ACTIVITY SPORTS
SNOWBOARDING Lower slopes drifter
David Laing attempts to master one of the fastest growing sports in the world With global warming rendering the annual treat of speeding down a local snowy hill on a dustbin lid a thing of the past, the opportunity to go snowboarding in Scotland seems little more than a pipe (or half-pipe) dream. Xscape at Braehead seeks to make this dream a reality, and so, with the promise of ‘real’ snow, I tentatively make my first foray into one of the fastest growing sports in the world.
Donning a snowsuit and what appear to be space-boots, I am given a board (sized according to ability and height) and make my way to the slope, led by my instructor, Steven. Gasping as I turn a corner to witness the behemoth that is the 200 metre slope, Steven laughs, and promptly informs me that I’ll be learning on the more modest 50 metre slope. Somewhat disheartened I trudge towards my first lesson, buoyed only by the fact that l was walking on actual snow, created, I am told, by blowing almost freezing water through a series of ‘snow nozzles' in the roof.
Snowboarding began in the mid 19603 in the US, when skiier Sherman Poppen braced two skis together for his daughter to play on, calling it ‘Snurfing’. ‘Boards are now made from one piece of flexible wood, with metal edges to help steer,’ explains Steven, as he helps to strap on my board before I promptly slide backwards and fall over. ‘Fear of going fast is what holds most people back,‘ he adds. All very well, but my main concern is standing up. Climbing the slope to a massive height of, oh, at least two metres, I am instructed to aim downhill, and place my non-attached foot on the board. With trepidation I obey, rapidly shooting down the perilous slope and stylishly entering the white stuff face first.
Quickly regaining my upright stance,
18 THE LIST 29 Mar-12 Apr 2007
l dust myself off and begin my first full descent down the slope backwards, leaning over the board and pressing down on my toes to slow me down. Wobbly as a new born deer at first, I soon start to pick it up. and after my third attempt, and some slightly wayward steering, I have progressed
sufficiently to traverse the slope and try
navigating some cones, hitting only one on my first attempt. Steven is encouraging: ‘Most people don’t even make it to the cones on their first Iesson.’ Winter Olympics here I come. The sport has enjoyed unprecedented success at the Olympics, having made its debut at Nagano in 1998 with two events, and
subsequently increased to three for the
2006 Torino games.
My dreams of success in Vancouver 2010 may be a little grand, but falling over on ‘real' snow isn't that painful, and since it's available all year round, there's no excuse not to at least try for that medal.
I Xscape (www.xscape.co.uk) offers beginners’ lessons from £27 per hour including equipment hire.
POWER KITING Come fly wuth me
Kite flying is far from a breeze, discovers Karin Goodwin
Power kiting started out in the 70s and has really taken off in recent years. Today’s four-lined power kites can be used for a dazzling array of sports, including land boarding, kite buggying, kite surfing and snow kiting.
I can’t wait to get started, but before I’m allowed near any buggies or boards, I need to learn the basics of controlling the parachute-like kites that power them. In fact, power kiting, or static flying, is an activity in its own right with experienced practitioners sliding and jumping across sandy beaches, pulled by the momentum of the kite.
David hands me a trainer kite and shows me how to pull back on the ‘brake’ lines to bring the kite down, before helping me launch it. The kite soars. I feel its power pulling me forward off my feet, initially taking me by surprise. It's going great for a few moments before it crashes down.
Gradually | get to grips with my kite as David patiently explains how to take charge of its pull rather than letting it control me. When the kite does come down I learn how to quickly ‘reverse Iaunch', flipping it over on to the right side as it ascends, and how to untangle the lines mid-flight when it starts to spin out of control.
The wind is getting up as David unfurls a larger kite, which, though more powerful, is easier to control. He shows me how to launch it gradually before taking it to full height where its force allows slides and jumps. It is incredibly exhilarating and I leave convinced I’ll be back for more.
I Power kiting, boarding, buggying and surfing lessons are available from Kite Surf Scotland in St Andrews (www.kss.ul<.corn or 07875 7 73346) from around £45.
TEN ENERGETIC SPORTING ACTIVITIES IN SCOTLAND
I Indoor kart racing at Scotkart, Cambuslang (www.scotkart. co.uk, 0141 641 0222) All the thrills (almost) of Formula One. as you speed round one of two indoor tracks on a 200cc kart at speeds of up to 40mph. From £45 per person.
I Go white water rafting in the Cairngorms (www.aceadventures.co.uk)
The Cairngorms National Park offers some of the best white water rafting in the UK from £35.
I Roll yourself sick Sphere- lng in Perthshire (www.naelimits. co.uk) Jump inside a 12-foot hamster ball and hurtle down a big hill. From £45. I Shoot people at Bedlam (www.bedlampaintball.com) Choose from paintballing, paintbombing and thunderflash grenades to shower your enemies. Bedlam paintball is available in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee. From £20.
I See the world from a big balloon (www.albaballooning. co.uk) Breathtaking views guaranteed with balloon rides for up to 12 people from 2149.
I Go weaselling in lnverness (www.boots-and-paddles.co.uk) Wriggling and squirming like a smelly little carnivore, participants make their way through an underground labyrinth of tunnels. Price on request.
I Go quadbiking (www.scottish quads.co.uk) Speed off through the heather up to heights of over 1100ft, in a 700acre playground. From 228.50.
I Cliff Jumping Madness (www.naelimits.co.uk) Shoot off a slippery rock-slide waterfall from a height of up to 20 metres into the water below. From £45.
I Paragllde over Arran (www.flyingfever.net) An unbeatable way to view one of Scotland’s most beautiful islands with fundays and tandem rides from £95 and pilot courses from £500.
I Dive with sharks at Deep Sea World in North Queensferry (www.deepseaworld.com)
Swrm with the fishes (including sharks) with instructors. From £150.