Dear Freestyle Friend,

Don’t miss the experience of a lifetime! Volunteer for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Anyone interested in volunteering for the 2010 Winter Games needs to fill out the Games-time volunteer application form. With over 25,000 volunteers expected for the Games, the volunteer application form will help the Organizing Committee most efficiently capture your skills, background and qualifications, as well as your availability to volunteer.

If you can’t wait for 2010, you can get involved in Sport Events. Sport Events are a fantastic way to build your volunteer portfolio and gain experience working at the same venues where the Games will be held in 2010. This experience is a valuable asset when applying for a Games-time role. To apply for a Sport Event volunteer position, click ‘yes’ to Sport Events under ‘Availability and Preferences’ on your Games-time volunteer application form.

Apply to become a volunteer now! Visit www.vancouver2010.com.

For more information and regular updates on the Canadian Freestyle Ski Association visit, www.freestyleski.ca

Thank you for your continued support and dedication in promoting the sport of Freestyle Skiing. Your commitment contributes to the advancement of athlete development programs and supports Canadian athletes to achieve podium results.

Volunteer locally by contacting info@ontariofreestyle.com

Get into Freestyle Skiing with the Royal Canadian Mint

Launch into Vancouver 2010 with this 25-cent coin featuring Freestyle Skiing. Look in your change to collect a piece of the action.

Plus, order the Sterling Silver Freestyle Skiing Hologram Coin today! It’s a great way to start celebrating the action on the slopes in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter games.

Celebrate your sport and your fellow Canadian athletes with the whole series of Vancouver 2010 and your FREE collector card while supplies last. It’s a great way to collect and treasure your own keepsake. Pick up the whole collection in your change or at participating Petro-Canada and RBC locations. Fill your card and cheer Team Canada!

For information on all of the exciting new Olympic coins, call 1-800-267-1871 or visit www.mint.ca/olympic.

Steve Omischl recounts visit to Ghana with Right to Play

Vancouver, BC, May 1, 2008 – As a member of the Canadian Olympic Freestyle Ski Team I’ve done some pretty amazing trips over the years, but none were even close to the experience I recently had in Ghana. I felt truly honoured to be asked by Right to Play to join three of the nicest and best female athletes Canada has, on a trip to this West African nation. Led by Clara Hughes, I joined Emily Brydon and Mellisa Hollingsworth spending five days visiting schools, community centre’s, and even a Liberian refugee camp in the capital city of Accra. The purpose of the trip was to help inspire kids, teachers and RTP staff with stories of Canada, snow and Olympic sport – a complete novelty to people who live in above tropic temperatures most of the year.

The majority of our time was spent joining the children while they participated in games that taught them about things like malaria and HIV to name a few. Games that were also helping the kids build self esteem, social skills and with their physical development, all key assets when you’re facing life in such a harsh environment. Finding work is one challenge, but so is fending for your basic survival. Families farming dry, almost baron lands with many mouths to feed is something our North American households know nothing about.

The scary part of traveling to Africa for the first time is being exposed to something most people hope they never face in their lives: extreme poverty. Most people who have been to Africa before try to warn you about the things one might see, but until you see kids playing in absolutely filthy conditions and possibly sick from malnutrition or disease, you can’t comprehend how difficult life can be. This was something I personally had the toughest time with. I have always been appreciative of the country I live in and the life that I lead, but seeing people in dire need made that fact really hit home. Most people in North America have NO IDEA how good we have it. If paying taxes, having a flight delayed or getting a speeding ticket are all things that usually get us down, we should try going a few days without food!

I really want to switch gears here and not focus on the negative things I saw. I need to say that for all the difficult things I saw, I also met some of the greatest humans I’ve ever been privileged enough to talk to. Educated men and women that have chosen to dedicate themselves to helping kids become the next leaders of their country. People who see their responsibility to help their fellow man create a viable future for this nation. It would be very easy for these people to say it’s not their problem and turn their backs. However, it’s that selflessness that I saw in the RTP staff and coaches that I will never forget. Everyone should be so lucky to have people that will lend a hand through tough situations even when they themselves have little compensation.

Something else that really struck me during the trip was how the kids actually played. I have been to lots of schools in my time and played lots of games with children of all ages but these kids were something else. The enthusiasm and joy I saw in the children were like nothing I’ve ever seen. The pure fun within sport really shone through. When asked what they had for breakfast, some replied rice, others didn’t reply. But, when the games started they ran, chased, jumped and sang like they ate Sunday brunch at the Hilton. In North America we often have a tough time getting kids to do much after breakfast that doesn’t involve a joystick. Food for thought?

I didn’t have to visit Africa to realize how good we sometimes have it. However, I did have to travel 10,000 miles to see the good work that Right to Play is doing for the world. Everyone needs an opportunity to laugh and have fun regardless of their situation. If RTP can educate at the same time as that, they are living up to both of their mottos: “When children play, the world wins,” and “look after yourself, look after one another.”

Steve Omischl

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1. Race Prepped GS Skis – ideally with a deep structure for wet snow.
2. Tuning Kit
3. Proper Protections – approved helmet and back protector –
4. Clothing – loose fitting pants – top  
5. You will be required to be a member (or become a member ) of the Canadian Snowsport Association or associated member of Alpine Canada or Canadian FreeStyle Association in order that you have proper insurance coverage. If you are not a current member of an associate member of the CSSA you can become a member at a cost of $30.00 at the event. You will need to bring proper evidence of membership or bring suitable identification and health insurance information in order to become a member.