Now that it is the end of summer I am back home and have some photos to share. I spent some of my summer in Park City Utah. I joined a summer camp at the Utah Olympic Park to learn freestyle jumping. In the summer time this is a world class training site for teams from all around the world. I was lucky to have some great coaches and meet some Olympians.
I even brought Mrs. Yollis' Panda for a visit:
Notice the small jump behind me. It is called the mini and everyone starts here. We then get to go on the big one which is the furthest right of the three. Only the professionals go off the 3 on the left.
First they give us wetsuits, lifejackets, helmuts, boots and skis to wear. The object is to learn how to do different jumps without getting hurt. At first I was nervous but each time I went off the jump it got easier.
Here I am going off the jump. I am practicing a Spread Eagle jump:
Finally after many days of practice I am ready for the BIG jump. Its called the single it is the jump on the far right. When you jump they make bubbles in the pool so you have a soft landing:
I was really nervous to go on the big jump, but my coaches said I was ready. It seemed like I was so high up.
See the little black spot at the top? That is me!
Here is a video of my favorite jump. My goal was to go off the single jump and attempt a 180. This is turn in the air. I wasn't sure I would be able to do it but after many tries and good coaching I reached my goal.
I learned that even when something seems impossible if you keep trying you can do it.
What did you do this summer?
Did you learn anything new?
