The air was big and the landings soft as skiers and snowboarders from across Ontario took to the rails at the fourth annual Trent Riverside Rail Jam at Gzowski College on Saturday, March 24, 2012.

“The landings might have been a bit too soft,” chuckled Kyle Giehler, a second-year nursing student and one of the few Trent riders in the heavily contested competition. “We were landing in mud by the end of the heats, sloshing through muck. It was sloppy. It was wet. It was dirty. And it was a blast!”

His enthusiasm was shared by almost every rider on the course. 

Brothers Martin and Joel Vachon of Oshawa are no strangers to the world of competitive snowboarding, and they found the event to be one of the highlights of their year. 

“There’s a great ambience here,” said Mr. Martin, “and the warm weather and mud just made it that much more unique.” Pumping his fist into the air, he added, “Totally sick!”

The event, which saw competitors performing tricks off of metal rails, boxes, and concrete barriers, was one of the social highlights of the year at Gzowski College. The day featured music by numerous bands and DJ’s and almost 300 students were on hand to celebrate.

Organizers were not deterred by the recent warm weather.

“We’ve been working with local arenas,” explained event coordinator, Wes Daubeny. “We’ve been collecting snow from rinks across Peterborough. The first load came in yesterday and we’ve been building it up since then. The scaffolding and ramps for the course went up yesterday.  It’s spring in Peterborough, but it’s still winter on our little hill.”

Mr. Daubeny, a fourth-year Business Administration student, is using the Rail Jam as a means of gaining valuable work experience. “Putting together events like this is a good way to get ahead. By organizing something as complicated as a snowboard festival, I’m essentially writing my own resume. It’s a testament to the Business Administration Department that I have the tools needed to pull this together.”

First-year students Rebecca Parent and Sophie Guilbeault were amazed by both the event and the turn-out. 

“I’ve been hearing about it for months,” said Ms. Parent, “and wondering what it was going to be like. And, wow! The music, the crowds, the tricks on the hill: It’s pretty cool.”

“It’s awesome,” said Ms. Guilbeault. “It brings a lot of really diverse people together.”

Mr. Gielher felt no added pressure being the only Trent student in the main Rail Jam competition. “I competed a bit in high school, “he explained, “but that’s way behind me. I’m just out here having fun.” What was the best part of the day for Mr. Gielher?  “The mud,” he laughed, “definitely the mud.”

Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2012.