Last Sunday at the Northern Michigan Ski Academy races on the NASTAR slope at Boyne Mountain, I discovered yet another silver lining to this "broken index finger" cloud I'm living under. It has slowed me down enough to allow me to absorb what other people at the resort are experiencing. And, Sunday, with some difficulty caused by my lack of dexterity, I was able to shoot some fun pics of the kids' racing scene.
You see, it's all – well, no, mostly – ok, partly, at least, about the racing. If you watch and listen closely, you'll notice the natural competitiveness that kids have. But it's really much more that that to these kids. It's the playground down the block – except this one is tipped up, chilled down, covered with white, and peppered with slalom gates to make it a challenge.
But the kids are out there just being kids. Making friends, jabbering a blue streak, trying to fit in, pushing their limits, learning about the world – but above all, just having fun being kids. And, with rare exception, the parents and coaches are standing back and just letting it all happen (a refreshing change from some of the scenes I have witnessed with "organized" ball sports).
I think the same can be said for all the kids' racing programs at BOYNE, including BART, CUSSA, Boyne Flyers, NASTAR, NMSA. Yes, the coaches are there to help the kids learn the sport and to help keep dangerous situations from happening, but appropriately, the first priority here is fun.
As you can see from this action photo of my daughter with some of her pals on Sunday, racing is fun, good exercise, and promotes great friendships. As you can also see, while she does enjoy her dance classes, it's obvious to me that ski racing is her true love . . . if she would just stop dancing and put her skis on.
Cary Adgate - BOYNE SnowSports Ambassador
