If hanging with mountain biking’s biggest names, watching all the action from the VIP areas, or having free access to Summer Gravity’s activities sounds like heaven, then becoming a volunteer for the Festival might be right up your alley.
Gravity organizers are looking to fill 470 shifts from July 12 to 20. Crews for course preparation and pull-down, course marshals, a fencing and banner team, registration people, expo hosts and first aid-ers are just some of the jobs up for grabs.
While most positions require no more than a healthy attitude, a sense of fun and good team spirit, a few others need some special skills – like first aid.
There’s a job for a French speaking co-announcer at the Tim Horton’s Mountain Bike National Championships, and people who know their mountain biking terms backwards are needed as assistants for the announcers. These mountain bike fans will be relaying the action play-by-play on the courses via radio.
Volunteers will receive special t-shirts, lunch and a bike pass for each day they work. A wrap party at the end of the event will hand out prizes such as forks, disk brakes and bike park passes.
A volunteer sign up and information night will be taking place on Tuesday, July 8 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the old Death By Chocolate site (Delta Whistler Resort building across from the Whistler gondola). Forms are available now on-line or from the office upstairs at the Whistler gondola base.
Summer Gravity volunteer coordinator Gillian Tiffin said there are a lot of personal and professional benefits from volunteering.
"It’s a great way to meet new people and get involved in the mountain bike world. With the National Championships at the end of the week, there’ll be some big names in mountain biking in town so as part of the on-site crew you’ll get lots of opportunities to meet these riders. Volunteering always looks good on a resume and can be a great way to network".
Any time people can give would be greatly appreciated for the inaugural event, however "anyone who can give us six hours a day for two days will have the chance to win a brand new Rocky Mountain Grind mountain bike. For every day worked beyond the first two, another entry will be put in," said Tiffin.
The complete list of volunteer positions and a sign up form can be found at www.whistlergravity.com or send an email to [email protected] .
There is also a volunteer hotline. Phone 604-935-5584 and leave a message with your experience, phone number and the best time to call back.
RISE premieres at mountain bike festival
What: RISE film premiere
Where: Garibaldi Lift Co.
When: Wednesday, July 16
Mountain bikers share a common bond that transcends religious backgrounds, income levels, education and even riding style. It’s all about the simple love of riding and a new film call RISE captures the spirit of the sport.
Featuring World Cup stars trying to squeeze a tenth of a second
off their best time and after school rippers jumping a backyard road gap, RISE is trying to show how mountain biking means something different to every rider.
MTB Films and RISE invites you to fasten your seatbelt for nonstop action at the July 16 world premiere.
The movie night will be hosted by Zero Ceiling, a Whistler based charity that brings disadvantaged youth from the city to the mountains to snowboard, mountain bike and partake in cool outdoor activities. Tickets will be $10. See www.whistlergravity.com for more details.
