Freestyle Whistler has launched a "Friends and Family" fundraising campaign to obtain an advanced new sloped landing airbag for club use at the Gemini Freestyle Centre.
The facility's existing flat airbag is nearing the end of its life cycle after helping young athletes master thousands of new tricks over the years. Furthermore, the last decade has seen considerable progression in technology, with sloped airbags reducing impact more gradually than flat ones.
"With the help of Freestyle BC, we have partnered with the BC Amateur Sport Fund to help raise money to support our programs and facilities costs, including purchasing this new bag," said a club spokesperson in an email. "The BC Amateur Sport Fund can issue an official tax receipt for all qualifying donations from individuals of $20 or greater. Your donation will help cover the upgrade cost to our airbag training facility.
"The purchase of this [new] landing bag will significantly improve the training facilities and provide a platform for all age groups and abilities in the club to train progressively from beginner to high performance. The landing bag, unlike the flat bag which requires a single large jump, can support 2 or 3 takeoffs, allowing any skill-level athlete to use the bag, increasing overall athlete safety and lowering the mental barrier entry."
Freestyle Whistler has set a goal of $60,000, with all donations over $20 being tax-deductible.
See the new airbag in action here, and find the fundraiser here.
