Our Campers thoughts

Michaela Ryan

Mon, 4 Jun 2007 12:37:23 +0200

After finding out about Our Camp and then having to wait almost a whole year to go on it, I can safely say my nerves were in tatters by the time the camp actually arrived. Would my riding be good enough? Would my shameful lack of fitness hold me back? Would I be oldest one there? Will I break any of my already starting to creek at the joint bones? (the list could go on and on.....) Wondering what I had let myself into on a very quiet chair lift up to the slopes on the first morning the other girls confessed that they were feeling the same - at least it wasn't just me then!

After splitting into small groups off we went following the pros like ducklings for their first swim, our first attempts were not pretty but up we got up, dusted off the snow and tried and tried again, gradually we got it. Fueled by the amazing encouragement you get from the pros our progress over the week was staggering. We hopped, jumped and spun around the park in no time at all - smiles as wide as our butts in impact shorts, we had changed from gibbering nervous wrecks to park jibbers (still learning the lingo but you know what I mean!)

As a group we initially bonded through sheer nerves but as the week unfolded and our fears faded away and a strong team spirit was born. We all did things we never thought we could do, we rooted as much for each other as we did for ourselves and every ollie, the tiniest bit of air, 180 and even a couple of 360's was greeted with screams of delight, every duff landing or smack down was felt by all. We laughed, we cried and all of us found out something new about ourselves and you don't get to do that every day.

If you are thinking about doing a camp - do it. The pro's will inspire you and get you through it. They are an amazing bunch of girls who haven't forgotten what it's like not to be able to do something, be the best rider on the hill or just plain scared! They will get you doing things by the end of the week you never thought possible and along the way you will have one of the most remarkable weeks of your life making friendships that will never be forgotten.

Tamara Diab

Sat, 26 May 2007 14:59:14 +0200

God, how on earth do I put my whole OUR CAMP experience into just 500 words? A week camp in Morzine AND two indoor events back in the UK?

I’d never done anything like this before, chalet holidays were out of the norm for me I was apprehensive, what if everyone didn't get on?
I was staying with a group of all girls so that could’ve gone either way. After the first evening where we had a warm welcome from the chalet staff we sat down A.A style and had a good chin wag as to how we all started boarding and which aspects we enjoyed the most. My nerves seemed to steady when I realized that everyone was in the same boat. We all had a passion for the sport itself and we’re looking to try out new things we’d never done before. All the girls I met that week we’re up for the challenge.

Over the week I could see our collective confidence grow. We started out small going from jumping over ski patrol sticks to natural hips on piste. All the while cheering each other on when we got it right, hugs & high fives all round when we face planted. Groups were kept small to get the maximum benefits of personal tuition. I think the largest group I was ever in was 4. These were swapped round on a regular basis for on piste tricks, 180’s etc which started out as across the horizontal of the slope itself then progressed to off the kickers the next day!

We used both the Avoriaz park and the smaller park the other side of the Pleny. They had different advantages; the Avoriaz park was busier but had more features for riders so we didn’t have to queue as long as we did in the Pleny park as it was smaller, though it had smaller kickers and a box which looked distinctly less intimidating than the one in Avoriaz.

I have to take my hat off to our coaches Gilly, Emma, Sonia & Jo. They really pulled out all the stops to make sure we had a great week not only as boarders but as girls who were out there to have a great holiday. They put on yoga nights, Massage lessons to warm up the muscles in the morning & private champagne shopping sprees are to name but a few! They gave us continual support and their patience was endless. We used video analysis so we could see where we we’re going wrong & put their positive advice into action. Such an inspiring group of ladies who had nothing but words of encouragement for us even during the difficult times. There was constant support and encouragement to try things on the very first day that I didn't think we'd be doing till the third day. Everyone walked away with something new that they never expected to be able to do. I surprised myself more in one week than the entire time since I started learning.

When the group descended on the indoor slopes of Castleford and MK I wasn’t sure I could repeat the same confidence I’d shown while away. Indoor slopes had always made me nervous being so narrow and crowded. I have no idea why I panicked so much I was with the OUR CAMP ladies I should’ve known we’d dominate the slope. Safety in numbers and all that, the positive vibe rubbed off from one person to the next. I found that people were opening up to us as we cheered each other on. They were more likely to let you go first and acknowledge you as a beginner rather than push you the side as I’d found on previous freestyle nights.

I very nearly didn’t book onto the camp because of pure fear. I’m so glad I did as I can easily say it has been the best holiday (yes including non snow ones!) I've ever had. I made so many friends that week that are now some of my closest friends and its all thanks to OUR CAMP! See you next year!

The Girls on Our Summer Camp

Tue, 5 Dec 2006 18:00:58 +0100

‘The Survival Camp’
We would just like to say a big thanks to Gilly and
Emma and not forgetting Calli- the ‘Lady with the voice!’
All we can say is how much we appreciate you pushing
us and helping us to progress so far in snowboarding,
which we wouldn’t acheive without you talented
and outstanding Ladies. With the biggest hearts
you are the most patient people, if we got it wrong once
you would send us WALKING straight back up that hill
in the hot weather just so we could move to the next step.
Even if we were scared or hurt, you looked after us and
gave us the confidence to never give up.
Well, thats about it now, while the tears are still dry,
we love you and will miss the ‘nice shouting’ from you all,
thanks for being there, we really enjoyed it.

Love, ‘The Accident Prones’

Angela Corpe

Sat, 11 Nov 2006 17:42:47 +0100

‘’I had a great time, laughed till I cried,
learned to live with my super-sized
backside ... courtesy of protector shorts
(and quite possibly two men called
Ben & Jerry) and met the nicest,
most supportive bunch of girls you could
wish to meet ...don't think about it for a year
like I did - do it now and
get involved!

If you're the sort of girl who wants to be the best and beat everyone on the
piste ... don't bother.
If you're the sort of girl who laughs when other people fall over or
spectacularly stack down the mountain ... don't bother.
If you're the sort of girl who can laugh at yourself when you fall over, who
wants to have fun, who wants to see more girls on boards in parks, who has a
bit of bottle but is still a little bit scared ... BOTHER!’’
-Angela Corpe, Our Camper, April 06.

Sal Argent

Thu, 2 Nov 2006 20:20:06 +0100

Calli Paice Regular Our Camper

Thu, 2 Nov 2006 19:41:05 +0100

‘’I found Our Camp to be fun and
professional.
Gilly, Emma and Sonia have a way of
teaching that makes things as easy to
understand as possible, whilst still
maintaining high motivation and energy
within the group. Their immeasurable
patience gets the best out of you, and
they take no prisoners! Which is the only
way any of us are going to improve our
riding,
with a little bit of a push!
I've been to 3 already,
and i'll be going again’’