My season-end vacation goes like this; take out a map of the World, find a country with surf where I haven’t been before and book a plane ticket! This year’s vacation stop is here in Nicaragua. Although tourism has grown considerably, Nicaragua was not a safe country to travel to just over a decade ago due to the political conflict and violence. As a result much of Nicaragua remains under-developed and untouched. But the people with their warm smiles are incredibly welcoming.
Just yesterday we drove along the beach, parked our car and walked to a beautiful point break. The waves were pealing off into the bay and there was no one in sight. We surfed the perfect waves until our arms could no longer paddle. It doesn’t get better than this!
Cheers,
Jenn
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When I arrive at the base of the mountain for my annual girls only Spring Camp, I see thirty bright eyed and smiling faces. You can see their excitement bubbling to the surface. Although the weekend is spent skiing moguls, it really isn’t about the skiing.
It’s about creating an atmosphere where the girls are having fun, are encouraged and are learning skills beyond skiing techniques. I hope that it is in the small moments of just being together that they feel energized and motivated and can carry those feelings forward. I also hope that they realize that I was once their age with many of the same challenges they are facing.
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After the first day, we hold a visualization session. Many of the girls have never tried visualization before. They quickly realize that this technique can be used when writing exams or any other pressure filled moment. This is something they can take with them wherever they go.
As we ride up the chairlift at the end of another day of shredding the moguls, one of the skiers turns to me and says, “I didn’t remember how much fun it was to ski with the girls, they’re so supportive.”
Of course I want to encourage them to pursue mogul skiing but at the end of the day I hope that they will simply take the values of sport with them wherever they go. Sport has enriched every part of my life, has presented me with many challenges, and has provided many incredible opportunities. I hope they can be touched in the same way.
I was certainly touched when the girls spontaneously turned to me and yelled at the top of their lungs “good luck for next year and the Olympic Games!” This moment will motivate me, as I get ready for the Games.
Cheers,
Jenn
P.S. Here's a good article about a few Olympians giving back: www.thestar.com/Sports/Olympics/article/619824
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A one-week French immersion course was perfectly timed for the week before my interview on the Quebec TV show Tout le Monde en Parle. I spent the week before the interview in La Plagne, France at the World Cup Finals. When I was not preparing for the competition I spent my days with 2006 Olympic Bronze medalist and friend Sandra Lauora. With Sandra and her friends we passed a large part of the day sipping coffee and catching up. As a result I was more confident with my French heading to the show. But Tout le Monde en Parle draws an average audience of two million viewers per episode.
Host Guy A. Lepage is an amazing interviewer who often asks complex questions. It was safe to say that I was more nervous for the TV show than I have ever been for a ski competition. But after entering the set and offering Guy A. Lepage and the other guests a box of wasabi flavored Kit Kats I began to relax and have fun. It was great to do the interview alongside teammate Alexandre Bilodeau. Being invited onto the show was a wonderful opportunity and a great experience.
cheers,
Jenn