Sledding: A Concord Tradition
Ryan Blankenship
Issue date: 2/11/09 Section: Student Life
Holding with Concord tradition, the University is deep into the sledding season. With the exception of last week, this winter has proven to be quite fruitless in providing Concord students with enough snow to properly have fun sledding.
With last week's storm spreading snowfall totals of around half a foot on the Campus Beautiful, students were out in force to enjoy the fresh powder.
Among a good number of Concord's time-honored traditions, undoubtedly one of the most fun would be the ritualistic sledding in the valley. Starting at the top of the hill behind the Jerry Beasley Student Center between Sarvay Hall and Wilson Hall, a fairly steep hill runs some 75 feet down into the valley near the Rahall Center.
When sufficient snowfalls collect on the campus, this area turns into a winter wonderland; but can also be quite dangerous.
So far this season, no major injuries have been reported, but in years past, carelessness and lack of preparation caused a headache for both students and the administration.
Students have broken bones, sprained ankles, and bruised many tailbones rocketing down this slope.
Students in the past have made this tradition into something of a wacky sport, improvising sleds from some of the most unique items.
Some of the most common items that students find to ride down the hill are garbage bags, garbage can lids, and even cafeteria lunch trays.
The valley sledding may be enjoyed and the average person can also make proper precautions to protect themselves and others from injury.
If you make a ramp, do not make it too high. Students will mound snow into a pile and slope one side midway down the hill to hit on the way down to catch a small bit of air. But this small bit of air can prove to be very dangerous. If the ramp is too large and the student is going too fast, what started out as a whimsical ride down the hill turns into a spinning, flailing, screaming mass of confusion.
Make sure you have the proper equipment. Actually buy a sled or inner tube. Not that there is anything wrong with a garbage bag wrapped around your body, but a proper sled minimizes the trash that can be left behind when the bag rips and can be purchased for quite a small amount at Wal-Mart.
Do not steal the lunch trays in the cafeteria. This speaks for itself. Do not multi-ride. The more people on a single sled, the better chance for injury.
Enjoy the winter weather. It can be done quite safely. There is still enough time left for more snow.
With last week's storm spreading snowfall totals of around half a foot on the Campus Beautiful, students were out in force to enjoy the fresh powder.
Among a good number of Concord's time-honored traditions, undoubtedly one of the most fun would be the ritualistic sledding in the valley. Starting at the top of the hill behind the Jerry Beasley Student Center between Sarvay Hall and Wilson Hall, a fairly steep hill runs some 75 feet down into the valley near the Rahall Center.
When sufficient snowfalls collect on the campus, this area turns into a winter wonderland; but can also be quite dangerous.
So far this season, no major injuries have been reported, but in years past, carelessness and lack of preparation caused a headache for both students and the administration.
Students have broken bones, sprained ankles, and bruised many tailbones rocketing down this slope.
Students in the past have made this tradition into something of a wacky sport, improvising sleds from some of the most unique items.
Some of the most common items that students find to ride down the hill are garbage bags, garbage can lids, and even cafeteria lunch trays.
The valley sledding may be enjoyed and the average person can also make proper precautions to protect themselves and others from injury.
If you make a ramp, do not make it too high. Students will mound snow into a pile and slope one side midway down the hill to hit on the way down to catch a small bit of air. But this small bit of air can prove to be very dangerous. If the ramp is too large and the student is going too fast, what started out as a whimsical ride down the hill turns into a spinning, flailing, screaming mass of confusion.
Make sure you have the proper equipment. Actually buy a sled or inner tube. Not that there is anything wrong with a garbage bag wrapped around your body, but a proper sled minimizes the trash that can be left behind when the bag rips and can be purchased for quite a small amount at Wal-Mart.
Do not steal the lunch trays in the cafeteria. This speaks for itself. Do not multi-ride. The more people on a single sled, the better chance for injury.
Enjoy the winter weather. It can be done quite safely. There is still enough time left for more snow.
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