So, what’s been happening lately…?

Well, I have been practising a lot, managing to get a couple of new tricks. I have been concentrating on the rails as that is the next competition in the carpet burn series. Would like to say I have perfected a few but I don’t feel any trick is perfect, as you can always add a grab or a tweak and even get better landings. I have another practice session tonight where I have a couple of tricks I really want to learn. I will post a blog to tell you how this goes!

Also, two weeks ago saw the second round of the Carpet Burn Cup Series. This was a disappointing result as I didn’t get a podium finish but on the brighter side this was a racing competition and I am a freestyle snowboarder so can’t be too disappointed. At the moment I am currently sitting 3rd place in the Carpet Burn league table and I am hoping to move up a place after the rail competition. This competition is due to take place on the 24.03.10.

At the moment I am really looking forward to the Low Rider camp. It’s now only 2 weeks and 3 days away! This course will help to really improve my skills and also will give me a lot of experience – one of which will be travelling as for the first time I will be travelling alone. Furthermore, after we finish practising on the mountain we have dinner then get some lectures back in the chalet which will help with injury prevention and nutrition. Whilst out on this course I am hoping to meet some professional snowboarders as the Westbeach team will be out there along with Team GB rider Dom Harrington!! I honestly cannot wait!

But what’s happened more recently…?

Well on Monday I was at Hampden to attend the workshop! This was a great experience. At this I got to meet OLYMPIC MEDALIST David Carry!! Before the workshops had even begun David came over and sat next to me and Grant Donald and asked questions about our sport. I was shocked at his interest in my sport as being famous he really didn’t have to be interested. He also gave a really good talk during the workshop which didn’t just tell us how wonderful his life is, it also told us how difficult it was to get to where he is and the lows that he has faced getting there.

Another part of the workshop was working with journalist. This was fantastic! I found myself only being able to give one word answers at the start and being really nervous but by the end I was able to give longer sentences and being able to describe pictures and get my message across when asked different questions.

I was also made aware that Emma from the ASDA athlete team was a snowboarder herself. So Emma if you ever want a free lesson give me a shout! Also whilst at Hampden we got a free tour of the Museum and the Stadium! This was an extra bonus as I am also a keen footie fan! The day just kept getting better! But then, the day was over. I couldn’t believe that 5 hours had actually passed!

So it was out to the car park to switch on my phone and see what messages I had missed and literally as I switched it on I received a phone call from Granite Reef to tell me that my new Salomon snowboard and Bonfire salopettes and jacket had arrived! This was definitely my day!! So I quickly phoned my sister who very kindly went into the shop and picked them up for me and brought them to my house so they were there for my arrival home. Thanks sis!!

What’s next…?

Well the next task on my list of “things to do” is to phone Rosie and arrange a time to go in and tell her all about the workshop. Then hopefully arrange some sort of fundraising event with help from the hints and tips sheet that we got in our packs.

Finally,

I would like to say a big thanks to everyone who has left a message of support! It really does mean a lot to me and definitely inspires me to do well! Thank you all!

I would also like to say a big thanks to all the ASDA Athlete staff, Sports Aid staff, the journalists and David Carry for making the day one to remember!

A last thanks to family, friends and the staff at Aberdeen Snowsports Centre for all the support and effort being put in especially from my mum and dad who drive me back and fore to the slope and deal with me when I’m tired and grumpy after training. THANKS!!

Just back home from my first midday session in I don’t know how long! And if I’m being really honest, I don’t really miss them! Was slightly hotter today so the slope was running a lot slower, I was getting tired easier and everything just felt harder. But I have come home now and away to wax my snowboard so it is faster for when I head back down at night.

My dad was down with me today and was trying to film me on the slope and got a couple of photos as well. The filming is for a little edit that will be coming onto this blog soon once I have got enough footage and edited it all. So keep checking back for it! My dad, unfortunately, was just getting used to the camera today so he only managed to get one photo. But this photo is a really awesome one! I have sent for it to be uploaded so should be up soon.

I will post another blog later to tell you how I got on at night……

Just a little update on what happened tonight. After waxing my board and waiting for the temperature to drop slightly the slope was running a lot faster and I was able to work on certain tricks.

Most of my practice tonight was on the kicker (jump). This was because lately I have been focusing on rails and although the rail competition is the next round in the Carpet Burn Series the kicker round is still to come so I still have to practice for it. On the kicker tonight I mostly worked on my style. This is because anyone is able to throw a trick but judges will look for who looks to be in control and who has the most style.

So after three hours practice was finished, I headed back in to the changing roomand grabbed one of the goodness shakes we were given at the workshop in Hampden.

Tomorrow I am hoping to get up early and head to the gym. For snowboarding you don’t only have to practice on the slope you also have to do a lot of gym work to ensure your joints are strong, your balance is at a high level and most of all you have strong abdominal muscles as most of the spins and tricks I do use your abdominal muscles.