Not Just For Kids!

Posted by Ryan Sabol on January 3, 2010

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It may have been 30 or 40 years since you've hung upside down on a jungle gym during recess, but that doesn't mean you're too old to learn a backflip or pull off a 360 on skis.

Older athletes gravitate to Woodward at Copper for three main reasons: to sharpen skills, foster respect and, basically, reclaim their childhood.

“They have a little unfinished business,” said Woodward coach Chris Pappas. “They (say), ‘I didn't get to do that when I was young, so I'm going to try that (now).'”

But when they see the 35-foot ski ramp for the first time, some people become a bit tentative.

Training adults differs from teaching kids in the sense that adults usually want to understand the process, whereas kids just run and jump right in, Pappas said. Woodward coaches promote safety through a series of progressive exercises and activities.

Within two hours of progressions, starting with trampoline work, it's not unusual for an older, strong intermediate skier to hit fairly large ski jumps, then land in the cushy foam pit, he said. “You can try something a little crazy and know that you're (basically) safe,” he said.

In fact, Pappas, who's 46, recently tried a double flip off the Snowflex ramp, just to assure himself he can do it. He doesn't plan to take the trick out to the hard-packed landings on the mountain, but he enjoys the confidence boost of catching indoor air, with soft landings.

Older participants learn about awareness of their body in the air, and it makes them more comfortable with smaller jumps outdoors, he said. And, the training allows for a little fantasy.

“In my own head I'm the world champ … I get to be Shaun White for a minute,” Pappas said.

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