Canterbury Telemarkers Gearing Up For Fun Time At Broken River (05-Aug-10)

Broken River, New Zealand, August 5, 2010 - Broken River has a full

Broken River has a full programme organised for telemark skiers over the next couple of months. The programme starts off with the annual R & R Sport Freeheel Fun Weekend on August 14th and 15th. 

“We have participants coming from all over the South Island” says organiser Jim Henderson. “Some people have been coming every year since we first ran the event in 2003. Everyone enjoys the chance to free their heels with other telemarkers, learn a few new techniques, and catch up over a good beer or two.”

Saturday August 14th of the R & R Sport Freeheel Fun Weekend includes 3-hour telemark clinics with two telemark instructors run as two 1.5 sessions (10.30 am - noon and 1 - 2.30 pm). “This is a great opportunity to improve your technique so you can ski better and with less energy” comments Jim, who is also instructing on the weekend. “We have quite a few people signed up already”. People can register for the clinics by sending an email to marketing@brokenriver.co.nz.

Sunday 15th August is the fun day. Jim says “We’ve organised a range of fun events that suit all abilities. Last years’ synchronised ski competition was hilarious fun for participants and spectators.” Registration for the fun events is 10-11am at Palmer Lodge on Sunday.
R & R Sport and Black Diamond will provide demo gear to try both days of the event. Event co-organiser Claire Newell says that the Freeheel Fun Weekend is a “great opportunity for downhill skiers to find out what telemarking is all about. Beginner lessons will be available for people who have not tried telemarking before.”

“We’ve had lots of interest in hosting telemark clinics” comments Claire. Four additional telemark clinics are planned for Monday and Tuesday 23rd and 24th of August, Saturday 28th August and also September 11th.  Rates are very affordable at $35 for a 1.5 hour lesson. People interested in signing up to one or more of these clinics should email Claire at marketing@brokenriver.co.nz. “There is a strong telemark following in Canterbury, particularly at the Club fields. We always have at least a dozen or so per day at Broken River in the weekends, so it’s great to be able to provide instruction for them here.”