- Category: Blog
- Friday, 24 May 2013 18:01
- Hits: 10
Sunday Funday: Kamp K2 Re-Cap
Welcome to K2 Global Headquarters
Roy Tuscany and Adam Baillargeon of the High Fives Foundation were invited to attend Kamp K2 (May 17-20, 2013). The weekend was designed to reward top K2 sales retailers and various contest winners with a trip to the K2 Global Headquarters in Seattle, WA followed by a few days on the snow testing next year's K2 Skis at Crystal Mountain, WA (so, we're not sure why we got the invite...). On Friday, May 17 the group of lucky attendees congregated at the Sea-Tac airport and boarded tour buses for a pit stop at K2 en-route to Crystal Mountain.
The K2 Global Headquarters is a unique snap-shot of American ski history. An expansive facility that seems to stretch for miles, this place is impressive to say the least. Mike Powell (US Marketing Manager for K2 Ski, Snowboard and Skate) lead the group into the facility with his ever-present, quick-wit and sense of sarcastic humor. "The only really important things on this tour today are the cool people in marketing and the ski manufacturing\testing factory. Everything else is just boring." exclaimed Powell as we were brought into the brain center of K2. With a Coors Light sponsorship on tap for this year, the group mingled at the K2 lounge (in the marketing office) and successfully interrupted the work-flow of the K2 Skis marketing and design teams while sampling cold beverages. No one seemed to care too much since it was a Friday afternoon and even though the ski industry is a tough business, this company knows how to unwind and have fun!
Shane McConkey's "Thinking Cap"
Jeff Mechura (Vice President of Global Marketing at K2 Sports) then lead an amazing tour of the facilities in which all cameras were asked to be kept off due to the proprietary nature of the inner goings on at K2. The amount of research and development that is put into every product designed is impressive to say the least. From the "tools" that are designed for each specific ski shape to the testing methods in place to ensure performance and quality, the folks at K2 take engineering seriously. The ice was broken (pun intended) when the group was brought into the freezer in which snow sports equipment is tested under sub-zero conditions and each person on the tour was asked to say their name and where they were from. This painstakingly long process allowed for everyone to get to know each other while beginning to understand Mechura's sense of humor as he tried to keep us in the freezer to the point of group mutiny.
Shane McConkey's Pontoon Ski and Early Creation of a Reverse Camber Ski
The collection of ski artifacts, equipment, past markering campaigns and K2 athlete memorabilia adorning the walls and desks at K2 is out of hand. From helmets and reverse camber prototypes from the late, legend Shane McConkey to the orignal artwork from the Public Enemy ski, the eye candy at K2 is awesome. After a delicious catered dinner from the Seattle food truck and catering company, Marination, the satiated group boarded the tour buses again for the two hour trek to Crystal Mountain and the beginning of Kamp K2.
Master of Ceremonies - Mike Powell
After a bus ride filled with ski/board movies and scenic views, everyone was fired up to get into the mix of Kamp K2. Rooms at the Silver Skis lodge were assigned and then the groups were given schedules and the invitation to enjoy more Jack Links beef jerky (another K2 Sports sponsor) than we could handle. The welcome party on Friday night brought us under the circus tent in the parking lot at Cyrstal Mountain with a great anticipation of the assigned teams earning their respective names on the famous Kirschner Cup (named after the founders of K2 Skis). The franken-trophy consisted of a keg with a silver cup attached to the top resembles the Stanley Cup (of the NHL) but, instead of the team members of professional hockey players chiseled on the side of it a list of pro-skiers and industry types plastered the side. Needless to say, everyone immediately began trash talking and sizing each other up for the ensuing competitions.
The Coveted Kirschner Cup
The schedule for both Saturday and Sunday consisted of: breakfast > shred (demo next year's K2 Skis and Snowboards) > lunch > shred > apres (with Coors Light) > chill (movie time in the rooms) > team competitions (think "college") > entertainment (DJ Mullet on Saturday night and a mechanical bull on Sunday night). Although the weather and snow weren't the best at Crystal Mountain during our stay, it was an honor to be able to test out next year's equipment with legendary characters like Ryan Schmies (Senior Graphic Designer | Ski Marketing at K2) and Andy Mahre (K2 Skis Factory Team Rider).
The Silver Springs Lodge at Crystal Mountain Resort
The weekend of skiing, great food and college style competitions concluded on Sunday night with Team Slayblade (Nicko Ferguson, Cameron Sparough, Sean Tankersley, Nick Dirks, Mike Powell, Dan Mohr, Mike Dawson, Aaron Mathers and Zach Doleac) taking top honors and earning their place on the Kirschner Cup. Everyone "high fived" and parted ways on Monday morning after a weekend of memories and good times were had by all. Thank you to Crystal Mountain Resort, Coors Light and the entire K2 staff, especially Mike Powell and Alyssa Clark for organizing and running an awesome event.
High Five!
- Category: Blog
- Thursday, 23 May 2013 18:10
- Hits: 170
May Grants Awarded: $11,092.00 Awarded to Injured Athletes through the Winter Empowerment Fund
Athlete Awarded Disbursements for Recovery from Life Altering Injury
The Winter Empowerment Fund disburses board approved grants to disabled winter action sports athletes participating in winter adaptive sports or recovering from a life altering injury. In May 2013 the Board of Directors approved the following grant for one athlete totaling $11,092.00
To date, the Winter Empowerment Fund has assisted 43 athletes from 14 states in eight respective funding categories which include: living expenses, insurance, travel, health, healing network, adaptive equipment, winter equipment, programs and stoke (positive energy, outlook and attitude).
May grant recipients include:
CODY WALKER | SALT LAKE CITY UTAH
Growing up with the ski resorts in his backyard, Cody cultivated a love for snowboarding unlike any other. While on a snowboarding trip in Lake Tahoe with his best friends Cody had a snowboarding accident that left him with fractures in his neck, both hips and the inability to move his body on his own. After several weeks Cody regained arm and leg movement and now spends his days working like a machine in rehabilitation. His motivations are his loving wife, his adorable kids (3 and 4 years old) and his new little baby girl that will be born this July.
Grant Details:
Healing Network: Neuroworx (54 Visits)
Total $5,462.00
LUCAS GROSSI | MISSOULA, MT
Lucas lost his leg in a car accident in 1988. As a driven youngster, he learned how to skateboard 4 months before he learned how to walk again. He picked up the shred in 1992. In 2000, he organized the first adaptive snowboard freestyle camps and national competition in the world with USASA. Now he is an aspiring athlete for the 2014 Paralympic Games.
Grant Details:
Health:
Chinese herbs (through Acupuncturist)
Healing Network:
Massage (10 Sessions)
Acupuncture (10 Sessions)
Personal Training (36 Sessions)
Total $3,390.00
TAYLOR FIDDYMENT | TRUCKEE, CA
Taylor was injured while riding a four-wheeler with some friends in May 2011. She has massive support from her family and friends, and is willing to try anything. The Winter Empowerment Fund will provide Taylor with the opportunity to discover skiing through Disabled Sports - Far West.
Grant Details:
Healing Network:
Personal Training (12 Sessions)
Massage (10 Sessions)
Pilates (10 Sessions)
Total $2,240.00
- Category: Blog
- Thursday, 23 May 2013 17:12
- Hits: 97
High Fives in the News: Play Hard Give Back's Marco Sullivan Supports the High Fives Foundation
PlayHard GiveBack has aligned itself with exceptional people, who happen to be outstanding athletes, in order to positively influence the world. They have based themselves on a social profit model, which is a fancy way of saying that dollars earned go back to local communities with the leadership of an athlete role model. These athlete role models have goals bigger than their own.They are committed to making a difference, and to utilizing their fitness of mind, body, and passion to elevate more than themselves. Yes, you guessed it – their athletes Play Hard and Give Back… get it? Their commitment is that every dollar that goes to their athletes is matched with a buddy-dollar that goes toward their social cause or project.
Marco Sullivan, a veteran of the US Ski Team and two Olympic Games, supports the High Fives Foundation through his Play Hard Give Back project. Learn more about Marco and his project at: playhardgiveback.com/projects
- Category: Blog
- Thursday, 23 May 2013 16:32
- Hits: 83
High Fives in the News: Woodward Tahoe and High Fives Join Forces!
Join guest coaches Ian Compton and Cody LaPlante from July 14-20, 2013 at the High Fives Foundation Summer Camp Take-Over at Woodward Tahoe!
Woodward Tahoe has partnered with the High Fives Foundation for the fifth week of its summer camp. The partnership is part of an effort to raise money to support injured action sports enthusiasts and promote the advancement of action sports in a safe and progressive manner. Moving forward, Woodward Tahoe will donate $50 to the Foundation for every camper who registers for the fifth week of camp, which runs from July 14-20, 2013.
In addition to supporting injured athletes, the High Fives Foundation strongly advocates injury prevention through its B.A.S.I.C.S. Program Service, which is designed to promote safety and awareness through world-class fundamentals coaching and encourages action sports participants to start simple and work their way up. This program is directly aligned with Woodward Tahoe’s objective of achieving action sport greatness in a safe and progressive environment. Guest coaches and High Fives Foundation ambassadors will be on hand during week five of camp to work with the campers and further convey the basic principles and best practices of training in a safe manner.
We hope you can join us for this fantastic week of fun while we take to the air in a safe manner with top-notch coaching and instruction!
Registration: www.woodwardtahoe.com/300-news/general-news/3072-highfives.html
Date: July 14-20, 2013
Open to: Skiers and Snowboarders | Ages 7-20 | Boys and Girls
B.A.S.I.C.S. Program Service: www.basics.highfivesfoundation.org
Check out guest coach Ian Compton's visit to Woodward Tahoe last summer...
- Category: Blog
- Tuesday, 21 May 2013 19:22
- Hits: 146
Event Spotlight: Watch and Share the "3rd Annual Charity Golf Tournament" Video
The Golf Club at Gray's Crossing once again graciously hosted the Annual High Fives Foundation Charity Golf Tournament on May 16, 2013.
GoPro presented the 3rd Annual High Fives Charity Golf Tournament with support from Northwestern Mutual – Ryan Williams, SpineNevada, Crestwood Construction, Guild Mortgage, Fifty Fifty Brewing Co., Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Smith Optics, Ward Automotive, Ice Axe Expeditions, Ninkasi Brewing Co., Chase International – Trinkie Watson, 7-Eleven – Carnelian Bay, CA, DBI, Cabot Cheeses, Coldwell Banker, SMC Contracting, Synergy Healing Arts, Truckee-Tahoe Lumber Co., Rebel Fitness Academy, the Shane McConkey Foundation and VT Peanut Butter.
Check out the photo galleries from Jason Abraham of Elevated Image Photography:
- Category: Blog
- Tuesday, 21 May 2013 19:05
- Hits: 128
Event Spotlight: Watch and Share the "Break the Glass" Video
Shot 100% on the new HERO3® camera from GoPro.com
The Break the Glass Contest (presented by Northwestern Mutual - Ryan Williams) was captured in stunning quality at the 3rd Annual High Fives Foundation Charity Golf Tournament held on May 16, 2013 at The Golf Club at Gray's Crossing thanks to the World's Most Versatile Cameras (GoPro)!
Check out the photo galleries from Jason Abraham of Elevated Image Photography:
- Category: Blog
- Tuesday, 21 May 2013 16:26
- Hits: 119
Non-Profit Spotlight: Zach Sobiech Osteosarcoma Fund
Zach Sobiech was diagnosed with osteosarcoma on November 23, 2009, at age 14. Osteosarcoma is a cancer of the bone, with just 400 cases diagnosed in children under age 20 per year in the U.S.
Zach's treatment included a hip replacement, hours of physical therapy, four thoracotomies, several minor surgeries, biopsies, and months of chemo. In May of 2012 they found out the cancer had spread to his pelvis and lungs. WIth only comfort treatments left as options, Zach's diagnosis was terminal. It is with heavy hearts that we share Zach passed away May 20, 2013.
This fund was set up to help kids like Zach. To fund research for better treatments and ultimately a cure for this disease.
What Your Gift Can Do...
By making a gift to the Zach Sobiech Osteosarcoma Fund, you can help our scientists develop new therapies to treat osteosarcoma. Our team is leading the charge to bring two promising new drugs to osteosarcoma patients: an immune-based therapy and a drug that kills osteosarcoma cells. The fund also supports an effort to map the genetic factors that signal osteosarcoma growth. With your support, we can continue funding discoveries that are revolutionizing the way pediatric cancer is treated worldwide, and helping more children lead happy, healthy lives.
Learn more and donate here.
- Category: Blog
- Wednesday, 15 May 2013 19:54
- Hits: 104
Non-Profit Spotlight: $1,000 Donated to the Flyin' Ryan Hawks Foundation
The High Fives Foundation has donated $1,000 to the Flyin' Ryan Hawks Foundation. Please check out this great organization, watch (and share) the video above and discover Ryan's 13 Core Principles.
Learn more and donate at: flyinryanhawks.org
- Category: Blog
- Wednesday, 15 May 2013 19:45
- Hits: 137
Sunday Funday: High Fives at Kamp K2
Roy Tuscany and Adam Baillargeon of the High Fives Foundation are at Kamp K2 this weekend learning the ropes of this infamous on and off snow event.
Thank you to K2 Skis and everyone involved at Kamp K2 for making this possible. Stay tuned for more updates. High Five!
- Category: Blog
- Wednesday, 15 May 2013 19:19
- Hits: 170
Inspirational Athlete: Winter Empowerment Athlete - Phil Hoban
Here's to Phil Hoban for not only returning to the sport of skiing but, also for becoming the Superintendent of The Golf Club at Gray's Crossing and helping to host the 3rd Annual High Fives Foundation Charity Golf Tournament!
Learn more about The Golf Club at Gray's Crossing here.
Watch and share Winter Empowerment Athlete - Phil Hoban's 1 Year Redemption video. Thanks Phil ~ keep charging!
