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No Comments [ Add Comment ]Baby Powder
By Victoria JohnsonThey weren't all toddlers, but Saturday's Grom Fest gave the 10-and-under crowd an exciting day on the slopes
EDEN -- Snow and kids were flying in every direction Saturday morning with the first 10 and under ski and snowboard competition at the Powder Mountain ski resort.
The competition, called the Grom Fest, was designed specifically for younger skiers and boarders who previously could compete only if they qualified for adult events. It included a short slalom race and a mini-freestyle competition, complete with pint-sized jumps and rails.
"We built it tiny for the kids," event organizer Dave Jessup said. "They've always had to compete at the adult level, but here they're the stars of the show."
Jessup is the terrain parks director for Powder Mountain, and supervised the construction of the smaller slalom and freestyle courses.
The term "Grom" originated with surfing, he explained, and stands for a young surfer. For this event, the term was adopted for young snowboarders and skiers.
The 28 competitors ranged in age from 2 to 10 years, with the youngest riders guided by a parent skiing ahead of them or behind them with the help of a harness.
Kat Wait, camera in hand, waited at the bottom of the run as her 5-year-old son Conrad carefully negotiated the slalom course.
"He loves it. We started him skiing at 2," she said.
Conrad's dad led the way down the course, staying about 10 feet ahead of his son, who took a spill about halfway down. Helped up by his dad, the two finished the run and were greeted by a high-five from Conrad's mother.
"You did awesome!" she said.
It was Conrad's first competition.
The youngest competitor was Vincenza Collins, who at just 21/2 years old started skiing this year.
The crowd cheered the loudest as she "raced" down the course held up by her dad holding onto her ski harness.
"Go, Vinny!" they yelled.
The kids, wide-eyed and cherry-nosed by the time they reached the bottom, seemed to enjoy the attention they received from all the adults.
"It was fun!" 6-year-old Costas Russell said at the conclusion of his race.
Jessup emphasized that fun is what it is all about. Two sets of skis and two snowboards served as prizes for the winners, but every child received a gift and a hot-dog lunch for participating.
Organizers said they hope Grom Fest will be as successful in years to come and will help encourage young people to try skiing and snowboarding.
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