Tignes seasonaire

Who would've thought it'd come true? 

About 8 years ago one of my instructors Bastian said I could become an instructor. One part of me didn't believe him back then, but the other one asked questions about what are the steps. Also I remember saying back then that I want to do a season in Val eventually. And we kept on talking about it and the thought was always somewhere with me. I knew that eventually I could do it.

And here I am today. In Tignes, starting the winter as an instructor in the area where I began skiing 14 years ago. First day up on the mountain today, a few wobbly turns after a long summer break and just minutes later I was confident and motivated. Spotted a perfectly shaped mogul run and the very same moment I knew that's where I'll be spending the day! Began the new season just where I left off the previous one. Just changed the country from Austria to France. 

A new language challenge ahead. Currently in the stage of a slightly retarded dog that understands some parts of it but can't reply anything yet. Motivated to learn, though once again to all of you complaining that French don't speak English..... Yes, they do! It must be one of those Murphy laws, when you want them to speak French they go for English and vice-verso. 

As this is a new experience for me and I'm out here all on my own I decided it's time to blog again too keep those interested updated. 

'Hello Autumn' Comp

Just as the autumn knocks at the door there was an open competition last Saturday. With 5 ladies on the start I was last off the dock so I knew exactly what I had to do to win. However this was no exceptional competition and I fell and fell on the tricks I usually don't mess up during trainings. There was only one run so they made it '3 falls allowed', and this was a lifesaver, because only after the second fall I realized I have to get it done NOW!

As I stood up I had just enough time to do the two tricks I fell on and I did. Even though it was a small event, I'm still stoked about the win!

Video footage Sep 21

September

Still haven't posted about Poland. I placed 6th, but I was really disappointed with my runs, because I was never able to do a stand up pass and fell on what normally should be easy tricks. Never mind that, it was a fun trip and seeing so many good riders at one place gave me the motivation to keep working hard.

Anyway, since I'm back home been training a lot of spins. Finally getting somewhere with TS 3's wake to wake and those BS 1s should be there as soon as I stop letting go off the handle.

Here's a video of the most flat session I've had this year, I had my dad driving and my mom watching and a friend filming. With the sun out it just felt good and I got everything down. Would have wanted to get the other 3s on film, but I ran out of power!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY9GFEDGUL4

Qualification

800 km took me 12 hours of driving. Split it in 8 hours, sleep at a hotel during the night, then doing the rest down to Warsaw to pick up Roberts and further to the competition site. We made it just in time to register and the trainings were on.

Nothing close to the real competition scenery, but I was happy to get in the water after all that long sitting. And I never realized how boring it can get when you're on the road on your own! Can you tell, haha?

 Rode the qualification today first off the dock in the Open Women category. Just realized it's my first time out of Jr. Women. While the boat was getting the speed up I tried to get over the fact how huge the wake behind the 2013 X-Star is, it was about twice the size I had ever ridden on! Did some parts of my run good and some parts not so good, unfortunately a double fall where it shouldn't have been. The second pass was directly against the wind and sun and I just stood there not willing to cut out because it was so rough. Nailed one trick, but fell on the second. LCQ tomorrow, I just hope it's less windy and I can really focus on doing my best and finishing the run I had planned.

Competition time

Tomorrow I'm driving off to Poland for the E&A Championships. Really excited about it and looking forward to a week full of inspiration and fun! Knowing myself around competition the only goal I've set is to finish my two passes without freaking out and messing up the easiest tricks.

 Had a tryout run yesterday and today and they went well, so hopefully I can put my brain together and do the same thing with the bib on! 

Fingers crossed for a good start and I'll keep you updated!

Doing good!

I have my own board again thanks to an amazing friend from Germany who helped me out! Been wakeboarding out there with more power than ever. Most tricks were landed first try, including switch Tantrum. Though the regular one took me at least 10 falls due to rushing, haha! 

Then about two weeks ago being over-excited I rushed one of the switch Tantrums badly and landed heavy on the second wake on my left ankle, hyper-flexing it and putting a bit of strain all the way up to the knee. Not a big deal, but I could feel the pain when I had to bend it on take-offs or landings in the gymnastics hall. This means hundreds and hundreds of 1 wake spin drills until my leg would get well again. They went so good and I was happy to land all four FS 360's in a row, since I could never do any TS 3's without over-rotating (and all attempts of a 5 always have been under-rotated, haha!)

Yesterday I started going bigger again and when I fell after my warm up jumps, my dad drove up to me and said 'hey, looks like you lost your switch toeside!' to which I had to reply 'nope, that was regular! Switch was the one that went wake to wake no problem!'  Had a good laugh at it and spent the rest of the set getting my toeside jumps fixed and a bonus at the end, landed a two wake TS BS 180 first try! Spin drills paid off, yay! 

A crazy training at the gymnastics hall in the evening and I'm stiff just about everywhere today!

Never give up on a dream.

It's what makes every Latvian do a little dance and cheer 'summer is finally here, best time of the year! You can do everything bigger, better, faster!'

In spring time I was ready to rock and roll on my board as soon as possible, but just a week before we launched the boat, my board sponsor wrote an e-mail that they are no longer into supporting me. And that means not just skipping a new board, but also taking away my old one. So much for the good start of the season! 

Having my finances planned up to cover all regular expenses plus paying debts from last winter, I can't afford to buy the equipment and making the debts bigger is also not an option. Sad of course, but I'll take it as an opportunity to move a step back and reset my priorities.

I train a lot on the trampoline, and still do a few rides in the week behind the boat. Skiing, hydrofoiling and wakeboarding. but the last one is really hard because I was so used to my board and boots and the rentals just don't bring the joy. I know I'm spoiled. But once again, this has given me the opportunity to reset my goals and how I achieve them.

Recently I've picked up two new hobbies, playing drums and horseback riding. They both really bring joy and help to set my energy and stress levels at the right place. 

Overall life is good, I have a nice job, still sporty and have time to train, now a little more into music and rhythm. What comes to wakeboarding - it's definitely not over yet. Think of it as a rehab break.

Just a few days ago I felt this urge I know what I want to do the next summer. Something I've been up to for many years in a dream level, but if the winter goes financially well, then next summer is going to be the best wakeboarding experience in my life.

Best quote I've read lately: 

Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. 

The time will pass anyway.

-Earl Nightingale

Live your passion, 

Lauma