another really bad idea – extreme tobogganing

“free sledding”

Who would think of such a thing?

The evolution of the Mad River Rocket began with renowned architect David Sellers and friends in Warren, Vermont. They set out to find a better way to slide down the hills of Vermont.

Their early ideas began with toboggans sliced in half and pinned together for rapid steering. They were heavy, big and had no control surfaces. They also tried to modify the cheap toy store sleds. They realized that in order to be safe and to see the changing terrain as you glide through the thick forests prevalent in Vermont, they had to develop a new type of sled.

Many of the experimenters with this new sled design were also kayakers and white water canoers. The similarities are strong. In white water you need to be high enough in the water to see ahead and you need to lean and brace for balance. They experimented with sled designs that incorporated the kneeling position, quickly added a knee strap and knew they had a design that would be highly maneuverable in powder snow. …

about

performance-sled.jpg

If you know what’s good for you, steer clear of these performance sleds by MAD RIVER ROCKET

Click PLAY or watch What I Kneed Extreme freesledding on YouTube:

(via Wicked Outdoorsy)

live – Arizona vs Utah in Phoenix

Sun-Devil.pngA small but enthusiastic crowd at the Wells Fargo Arena at ASU.

I’m sitting beside red clad UTE fans. Loud and proud.

Introductions. Light show starts. On the big screen is a highlights reel of the Arizona girls. VERY COOL.

For a $5 ticket, a great show. This is NCAA Women’s Gymnastics.

Despite the warlike lyrics, I sure do like the American National Anthem.

On with the competition …

First rotation Arizona on Vault. Good, not great. Meanwhile Utah rocked on bars, at least for the first 5 routines. Kristina Baskett 9.925 and Ashley Postell 9.9 … WOW.

I really had my doubts about Utah last year. But they look GREAT on bars this season.

Nicole Harris is a star with Arizona. Super clean bars for 9.875. Stick!

Utah opened vault with a sweet handspring front layout. I think it was former German National Champion Daria Bijak.

Laptop battery running low. I’ll post a summary of the meet later tonight.

Santa Monica Gymnastics Center closing

Sad news.

I had been forewarned by coach Michael, The Wordsmith from Nantucket, that his club in California might be closing. Now this is it. End of an era.

From Carol Luber, daughter of founders Al and Linda:

After 35 years of dedication to the sport of gymnastics, Santa Monica Gymnastics Center will be closing it’s doors. The culmination of years of hard work, blood, sweat and tears is not strong enough to take on the new breed of gymnastics schools that are opening everywhere. Mega-schools that run as many diverse programs as YMCA’s are popping up everywhere. My family did not want to change with the times. Al Luber wanted to coach gymnastics. …

We are having a Reunion and Celebration Party on Saturday, February 23 from 3-8 PM. We invite all friends and family of SMGC to reminisce and celebrate the long life we had bringing gymnastics to so many lives.

read more

And what’s happening with the Wordsmith? The man who’s done such a wonderful job documenting life at a regular gymnastics gym on his Gymnastics Crossing blog?

bday_5.jpg

Hear what he has to say: Santa Monica Gymnastics Center Comes to an End

ask Shayla Worley

Do you have a question you’ve always wanted to ask Shayla Worley?

198-shaylabysmith.jpg

Now’s your chance. She’s fielding questions submitted to Inside Gymnastics magazine.

The March/April issue will feature an in-depth profile of the 2007 World championship gold medal team.

Jason McElway – basketball hero with autism

A superb, heartwarming video is making the rounds by email:

One of the most inspirational stories I’ve ever seen. This is why I coach…to make an impact on young lives!

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Thanks Kathy Caine Grigor.

WeightVest.com

Not surprisingly, their main business is selling weight vests. Sport scientist Jeni McNeal keeps hers in the car, using it to increase body weight resistance during all sorts of exercises, especially hiking. But coaches certainly use them in the gym for advanced athletes.

Weightvest_25F300.jpg

WeightVest.com

Rhythmic gymnastics – funny TV commercial

How often do you see a TV ad featuring Rhythmic gymnastics?

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Thanks George.

confirmed – Arizona vs Utah Jan. 25th

I juggled my schedule in order to watch a big NCAA dual meet in Phoenix:

No. 3 Utah (2-0) makes its first road trip of the season – competing against No. 20 Arizona State (1-3) in Tempe, Ariz., on Friday, Jan. 25. The meet will be held in the Wells Fargo Arena starting at 7:30 p.m. MT.

Utah Utes

Leave a comment on this post if you will be there and want to meet up after the competition to chat.

want to go to the Beijing Olympics?

Former Chinese National Champion, Feng Yu, and U.S. Olympic and National coach, Don Peters have organized an exciting and affordable 12 night tour for the Beijing Olympic Games that is designed expressly for the gymnastics fan (however, fans of other sports can also be accommodated) …

Don.png

Beijing with Don