Scholarship Report 2009
Nine Scholars were selected this year to attend our annual programme during the July school holidays at Whakapapa. All scholars and their families were in house on Friday night; Saturday morning greeted us with weather suitable for skiing, good snow cover and a group of scholars ever so keen to hit the slopes.
The Saturday afternoon session (with Roger, Paul and Penny), designed to get our scholars skiing as a formal group, was going well until a snow boarder cleaned out Erin on the “Nose Dive”. The sled ride to first-aid to see if her arm was fractured wasn’t part of our plan! Luckily, arm not broken, the determined Erin was able to rejoin the group for skiing on Tuesday.
Sunday; another great day. The motley crew were now gelling as a team, skiing very well as a group and learning a few more skills with regard to safety on the mountain and leadership. They were now ready for five days of Ski School.
Monday weather, good to ski!
8:15am and the eight were on their way to meet their instructor, Clemens from Austria . He was briefed by the team leader for the day, Thomas P., at the top of the second chair and they were into it.
Tuesday, same weather, with a forecast for snow! Scholars gone at 8:15am with Erin in tow. These guys were clearly enjoying themselves and were full of enthusiasm. No doubt some new friendships had been forged. The weather changed in the afternoon, with heavy snow. The road closed with cars off the road by 5pm; causing havoc for the road crews. I, Vince, Roger and a few others had gone to Turoa Lodge (maintenance) and only managed to get back up the road by catching a ride in the snowplough and a staff bus. The evening activities included the game “Who Am I” and the obligatory “Rotate Around The Table” a Rangatira special. Only a few members in the club have historically managed this feat. But this year, one scholar, James Pickford, not only rotated sideways around the table, he also did it length ways!!
Wednesday. Weather not so good, but fresh snow and scholars out there on the hill. The first chair was thrashed and terrorized by our team. Some great photos/video (John Andrews) of them with Clemens having a great time. They were clearly focused and skiing very well. Improvement all round. Luigi Hotter from the Ohakune Fire Service turned up at 5:30pm. He managed to sneak his smoke generator machine into the lodge and we had a “cold turkey” full fire alarm evacuation. Some very surprised members found themselves outside in the cold. Luigi noted one junior member,(William Andrews) exited through a bunkroom window, as briefed at the start of the week by our competent custodian Dennis. A very good effort by all members.
Thursday. Another ski day! Intro to race gates and plenty of skiing on the agenda with Scholarship Trophies on the line. Clemens invited to dinner and the “scholar skit night” entertainment. What a night. The “ex-scholar” siblings performed a fear factor skit involving “food items” proving to be a messy, entertaining affair, as did the “wrestling with hands bound to feet”!
Friday, a later start (9:15am), as Clemens had stayed with us. Good weather, lots of gates with excellent tuition.
A perfect end to a wonderful week thanks to some excellent snow and weather. Not too often do we get this amount of skiing early in the season.
Most improved Scholar 2009, voted by Clemens, Callum Milbank.
Top Scholar 2009, voted by the scholars, Edward Martin.
Many thanks to RAL Snow School, all of the Parents and family members, Adrian Farnsworth for the Scholarship puffer jacket vests, Roger Wimsett and the 2009 Scholars for a very impressive week.
Paul Boberg
Club Captain.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 14 August 2009 at 09:50 PM