Toes Stepped on?
I had a couple of agitated phone calls from my last blog. I did not intend to imply any wrong doing, but wanted to simply ask for an open mind from some of our educators. One took offense that I was indicating someone was selfish in regards to keeping kids form the joy of skiing/boarding. Selfish in what way???? Was I saying that your coaching record took precidence over letting kids have freedom to choose activities that interest them........ activities by the way that are healthy recreation activities that can be enjoyed for a lifetime? If some feathers were ruffled..... so be it and maybe the need ruffled.
Anyway, too many people still associate skiing and broken legs as partners. That is thinking that goes way back to the 70's. Modern technology has taking skiing out of the dark ages. New bindings are incredible steps forward in the safety arena. Shaped skis now make it easier to ski safely. And speaking of skiing safely..... those who have taken a couple lessons quickly fall inot the statistical category where injuries are rare. More accidents per thousand happen in your own home.
Enjoy the weeknd.........ed
Anyway, too many people still associate skiing and broken legs as partners. That is thinking that goes way back to the 70's. Modern technology has taking skiing out of the dark ages. New bindings are incredible steps forward in the safety arena. Shaped skis now make it easier to ski safely. And speaking of skiing safely..... those who have taken a couple lessons quickly fall inot the statistical category where injuries are rare. More accidents per thousand happen in your own home.
Enjoy the weeknd.........ed
posted by Snowstar Ski Resort at
9:43 AM
4 Comments:
You have my support Ed; I learned to ski at 43 and have had several lessons. While not an expert I feel very comfortable on your slopes, not a broken bone, not even a bruise. If the high school game is more important than the athletes the coaches should be ashamed of themselves. Sometimes you have to tell like it is and let the feathers fall where they may!
By
Anonymous, at 3/11/06 2:39 PM
Ed - I'm with you. My brother and his wife won't let one of their kids ski because they are afraid that he may hurt himself and not be able to participate in the upcoming baseball season. It just makes me shake my head, but I guess that is because skiing has been such an intregal part of my life.
I object to this mentality on a couple of different levels:
First, (in my humble opinion) skiing is a amazing sport, which provides much needed time outside instead of inside the local mall or focused on a video screen. Did you hear that? In order to ski kids will spend time outside! Hurray! Richard Louv just wrote a book which is 'right on' - it's entitled THE LAST CHILD IN THE WOODS: Saving our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder. It explains the all of the benefits of playing outside....psychologically, developmentally, physically, etc. Check this book out! This generation of young people now have been diagnosed with NDD...so we've got a couple of choices, medicate them or let them ski! I say LET THEM SKI! Shame on school officials who do not see the benefits of this. If they want proof from an authentic source, with impartial research and investigative studies let them read this book and get back to me.
Second, skiing is a tremendous cardio and major muscle workout. Coaches should be singing the praises of the benefits of cross training. Have you ever been to a World Cup Down Hill Ski Race? Mike Alstott, Jerome Bettis and every other NFL running back would grow green with quadricep envy if they saw any of these downhill athletes. Two words: POWERFUL LEGS. This is just the tip of the iceburg...ask any physical trainer and they will inform you that skiing develops a strong core strength and promotes the development of many stabilizer muscles. I'm going to take a leap here because I'm not an exercise physiologist or certified in sports medicine, but I believe that individuals with increased core strength and stabilizer muscles actually prevent injuries.
Finally, skiing is a fun, socializing experience. In the age of the "overbooked teenager" running from soccer practice to Latin club to jazz band, it is amazing that kids can find time to have fun these days and socialize. Yvonne Chouinard, the founder of Black Diamond and Patagonia, wrote a book called "Let My People Surf" - proclaiming the benefits of letting people (in his case - his employees) have some fun....if this happens people can be more productive.
So there you go Ed...I'm getting off my soapbox now. Back to work. It's a lovely day in Jackson Hole...the snow is on the way! People have already been out on Teton Pass....SKIING. I guess that they didn't sign an agreement not to ski or board. Luckies!
Later Ed!
Carl
By
Anonymous, at 3/11/06 5:02 PM
The sad thing is this is the source of sports rage. The coaches are small minded enough that they believe that they can live through the accomplishments of the players. Get real, there's more to life than football, basketball, and baseball. I would rather have my children enjoying the outdoors and nature than running after a ball and getting their brains bashed in by another player.
By
Anonymous, at 6/11/06 10:05 PM
I was taught how to ski when I was 4 years old at Snowstar... I have never been injured while skiing... on the other hand... while at Rockridge- I severely sprained my ankle in basketball and tore my hamstring in track.
See you this Winter!
By
Anonymous, at 4/12/06 2:05 PM
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