Wvc Sports Schedule Postponed

Area Kids Put Words In Their Pets' Mouths

By JEN WATERS jenwaters@leader.net
 Friday, January 05, 2001 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 3 





Sometimes, the only way to learn is to fall on your face and be forced to
get back up again. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 This is especially true when learning to ski. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Eleven-year-old Jacqueline Gerson of East Brunswick, N.J., said skiing was
hard for her at first. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``I fell a lot at the beginning,'' said the sixth-grader, who started
skiing at age 8. ``You just get back up and try again when you fall. I don't
fall as much anymore. I knew it would be fun if I could really learn how to
ski.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Pat Larder, ski instructor at Montage Mountain in Scranton, aims to teach
the public how to ski correctly so they can avoid injury. The Learn-to-Ski
Package at Montage, for ages 11 and older, costs $40. It includes a beginner
area lift ticket, ski rental, and group lesson. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``The first thing you must do is find boots that accommodate your feet,''
said Larder. ``You should feel no pressure points on your feet. You also need
to dress properly, according to the weather. Definitely layer your clothes. A
hat is really important. A neck gaiter helps protect your face and neck. They
are better than scarves. It's nice to look nice, but I trade off being warm.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Larder also emphasizes the importance of proper eye gear. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``The reflection of the sun is more intense than being at the beach,'' said
Larder. ``You need goggles or sunglasses, as well as sun screen with
moisturizer. You can easily get sunburned or windburned.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 She also warns that frostbite is not something to be taken lightly. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``When your body reaches 95 degrees, you start to have hypothermia. You get
really red first. Then you become white with spots. You should come in and get
warm as soon as possible. Numbness and tingling are a sign of frostbite. Do
not rub harshly the frostbitten area of your body or run it under hot water.
If you are in pain, go to the ski patrol.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The correct length of skis is important to help the novice maneuver with
ease, said Larder. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``Start with a shorter ski. Short skis make it easier to turn, and turning
is the key to skiing. Shaped skis give you the best control.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Larder said the goal is to eventually ski in a parallel position. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``You start off skiing in a wedge position. Hopefully, you will work toward
skiing with both skis side by side. Constantly work on the perfect turns. To
turn, look in the direction you want to go. Turn both skis in that direction.
Be in control of your skis at all times. Ski in a forward position. Let
gravity be your friend.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Before you go down the mountain for the first time, Larder suggests
learning how to side step on skis, as well as making sure you know how to ride
a chair lift properly. She also mentions that beginners should ski on the
green trails, which are marked ``easiest.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``Side stepping is a way to climb the hill to introduce yourself to the
edge of the ski. Always make sure you keep your skis straight ahead while on a
chair lift. Don't stand directly in front of the chair lift after you get off.
Otherwise, you might get hit by the next skiers coming off the lift.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Learning to ski was easy for Rachel Cotrino, 17, of Brooklyn, N.Y. Cotrino
first began participating in the sport in the tenth grade. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``I've roller bladed before, so skiing wasn't that difficult,'' said
Cotrino, while relaxing in the Montage cafeteria. ``My second time on skis I
learned how to parallel ski. I've only been skiing three times. Today, I just
went snow tubing.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 G.H. Salazar, ski instructor at Jack Frost Mountain ski resort in
Blakeslee, said he teaches his students the importance of a good stance. The
Jack Frost Adult Adventure Discover Skiing package costs $50. The package
includes a beginner lift ticket, an unlimited lesson, and rentals. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``You should have a tall, open stance,'' said Salazar during a ski lesson.
``Skiing starts from the feet up. Turn both feet and use both feet to complete
turns. Make sure you hold your poles in front of your hips, but below your
elbows. Keep the pole baskets behind you. If you hold the poles in front of
you, and you fall forward, you could impale yourself. Don't try and stop
yourself with a pole. Always turn to stop.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 If Salazar had his way, every beginning skier would take lessons. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``If more people took lessons, we'd have a substantial reduction in
collisions and accidents,'' he said. ``People who don't take lessons are the
ones who need them the most. Accidents happen when people don't have respect
for the sport. The skier in front of you always has the right of way, but you
should always look up hill before you start skiing.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Salazar warns his students to be serious about safety. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``Skiing is a risky sport, if you don't acquire the fundamental skills
necessary. Teenage boys and guys in their 20s think they are superman and that
nothing will ever happen to them. You can not only injure yourself while
skiing, but also kill yourself. '' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Sarah Thomas of Malvern said skiing is an activity to which she looks
forward every winter. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``I'm happy skiing,'' said Thomas, 20, while taking a break in the Jack
Frost dining center. ``I'm too scared to snowboard. I feel more comfortable on
skis.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Despite people's apprehensions, Pat Larder said she tries to make learning
to ski as fun as possible. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``I want to get you to like it so much that you want to ski the rest of
your life. Then, you will bring some friends, and they will love it, sort of
like a snowball effect.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

It Doesn't Have To Be An Uphill Battle To Learn Downhill Skills Sometimes, The Only Way To Learn Is To Fall