The Spirit of Snowboarding

The Spirit of Snowboarding

Randy Garfield
For The Clock
rggarield@plymouth.edu

Monday, Punxsutawney Phil failed to see his shadow. A few kids (we all know one) are being spotted wearing shorts and T shirts and birds are occasionally heard chirping. All the signs are here; spring is coming.

February has come stumbling into 2016 like a puppy into a bakery: warm, mild, and holds promise of a sweet future… for some. PSU’s proximity to the mountain attracts a large flock of mountain goers. One might think that Mother Nature’s insolence might deter skiers and snowboarders from practicing their passion, but that is far from the truth.

The spirit of the mountains is alive and well here at Plymouth State. This unusually warm season only strengthens our energy and heightens our excitement. Though there is no snow on the ground, the ski resorts are hard at work blowing enough snow to keep us satisfied and sane as we face another semester of work, waking up early, talking to people, trying to sit still and basically anything else you can think of besides being on the hill.

To some, it might seem like a waste of time; going up and down a snow covered mountain for hours, but to those who are avid and passionate about it, it’s more than worth their while. Riley Morris, a PSU snowboarder and Loon Mountain regular said, “It’s having fun with my friends and it gets you girls.” That’s awesome for Riley, but snowboarding doesn’t get everyone girls, I would know. Justin Sault, also a sophomore had other reasons, “It’s a great way to get away from things and relieve some stress.”

Winter Carnival is upon almost us, as is the annual Plymouth Rail Jam, “Jib Free or Die”. In these next few months, no matter how mild they may be, we’ll fully send and squeeze out all the joy of the mountains that we can until we’re practically riding on grass. This kind of devotion goes to show the true benefits of mountain therapy.

So, next time you’re feeling uninspired, stressed, or sexually frustrated, get outside and send yourself down a snowy mountain for a bit.

CLOCK PHOTO/ JACK ROBERTS