Park & Pipe athletes set up camp on the airbag

Some of the most-talented skiers and snowboarders in the country came together earlier this month for the much anticipated Park & Pipe Pathway Airbag Camp at the National Snowsports Training Centre.

Twenty-five athletes participated in the three-day camp with structured coaching advancing athletes’ technical areas from fundamentals through to advanced end trick vocabulary.

The camp included six airbag sessions which provided the athletes with the continuity required for skill acquisition & refinement, before bringing their newly-mastered tricks to snow.

“It’s rare to have such a range of athlete levels from club level through to high performance training and pushing each other in the one setting,” said Ben Bond, Snow Australia Performance Health & Talent Manager.

“You can almost see athletes progressing in front of your eyes in environments like this. It’s organic and enjoyable to watch.

“Park & Pipe is an inherently risky discipline, so we pay close attention to warming up well, fuelling appropriately and recovering like a pro.

“The more time these young athletes stay available to train and compete injury-free, the more stable progression trajectory and longevity in their sports.”

The camp also included a park and pipe community dinner and sessions on judging education, coach development and a parents pathway education session.

Two-time Crystal Globe winner Valentino Guseli said the NSTC is providing the perfect training facility for park and pipe athletes to advance their skills in a small amount of time.

“Some of the groms are really coming along,” he said. “Having the airbag here is such a luxury, and allows us to spend some time and cut some laps with each other.”