Lake Placid - Freestyle Clinic!!

[SnowHot]

Lake Placid Free Style Clinic!
When the snow melts and turns to water, what does a down hill skier do?
They fill a pool, and jump in it!
*This thread was created from some great discussion in the Gear thread where MSL showed her beautiful new skis, next to the water.

:D (this smily seemed appropriate, given what's below, for color)
Introducing...The Green Hornets!

Is it winter yet?
Come on in, the water's..................................cold............

You could go with Paul Jones to jump camp where they jump into water!!!

 

[MaineSkiLady]

You could go with Paul Jones to jump camp where they jump into water!!!

Ummmmmm......one person in the family doing this is enough. Thank you.

 

[num]

Congrats, MSL! I'm looking forward to the review.

 

[skiso]

I can't resist a comment here: I really like the looks of the 2006/07 Dynastar Legends and Exclusive Legends, and I think the green is very cool. (Almost as cool as the the pool!) Good move!

 

[SnowHot]

Ummmmmm......one person in the family doing this is enough. Thank you.

That is soooooooo cool!
Paul's family got him the experience for Fathers day!
He's pretty excited about it!

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Are they going to Lake Placid? That's where this took place. DS has gone half a dozen times, mostly with PSIA. This year, the only jump event being offered with PSIA will be in mid-Sept - nothing in July this year :( - and he won't be around for it.

 

[SnowHot]

Are they going to Lake Placid? That's where this took place. DS has gone half a dozen times, mostly with PSIA. This year, the only jump event being offered with PSIA will be in mid-Sept - nothing in July this year :( - and he won't be around for it.

Yup, Paul is going to Lake Placid. The thread on epic is here
He is one of my buddies in Epic. I really adore him, and am glad he has the chance to do this.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Just read it. Wow, they are going to have a BLAST! All advice given is good: shorter skis, straight as possible, dull edges, Gulf wax. Boots - who knows. Pro-Tec multi-use helmets are best. Newbies may be required to wear elbow and knee pads now?? Not sure. Hope this includes pre-ramp trampoline training. It really is important.

This is a group shot from a session, maybe you can tell something about boots people are wearing and pass info on?

 

[Kiragirl]

Is that John Travolta in the front row, second from the left?

 

[SnowHot]

Thanks MSL. I posted a link to this for Paul on Epic!
If it weren't such a drive for me, I'd love to do this.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

More Lake Placid fun:
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13j5gI9w30A"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13j5gI9w30A[/ame]

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Some pictures of the facility:

Four ramps at the Kodak Sports Park - the one generally used for clinics of this kind is the second one from the left in picture, shown here with its "spoiler bar" raised (for extra air). The 2 larger ramps are used by Olympic team members for freestyle aerial training and exhibitions.

This photo shows early a.m. testing of the aerators, which "soften" the iimpact of landing. Again, spoiler bar is raised and usually not used for recreational jumping.

Pre-jump preparation involves trampoline practice. Here the group is getting ready to practice flips and safe landings. Generally, the first morning is spent on the trampolines and going over other safety issues. Most mornings are spent warming up here.

Much more info available on request! An absolutely fascinating experience just to watch - and a town not to be missed for anyone accompanying participants.

Can't miss the place: it's right on the edge of town, next to the Nordic ski jumps that are so huge, they have aircraft strobe lights on them.

 

[SnowHot]

Part of me would love to do that, and another part of me knows that my real user name is Trek-Chick-en!

 

[vanhoskier]

Ah come on Snow Hot, you'd do it and you know it!! Phil told me that one needs to use old ski boots because the liners get saturated (duh). Not sure I'd want to do that to my good boots that I love so much.

I've been to the Kodak Sports Park in summer AND in winter and it's really cool to watch the jumps. The freestyle competitions in the winter are fantastic. I love Lake Placid! Where we stay looks out on the ski jumps and their blinking aircraft warning lights.

Will be back up there in August for some hiking and rock climbing, but no jumping!

 

[SnowHot]

Ah come on Snow Hot, you'd do it and you know it!! Phil told me that one needs to use old ski boots because the liners get saturated (duh). Not sure I'd want to do that to my good boots that I love so much.

I've been to the Kodak Sports Park in summer AND in winter and it's really cool to watch the jumps. The freestyle competitions in the winter are fantastic. I love Lake Placid! Where we stay looks out on the ski jumps and their blinking aircraft warning lights.

Will be back up there in August for some hiking and rock climbing, but no jumping!

Do I see a double dog dare?
I'll do it if you do it

 

[MaineSkiLady]

I will NOT let DH see this dare!! He has been intrigued by and half-threatening to do this for his PSIA ed requirement for awhile now (since DS started doing LP in 04). And registration for the mid-Sept event is open til late August!! Ummmm, I don't think so, dear hubby Not at his age....

As for boots, a great fit isn't necessary - adequate will do. No, using one's regulation boots isn't altogether recommended. (UNDERSTATEMENT) Get something, if nowhere else, at a thrift store or Play It Again Sports or similar. Just get an adequate fit. No turning or edging will be necessary. It's just hold the ski flat and straight. Also, don't opt for the nice neoprene ski vest. Get the old fashioned super-padded ones. The impact is, well, not soft. (Anyone who does any water sports will concur.)

The ramp material is long-ish astroturf, and falling on it is NOT recommended, as it imparts some serious road rash.

I've seen some wear wetsuits, but it depends on personal tolerance to cold water. The pool water is nippy. But it feels good on a hot day. The 2 days I spectated, it must have been 90+ both days. I wanted to jump in (NOT from the jump!). Also, heads up, spectators: THERE IS NO SHADE!! BRING UMBRELLA and/or heavy duty sunscreen!!

I just had an absolute blast there, did the whole Olympic venue tour first thing in the a.m. (beat the crowds, it gets busy there in summer). Did the Bobsled run, what a hoot. One of the best short vacations ever.

Highly recommended.
A+++

 

[BackCountryGirl]

I did the PSIA clinic 3 times (2x in 2006 and 1x in 2007) and it was a total blast. I had the most fun on skis, enjoyed feeling fear again, and loved showing off my old gymnast tramp skills. (Lots of the boys and men were newbies at that.) MSL, I didn't do it last year so I didn't meet your son. If anyone wants details, pm me. I plan to go to the September PSIA event, I think.

 

[BackCountryGirl]

I dug out this picture from 2005. I'm in the middle, in blue.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

^^ Great pic, bcg, BIG group - and I recognized Mickey S --- was this the July or Sept event? Really glad you enjoyed it!

It's my son who has participated in this since it started up in 04 (DH veto'd by "voice of wisdom" - me). He went to both sessions in 05 (and also did some private/semi-private sessions) but missed 06 due to knee surgery and rehab. He was there last July (07).

He's disappointed that only one session is being offered this year, and in Sept, as he won't be able to attend -- and has come to count on this training as part of his Ed. credit for PSIA-E. Sure wish there was a July session this year :( - I'd like to go back and watch!

 

[BackCountryGirl]

MSL: I figured out it was your DS, and not your DH. (So, I did a quick thread edit.) The pic I posted is from the July 2005 clinic. I went 2x that year. The last time I went was July 2006. Your son and I were there at the same time. But your son is a boarder, right? So, we would have been in different groups and may not have connected. Dave Lynch did the boarders . Does your son know that Dave made the National Demo team?