spinbackwards
Member
Howdy,
Today was the last day of the season at A-Basin. And of course, the end of pond skimming season.
The forecast was a high in low 60's. So I got there early, wanting to get my laps in before things got out of hand.
Those are my Blossom 78's in the rack on the left.
All there was to do today was pond skim Lake Reveal. Which means it's time to say hey to the Official Lake Reveal Life Guard. This guy is here every year, he's epic. He live streams the event, adds commentary, and even blows a whistle (more on that below)!
A-Basin closing day always draws a crowd. The parking lots had filled up.
He actually blew his whistle at me twice - for "wasting film"!. I got cut-off on a couple attempts and had to bail. So therefore, I was wasting film. Too funny.
Lake Reveal Life Guard feeling the vibe.
Lake Reveal Life Guard saving a pond swimmer
By about 10am, the crowd was starting to rock. Pond swimmers (an unsuccessful crossing is a pond swimmer) were piling up.
This chick was an epic pond swimmer.
Pond swimmer chick
By 11 the crowd was goin' off. Literally. This guy strips down to his thong.
I did 3 pond skims - here's 1
Paulie pond skimmer
I was also a pond *swimmer - once. I put an asterisk on this one because if you watch the video I had to make a last second course correction due to the two guys in my sight just before the entrance. So I lost my line of sight, course corrected. If not, I'm 4/4 pond skimmer.
As I wrote in my last post, after about 9:30 or so, it becomes a Chinese downhill to get to Lake Reveal. I like my chances in a downhill, especially against this crowd. But this time it didn't work out. Why not? Read on.
The Life Guard had blown his whistle at me once for "wasting film" - because I aborted. The Life Guard doesn't care. If you come to Lake
Reveal, you go across. I appreciate the Life Guard's rules. And for that reason I took my chances and went across even though I'd lost my line. I didn't want to get another whistle. But then he blew it at me anyway, for being a swimmer!
Paulie pond *swimmer
My boots were wet, it was time to head down. I thought about one more crossing, leaving on a high note. But I was cool with the last one being a swimmer, because I'd have made it otherwise. I had a ball, it was all too much fun.
I hung out at the base, ate my sandwich and people watched.
The crowd at the base
Then I renewed my pass for next year and said hello to A-Basin boss Alan Henceroth.
The lifts closed at 2:00. I always wait 'till then, then I head down the road.
It was a great year, I'm grateful. I think I got 60 days. Next year starts now!
Today was the last day of the season at A-Basin. And of course, the end of pond skimming season.
The forecast was a high in low 60's. So I got there early, wanting to get my laps in before things got out of hand.
Those are my Blossom 78's in the rack on the left.
All there was to do today was pond skim Lake Reveal. Which means it's time to say hey to the Official Lake Reveal Life Guard. This guy is here every year, he's epic. He live streams the event, adds commentary, and even blows a whistle (more on that below)!
A-Basin closing day always draws a crowd. The parking lots had filled up.
He actually blew his whistle at me twice - for "wasting film"!. I got cut-off on a couple attempts and had to bail. So therefore, I was wasting film. Too funny.
Lake Reveal Life Guard feeling the vibe.
Lake Reveal Life Guard saving a pond swimmer
By about 10am, the crowd was starting to rock. Pond swimmers (an unsuccessful crossing is a pond swimmer) were piling up.
This chick was an epic pond swimmer.
Pond swimmer chick
By 11 the crowd was goin' off. Literally. This guy strips down to his thong.
I did 3 pond skims - here's 1
Paulie pond skimmer
I was also a pond *swimmer - once. I put an asterisk on this one because if you watch the video I had to make a last second course correction due to the two guys in my sight just before the entrance. So I lost my line of sight, course corrected. If not, I'm 4/4 pond skimmer.
As I wrote in my last post, after about 9:30 or so, it becomes a Chinese downhill to get to Lake Reveal. I like my chances in a downhill, especially against this crowd. But this time it didn't work out. Why not? Read on.
The Life Guard had blown his whistle at me once for "wasting film" - because I aborted. The Life Guard doesn't care. If you come to Lake
Reveal, you go across. I appreciate the Life Guard's rules. And for that reason I took my chances and went across even though I'd lost my line. I didn't want to get another whistle. But then he blew it at me anyway, for being a swimmer!
Paulie pond *swimmer
My boots were wet, it was time to head down. I thought about one more crossing, leaving on a high note. But I was cool with the last one being a swimmer, because I'd have made it otherwise. I had a ball, it was all too much fun.
I hung out at the base, ate my sandwich and people watched.
The crowd at the base
Then I renewed my pass for next year and said hello to A-Basin boss Alan Henceroth.
The lifts closed at 2:00. I always wait 'till then, then I head down the road.
It was a great year, I'm grateful. I think I got 60 days. Next year starts now!
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