SkiPages.comFreestyle Skiing Lessons
For a long time it has been my wish to present the catalog of ballet skiing tricks. Until
now the task seemed daunting. Was it worth the effort? How could I reach a broad
audience in an effective manner? I have spent many hours writing notes on these
tricks, drawing illustrations, and looking for new ways to use the poles throughout the
main movements in skiing. I have found that there is a place for old school ballet tricks
in the new school through careful consideration and practice.
With the constraints of the competitive rules effectively removed ten years ago; the time
was ripe for re-tooling the tricks. With the advent of the new school technique with their
emphasis on switch (backward) skiing; it made perfect sense to blend the old with the
new. I studied numerous martial arts techniques such as Fencing, Bo Staff, and Kali
Escrima (short stick) and added this to the mix with the longer poles that have
traditionally been used in Ballet skiing. The combination of these three elements have
brought a new vitality to the sport I love.
The system that is presented in The Freestyle Underground aims to teach the three
aspects of Old School (Gold pages), New School (Blue Pages) and Pole Tricks (choose
color). The codification enables a separation that will aid the student in assimilating and
synthesizing elements from each lesson in a non- linear fashion. There are no
absolutes in this method. That is the beauty in these tricks. Through trial and error with
consideration of the mechanics of the tricks from my drawings - I have developed a
system that strives to teach in various modes. Every person has a different way of
learning and with this in mind; I plan on filming the instructional lessons.
For now I hope you enjoy practicing these tricks as much as I have. These tricks are
the legacy of several generations of athletes from an event that was almost erased by
the powers that be. Almost...
Thank you for visiting The Freestyle Underground and please feel free to respond and
give comments on your experiences with this system and the tricks of which it is
composed.
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