"Learn to Fly Wednesday" Clinics Soar to Early Success!

Come February, the international spotlight will be focused on NYSEF alum Bill Demong and his teammates on the US Nordic Combined squad in Vancouver. But on Wednesday evenings in January, the spotlights are pointed squarely at the youngsters scrambling up the snowy steps of the McKenzie-Intervale K-18 meter hill. As part of the new “Learn to Fly Wednesdays” series run through the New York Ski Educational Foundation, young athletes six years of age and older have the opportunity to enjoy a safe, fun introduction to the exciting sport of ski jumping.

With the allure of free snacks and hot cocoa in the base lodge, skiers are first taught the fundamentals of inrun and body position in a small “ski-play” area. From there, youngsters progress to a small K-5 bump before evenutally moving up to the K-18 meter, allowing athletes to soar up to 60 feet. With over thirty participants in each of the first two clinics, NYSEF ski jumping coaches Evan Bliss and David McCahill couldn't be more enthusiastic. “It's all about fun here at Learn to Fly Wednesdays”, said Bliss. “This season we noticed a drop in participation for our introductory Grasshopper program, so we schemed up these fun-oriented “Learn to Fly Wednesday” clinics as a fun, inexpensive way for kids to experience jumping”.

Reaching athletes for comment proved difficult as after carving a sharp hockey-stop on the outrun, most youngsters frantically shouldered their new oversize boards and bolted back to the top for another leap. But after triumphantly executing his first jump on the K-18 meter, Keene Valley native Aiden Daniels exclaimed, “It's terrific! Flying through the air-- it's the most exciting thing I've ever done!” Bill Demong beware, fueled by cocoa and snack mix, the next batch of local flyers will soon be hot on your heels!

The “Learn to Fly Wednesday” clinics will continue on Wednesday January 20th and 27th. The sessions take place at the base lodge of the McKenzie-Intervale complex from 3-5:30pm at a cost of $5 each. Athletes 6 years of age and older are welcome to attend and should bring a helmet, downhill ski boots and skis. As athletes progress, jumping equipment is provided free of charge. Contact Evan Bliss at blisster101@yahoo.com for more information.