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 O'Neill Snowboard Academy
This is the second year that the O'Neill Snowboard Academy has hit the slopes of Milton Keynes. It's not often you get a chance to be taught by some of the best snowboarders in the world.
From 6000 eager kids, only 72 were to be invited to the 2nd ever O’Neill Snowboard Academy, running 1st – 4th November at Milton Keynes. Students travelled from far corners of the UK - as you might expect - for the rare opportunity to ride with such legends as Gian Simmen and Stefan Gimpl, plus new-age rippers Thomas Harstad and Caroline Beliard and the UK's Laura Berry. Team O’Neill was flown into town for the sole intention of stoking these kids beyond belief. Of course, it isn’t all one way traffic, the parents of these kids must be congratulated for making – in some cases – a huge effort to bring their children. One particular group broke down outside of Carlisle. A subsequent AA assessment confirmed the worst, but so intent were they to attend, that the whole group travelled to Newcastle with the breakdown truck, hopped on a plane to Luton, then hired a car to Milton Keynes. Thwack of respect must go out to the guardian in charge. The kids get a day off school; learn to snowboard; get one-on-one from some of the best freestylers in the world; play games and a quiz which profits one lucky, and attentive student with a free O’Neill jacket; and generally have the time of their lives. How marvellously decent to drive money into a grass roots concept like this! Imagine the impact it has on thirteen year old Johnny from Cornwall. ‘Captivated by snowboarding’s appeal, yet unlikely to sample its delights (until self sufficient, that is), he randomly enters a competition; the next minute, Johnny’s being taught toe-edge turns from an Olympic Gold Medalist… Unfortunately following months of continual bragging, Johnny later becomes the most smug and resented lad in school’. O’Neill assist with motivation only, retaining decorum and modesty is the responsibility of the individual. Following the 3 days of learner camps, Team O’Neill shift their attention to honing the skills of the young up and coming talent as identified through the Orange AIM Series which happens to be in association with O’Neill. It would seem they are undeniable doing their bit for snowboarding in the UK. To accompany the impressive array of rails and boxes, Gavin Learmouth and key Xscape staff constructed a reasonable size kicker on which to examine the young protégés aerial manoeuvres. Coming as a shock to most jibber snappers, the days training started with a dual slalom race. Though the thought of racing friends never fails to excite, the real purpose behind this exercise was to expose the necessity for the kids to practise carving both regular and switch. A practise never truly experienced on artificial surfaces. Module 2, and the kids were let loose on the rails. Displaying deft skills and youthful courage/ignorance they duly impressed the likes of Thomas Harstad, stating, ’the standard of rail riding is as strong if not stronger than I’ve seen anywhere before for a group of this age’. Then it was onto the kicker, which like the slalom racing, exposed the symptomatic problems to be expected from the lack of decent kicker facilities in venues around the UK. The enthusiastic youth are there, they just need the facilities I promise you. Big Up the O’Neill Snowboard Academy, putting something back! The O'Neill Snowboard Academy event page can be administered by dunx (Dunx), stu (Stu Brass), spencer (Spencer Claridge) and office (Office). Page views: 6735 |
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