Most of those attending a contest at Horseshoe Valley Resort on the weekend got to live their dream.
“Yeah, it kind of does feel like you're flying,” said Emma Brearley, 13. “It feels magical.”
The Gravenhurst snowboarder, who has been doing this for six years, said she likes to compete because she gets a chance to do bigger things.
“Through snowboarding I get to travel places ... I'm going to Banff for a trip,” said Brearley.
The Vans High Standard Series held an all-day event at the local ski resort, where 80 snowboarders from around the area and beyond competed for glory, prize money, and a chance to compete in the series upcoming finals. There was no cost to enter the competition.
The travelling series that has been running since 2012 makes four stops in Canada, two in the United States, as well as one in China, South Korea and Russia, said Jamie Kendall, project coordinator for the North America series.
“It's a day for everyone to come and snowboard,” she said. “We're really just pushing creativity, for all ages. Everyone is welcome.”
The two competing categories were 15 and younger and 16 and older. A third category, called 30+, was included to encourage parents of the snowboarding kids to participate in a non-competitive manner.
Every snowboarder in the two age categories won five Horseshoe Resort dollars for each successful trick they landed, said Kendall.
“There are cash prizes for the Van Doren Best Trick in the two competing age categories,” she said. “A male and female MVP get an all-expense paid trip to the finals, details for which will be announced in the next two weeks.”
There's also a consolation prize for the most improved and worst bail, added Kendall.
As well, she said, each snowboarder gets a free chairlift ticket, free waffles, and a lunch voucher.
Being in a competition like this gives one a chance to learn new tricks and practise them, said local snowboarder Maddox Matte.
“It's so fun,” said the 11-year-old Oro-Medonte resident. “It's my favourite. It is dangerous but I still like it.”
When he flies down the hill, said Matte, he’s only focusing on one trick at a time.
“I want to try and get it and if I fall, I'm just going to try again,” he added.
It’s a fun way of making some money, said snowboarder Madison Gale.
The Barrie resident, who started snowboarding four years ago, was competing in the 16 and older category today.
“The fun thing about it is that you're constantly with the people you're competing with and you make the best friends,” she said. “You never don't want to be at the hill. And when you come down the hill, you feel really free and nothing is going through your mind. It's a good space to be in and clear your mind.”
Some snowboarders were returning to their home turf.
“This is home resort for me,” said Tylor Allen, who grew up in Barrie but lives in Sudbury. “It's always a really good time getting back on the hills, especially at a place I'm familiar with. They do change it up every now and then, but for the most part it's still home. It's really fun when they throw events like this and bring the community together.”
And it’s easygoing competitions like this that give snowboarders a chance to just enjoy the sport.
“I see a lot of talent here,” said Ben Poechman, who is a Vans athlete and was flown in from Whistler. “This is where I grew up riding, so it's cool to see it has changed so much.”
To him, this contest is about having fun.
"This is a perfect example of how you keep it fun and nurture the community and enjoy nature,” said Poechman.
Horseshoe Resort, which was hosting the event for the first time, wants to make it a repeat event, said Dan Loeb, director of recreation at the resort.
“It is something that is important to us to profile higher levels of snowboarding and skiing at our resort,” he said. “It creates some animation as well for spectators at the resort to take in and enjoy it. It's really high-level riding so it's really cool to see.”
