Snowboarders, skiers have a blast at Ann Arbor's first ever "rail jam"
For area skiers and snowboarders, Ann Arbor's Veterans Park was more like Aspen on Saturday.
That’s because Rob and Heidi Parent threw the first ever "Get Rad Rail Jam" at the city-owned park, and set up a full terrain course unlike any other found in the Midwest.
“It’s awesome - you usually have to be at a serious mountain to get something like this,” Chris Parks, a 17-year-old Ann Arbor snowboarder, said.
Parent, who owns Sun and Snow Sports in Ann Arbor, explained that the idea was conceived as he looked for a fun way to market his shop and give area kids something to do on a winter afternoon.
But what started as a low-key effort with plans for a few ramps set up on the hill quickly grew. Word of the day spread on the Internet and calls from kids as far away as Chicago, Cleveland and Marquette started coming in.
“One we posted it on the Internet the thing just exploded,” Parent said. “So we decided to surprise the guys and go with a full terrain park. We’ve got resort level features here.”
Some of the highlights included an 18-foot battleship ramp, 20-foot downrail and 13-foot flat rail.
Parent put in the effort to make the rail jam a success. Each night for the last week, he and several friends lived in his van at the Veteran’s Park sled hill and woke up every hour and a half to run a snow maker to ensure a six-inch base.
“You know that joke with Chris Farley living in a van down by the river - well we were living in the van down by the hill,” Parent joked.
But he said the work worth it.
“The kids were so pumped when they showed up,” he said. “It kind of validated it. Usually it’s more of a backyard set up.”
The rail jam’s sponsors included Monster Energy Drink, Skull Candy and several ski and snowboard companies.
The $25 registration fee goes to a fund to build a skateboard park at Veteran’s Park. Parent said $1 million is needed to build the skatepark, and he is getting plenty of photos and video of this year’s event so sponsors can see what he is trying to do.
“It was difficult getting corporate sponsors - we were kind of getting a deer in headlights look because nobody here knows what a rail jam is,” he said.
Parent said the kids who came in his shop were shocked to learn that the event was in Ann Arbor and not at Mount Brighton or up north.
“Their eyes just lit up,” he said.
“I knew it was going to be cool but this is way bigger than I expected,” Parks said.
The rail jam runs from 12 to 8 p.m. and a panel of certified judges judged tricks and handed out prizes to what Parent believes will be well over 100 kids participating by evening.
But for 15-year-old Eric Langen of Chelsea, the day was about what snowboarding is always about for him.
“It’s the freedom,” he explained.
Comments
Veracity
Tue, Nov 30, 2010 : 3:37 p.m.
Three questions about a skatepark and perhaps also for snow boarding as well: If the skatepark is on City land will liability insurance be available to the City and will it be affordable? Self-insuring can be very risky. For safety, the skatepark will need a fence to provide controlled access and supervision. Who will pay for the supervision and also for maintenance? How many daily skatepark users will be necessary in order to justify the $1 million construction cost?
jcj
Mon, Jan 4, 2010 : 9:42 a.m.
Sun & Snow Sports I suspect I am in better shape than about 90% of the 60 year old grandfathers out there. But my back does tend to act up at times. Back in about 1963 I broke my ankle going down Vets hill on ice skates. I would have been OK if I had stayed off the jump! Thanks for the offer though. And again thanks for making so many kids happy. I suspect next year will be even better.
Sun & Snow Sports
Sun, Jan 3, 2010 : 10:59 p.m.
JCJ & Cendra... It's never too late. If you want to give either skiing or snowboarding a shot, give us a shout and we'll set you up with a free weekend of rentals. You'll be hooked. Thanks for all the great comments... it makes one of the toughtest weeks of our lives well worth it! :) Seeing the look on these kids' faces was awesome. We have a page full of notes on what to change for next year, and we're ready to make this thing big!
Cendra Lynn
Sun, Jan 3, 2010 : 3:20 p.m.
I'm 65 and ready to learn skateboarding. Age is not a reason. Too stiff? Tai Chi or yoga. Too weak? Muscle strengthening? Too corporeal? Pushbacks and any aerobic exercise. Scared? Just give it a try on the beginner slope. Age is a number but is lethal if you let it become an attitude. Good luck, and remember to relax when you fall!
Trevor Staples
Sun, Jan 3, 2010 : 2:28 p.m.
I met a guy skating a bowl (empty swimming pool) in Novi a few years ago. He was 64. He said he started skateboarding a few years before that 'cause his grandkids started. It's never too late to start something new!
jcj
Sun, Jan 3, 2010 : 1:53 p.m.
Wolverine3660 Thanks for the encouragement. And I agree to a certain degree age is a state of mind. However if I started skateboarding my wife would think my mind had left the state! I like to say its not the age its the miles. And I have put on a LOT of miles.
Wolverine3660
Sun, Jan 3, 2010 : 1:22 p.m.
jcj - you said you were 60. and it isnt too late to start a new hobby at age 60!!!!! I have seen people mush older than you ( people in the 80's) snowboarding in Utah and elsewhere. So, dont let the fact that you are 60 hold you back!!!! Age is also a state of mind.
Trevor Staples
Sun, Jan 3, 2010 : 11:37 a.m.
Great article! The success of this event was shown when the temperatures hovered right around 7 degrees F and tons of people still showed up to ride and ski! Even though Sun & Snow doesn't carry skateboarding or inline merchandise, they have been HUGE supporters of the Ann Arbor Skatepark effort from the beginning. They've hosted several skate-jams and helped out the cause when needed. For this ski/snowboard event, they contacted us to see if they could somehow have it benefit the A2skatepark. We are lucky to have such community-recreation minded businesses here in Ann Arbor! As for how to keep up on events like this, Sun & Snow has a regularly updated email list. Scroll down on their home page to sign up and get updated on their great events: http://www.sunandsnow.com/ To keep up on skatepark related events and activities, visit http://www.a2skatepark.org, sign up for our email list http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/a2skatepark/, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/a2skatepark, or become a fan on our facebook page: http://tinyurl.com/a2skateparkfacebook Trevor Staples Chair, The Ann Arbor Skatepark Action Committee
cbarry
Sun, Jan 3, 2010 : 8:24 a.m.
My son attended and really loved it. I had sent along a donation for the A2Skatepark but there was nowhere obvious to leave it...how can people make donations to the skate park?
hattrix
Sat, Jan 2, 2010 : 10:24 p.m.
Sounds like an awesome event! Way to go, Sun & Snow!!
przHim
Sat, Jan 2, 2010 : 8:54 p.m.
Looks like fun!
a2tom
Sat, Jan 2, 2010 : 8:28 p.m.
very cool setup! you guys should have done a facebook page or group the turnout would have been even better,
cgrantski
Sat, Jan 2, 2010 : 7:11 p.m.
It runs from 2 to 8 today? Woo hoo, it's only a bit after seven, I'm heading over there. I love the immediacy of the online news!
Dot
Sat, Jan 2, 2010 : 5:38 p.m.
Wish I had known earlier in the week. I would have taken my kids. Where was this publicized (in store only?) and how can I watch for it next time? Thanks!
jcj
Sat, Jan 2, 2010 : 5:23 p.m.
Great Idea!!! I am 60 years old and have never been on a snow board (Too late to start now) But I think this is great for the city and our kids. It has been a long time since I was in Sun & Snow, but I will be more inclined to give them some business. Thank You to Rob and Heidi Parent. Looks like great fun for the kids!