Skiers look to trampoline coach for help
29/10/2009 Canada's top skiers are turning to a trampoline coach to improve their skills.
Members of the Edmonton Freestyle Ski Club have been frequenting the Phoenix Gymnastics Centre looking for the expertise of top trampoline coach Nick van Buuren, reported Vue Weekly.
Van Buuren, a trampoline coach of 15 years and a recently-qualified skiing coach, has been tracked down to help the Canadian Freestyle Ski Association and Canadian Ski Instructors Association in its Jump 2010 programme.
Nick van Buuren believes that trampoline skills and the ski jumping skills used in events like moguls, are very similar.
He told the news provider that spotting or "tracking the ground" is a very important skill which is often overlooked by skiers.
"Knowing where one is in relation to the ground - while sailing several metres above it in mid-spin - is fundamental. This is often a weak area for skiers who believe usually comes first, gymnastic skills second," he said.
The club has hockey, lacrosse and football players using its trampoline facilities to improve fitness.
Michele Wilburn, founder and owner of Starbound Enterprise, recently told the Evening Standard: "Ten minutes on a rebounder (a mini-trampoline) is equivalent to 30 minutes' jogging."
Members of the Edmonton Freestyle Ski Club have been frequenting the Phoenix Gymnastics Centre looking for the expertise of top trampoline coach Nick van Buuren, reported Vue Weekly.
Van Buuren, a trampoline coach of 15 years and a recently-qualified skiing coach, has been tracked down to help the Canadian Freestyle Ski Association and Canadian Ski Instructors Association in its Jump 2010 programme.
Nick van Buuren believes that trampoline skills and the ski jumping skills used in events like moguls, are very similar.
He told the news provider that spotting or "tracking the ground" is a very important skill which is often overlooked by skiers.
"Knowing where one is in relation to the ground - while sailing several metres above it in mid-spin - is fundamental. This is often a weak area for skiers who believe usually comes first, gymnastic skills second," he said.
The club has hockey, lacrosse and football players using its trampoline facilities to improve fitness.
Michele Wilburn, founder and owner of Starbound Enterprise, recently told the Evening Standard: "Ten minutes on a rebounder (a mini-trampoline) is equivalent to 30 minutes' jogging."
