 This semester has been a series of first time experiences
for me, including (but not limited to) four-wheeling, seeing the Grand Canyon,
paint-balling in Utah, and most recently, snowboarding. It just seems like the
right thing to do - go snowboarding while you're in Colorado.
So, this past Saturday, Josh, Aaron, and I headed to
Eldora--armed with passes (which were generously loaned to us by Tri-City
Baptist Church), our snow clothes, and high hopes. Over the past two weeks, I
received many comments from people on how I would respond to my first time on a
snowboard. Most were pessimistic (or honest) and told me I'd fall all day, hate
it, and would be sore for a week. Others were more kind, yet maybe not quite as
truthful, in telling me I might actually enjoy it. I just had to find out for
myself.
After the drive to Eldora, Josh and I got our snowboards
(Aaron opted for skis), and we hit the slopes. Aaron went to do some runs for
about an hour while Josh took me to the infamous bunny slope. There, he taught
me the basics, amidst four-year olds flying down the hills with perfect
heel-to-toe-edge action. Getting off the ski lift was definitely one of the
biggest challenges of the day--eventually I was able to get off without falling
and blocking the whole lift exit. As we started our first descent, we quickly
discovered that I didn't have a problem with pointing my board down the hill
and picking up speed-- my problem was steering to miss the toddlers having
their ski lessons, and stopping at the bottom. After the first run, I was
pretty comfortable with staying on my heel edge, and therefore avoiding flying
down the hill at top speeds. However, learning toe-edge did not come so easily.
There were about three good falls throughout the day-- all of them in those first
two runs on the bunny slope. I'll never forget the feeling of hitting the
packed snow so hard that my head and back bounced off. For that brief moment,
you think you've died (or are at least paralyzed)...and then, alas, you realize
you are still very much alive and you will be in much pain when that fall sets
in.
Several times, I wanted to give up, but I would not! Josh
was a very patient and helpful teacher, so after that hour of practice, and a
few more runs on my own, I felt ready to tackle a blue as my last run of the
day. I wouldn't say I soared effortlessly down the hill, but I didn't fall; and
so once I got to the bottom, I was able to honestly say that I had enjoyed my
first time snowboarding. Though bruised and battered, I realized that there's a
first time for everything, and it only gets better from there. I can't say I
was so optimistic when I woke up the next morning, and couldn't turn my head,
but now that the soreness has worn off, I'm thankful for the opportunity to
learn (also to Aaron and Josh for being so patient), and I'll be ready to hit
the slopes again, glad that a "first time" only comes once.
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