Date: 19th of December 2007

Hi Everyone,

Just about everyone bounced out of bed this morning in order to make sure they were on time to get first tracks in the powder that fell last night. Normally there is two and three wake up calls and the coaches are pushing everyone to be on time but this morning the coaches had to hurry in order to keep up. There was not a lot of snow  overnight but it snowed heavily yesterday afternoon after the lifts closed and combined with the new areas opening this morning it was looking like being the best day of skiing / riding so far.

The boarders were quick to get into it this morning and everybody was pumped because of the fresh snow. Kane changed into his baggy pants today and was bragging about how "gangsta" he looked only to discover that he had left his pass in his other pants. Jack also changed pants and left his pass at home as well. While the boys went to get their passes the rest of the group had a powder run down the six to warm up. One run later the group was back together and the guys headed over to Attridge to beat the crowds (as it turned out the only people they were trying to beat were the other AWSC athletes - there were absolutely no crowds). The powder on Attridge was amazing there was over 40cms on the ground in places and it was easily the deepest snow many of the athletes had ever ridden definitely the highlight of the camp so far. The guys were a little late into lunch today as many of the kids who hadn't ridden much powder were constantly getting stuck.

After lunch the group headed out to film some of the jibs they had been hitting earlier in the week. Everybody was on a high after their morning and very keen to progress and Kane and Jack both stomped their nollie nose taps on the tree jib. They also managed to get a few nice front 3s off the cat track hit and Jay also landed his frontside 360s down the cat track. Jordy had a go at a few backside 180s and even landed one on his board – good job!  Nate did a few nice 180s and almost a 360 while all the rest of the group landed a new trick for the first time. Rowan is progressing really quickly and threw his first cab 180 today and both Jamie and Oli landed their first frontside 360.  If the guys keep progressing like this they will be pro's in no time. Jamie had the trick of the day today with a really lofty frontside 180 indy over a natural hip.

Chris and his freeriders were first out the door for the new snow and did a quick warm up run on Whiskey Jack and a stretch at the bottom.  They then headed straight over to Attridge which opened for the first time today. The pretty much had first tracks in the pow which was quite deep in places. Amy, Lauren and Bassett all made great improvements in the deeper snow and by the end of the session all the girls were starting to build a consistent rhythm and learning how to play with their balance in the snow.  Conrad was charging hard, jumping off everything he could find and everyone had a couple of nice face plants in the fresh snow which kept the all laughing.

In the afternoon they headed out with a new member Hamish eager to make his first turns of the camp.  They headed up the six and hit a few warm up laps on the jib run and Chris had the video out so he was filming the hits.  Conrad and Hamish were lighting up the tree bonk with l80 to stall 180 off and young Max was all over the shop 180ing off everything.  He even nailed a couple of 3’s.  The girls were working on their pops and switch skiing and everyone had a great day!

Sam, our lone racer for the first couple of weeks trained this morning with the Vernon Club. During the morning session they did plenty of drill working on their fore and aft balance and then in the afternoon worked on their technical freeskiing. The racers are on a slightly different training schedule so Sami will be on a full days training tomorrow.

The day began well for the bumps skiiers with the fresh snow providing some great turns on and near Attridge. After two runs the group headed for the air site where the Australian National and Sub Development teams were training. The group began with some T sets getting a feel for the site. Brodie, Jack and Bryn were getting some good air time while Brighid and Kate got a feel for the landing hill. It was a great morning of progression for Kate who will start taking some air onto the site in the coming days. The boys also made some good headway with their form in the air.

After lunch the group decided to head to Silver Woods and Attridge to get some face shots and video footage. Jack took a massive dive into the snow which was luckily caught on camera – See Pinky for the day! Brodie and Bryn were getting some good turns in while Kate worked on her pow technique. The group had a competition of who could ski the furthest switch in the pow before they inevitably crashed. After a quick run though Silver Queen the group stopped off at Bean to Cup for a hot choc and video analysis. Many laughs were had by all. A great day in the Silverstar pow. 

Tonight's activity was Nintendo Wii night, it turned out to be hilarious with all the group going as a group of gaming nerds there mathematicians and statisticians and they all dressed the part (look for the photo on the web). The game tonight was boxing on a massive projector screen. Watching the game play was pretty boring but it was so funny to watch all the guys dance and jump around throwing air punches with the motion controllers. Jordy,  Bryn and Beggsy were all victorious in their fights.

We did our annual Kris Kringle name draw today. Each person draws a name out of the hat and has to buy them a Christmas present. We set a $10 limit which always seems to make the presents more entertaining.

Pinky today goes out to Jack Thorburn who got his sports confused today. While everyone else in the group thought they were in Canada to ski, Jack decided that he wanted to go diving!!!!! Check him out here. Honorable mentions go out to Kane and jack for forgetting their passes this morning.

Tonight's activity was Nintendo Wii night, it turned out to be hilarious with all everyone going and dressed up as a group of gaming nerds. (look for the photo on the web tomorrow). The game tonight was boxing on a massive projector screen. Watching the game play was pretty boring but it was so funny to watch all the guys dance and jump around throwing air punches with the motion controllers. Jordy, Bryn and Beggsy were all victorious in their fights.

Tonight’s activity was a pilgrimage down to the NATC for a Nintendo Wii Games Night. The Wii is the current game of the moment and Beggsy and a good crew down there trying out the different games.

Our first movies for the camps have gone online today. Ridley, Chris and Beggsy all took footage of their groups today and hopefully we’ve just about got a clip of everyone, if not it will only be a few days before we have everyone covered.

We had another couple of shuttle head off the hill down to Vernon this afternoon with Chris and myself piloting the vans. With KK names in hand everyone spread out in search

Dinner tonight was spaghetti bolognaise, a camp favorite served with a mixed salad and some of the most garlicy (I don’t think that’s a word) garlic bread I’ve ever tasted – hopefully it will keep us all healthy! Chocolate or vanilla ice cream and some of Emma’s famous butterscotch ‘goop’ was for dessert.

As mentioned in yesterdays update, tomorrow is a ½ day off for the crew. Beggsy and the snowboarders are taking a sleep in and the morning off while Chris and Ridley’s groups are taking the afternoon.

Stowie