The Whistler Blackcomb Freestyle Club doesn't believe in summer holidays for athletes, and is providing water ramp camps at Base II almost every weekend this summer. (Except for one weekend where they're hosting a mogul skiing camp on the glacier.)
"This is where the athletes learn to jump," said WBFC head coach Nic Bazin. "You need to qualify your maneuvers on the water ramp before you can go on snow and train them, and we use our air sites on the glacier that are safer for athletes to train those maneuvers some more. When they're good, they can hit the terrain park and show off a bit."
The club is already in good position to produce athletes for ski halfpipe and slopestyle, as they already spend time on those disciplines - and have one of the only superpipes in the province as well as the best terrain park. As well, the fact they have access to a water ramp makes the club unique.
"No other club in Canada offers that many days," said Bazin.
The ramp camps are open to anyone 10 and older whether you're in the club or not, provided you're at least an intermediate level skier - no experience necessary. The facility also includes two in-ground trampolines where skiers can practice their tricks before taking them to the water.
Wetsuits are recommended and helmets are mandatory for jumpers.
There have already been two camps. Available camps are July 9 to 11, July 22 to 24, July 29 to Aug. 1, Aug. 6 to 7, Aug. 12 to 14, Aug. 20 to 21, Aug. 27 to 28, Sept. 3 to 5, and September 10 to 11. The cost is $90 for one day, $125 for two, $187 for three, $250 for four and $800 for a season pass.
Moguls camps with the B.C. team are July 14 to 16, and July 18 to 20.
For more information visit www.whistlerblackcombfreestyle.com.
