Hitting the slopes (literally)

I consider myself an athletic person. Over the years, I have built up my stamina and muscle through competitive sports, which makes it relatively easy to learn new activities. So naturally, I assumed learning how to snowboard would be a piece of cake.

I'll let you pause for a moment as I rewrite the last sentence.

So naturally [through experience], I learned how to snowboard would be a piece of cake humble pie.

Not quite as easy as I thought. I fell down every single time I got off the ski lift. I could not for the life of my figure out the whole "skating" thing. And just for future reference, if people tell me I will fall a lot ever again, instead of waving them off, BRING butt and knee pads. Seriously, I am bruised.

It took me 2 hours to get down the mountain the first time. I could not figure out how to stand up, much less how to stay up. Thank goodness for my dear friends Liz Flatau, Ethan, and Rico who coached me, encouraged me, and waited, waited, waited for me catch on.

And eventually, I did. Ethan told me to try getting up backwards, so that I was facing the mountain. And what do you know? It worked! I figured out how to snowboard toe-side first. Eventually, I ended up figuring out how to ride facing forward, so I could actually see where I was going :) It took a while, but at the end, I could ride forwards and backwards, as well as use speed control.

By this time, I was having a blast. Liz and I went down a few more slopes together, and I had a great time. I was so glad she was there because we were the only girls in our group. And we had the same ideas about when to take breaks because our legs were burning :)

At the end of the day, I'm sure my eyes were glazed over from the experience. I was so proud of myself for not giving up (which I was seriously considering during the first two runs down the mountain), and I got to see the fruits of my labor (aka falling over, constant muscle burning, tumbles, and freezing weather).

The "fruits" of my labor :)

I am the one who is sitting down in the beginning.

I am going reeeaally slow in the video because I hit a flat spot on the way down.

And of course, I had to fit a fall in somewhere.
Special thanks to Ethan for taping...

Everything pretty much worked out perfectly. The whole trip was spur of the moment for me- I literally found out about it the afternoon before and rented my snowboard that night. I prayed for protection that morning, and I have no injuries today, except the bruises and slight soreness in my shoulders. Everything pulled together beautifully and taught me (more) about patience, trust... and how to brave the ski lift :)

 

After a long (and fun) day of snowboarding at Bluewood :)

L to R

Ryan, Talon, Eric, Thomas (he sprained his wrist, but he said it was worth it :), Me, Liz, Ethan, and Rico

I can't wait for the next trip!

“What does it mean to be a snowboarder? It's about having fun, with your friends or by yourself. It's about pushing yourself to try new things and do the unexpected. Finally, and most importantly, it's about being creative.”Shaun White