What My Daughters Have Realized From Flying Via Mid-Air

I’m a solo dad to a few superior teenage women. And as I’ve watched every of them soar — actually, up within the air, twisting and turning above snow-capped mountains — I’ve felt no worry for them. As a result of I do know the steps they took to get there, and the teachings they’ve realized alongside the best way.

A number of years in the past, we moved to Vail, Colorado, as a result of all three of them have been keen about snowboarding, and never simply casually. They wished to excel at it.

My youngest, now 14, is so superior that she’s up in opposition to women older than her. Solely a handful of women within the nation can do what’s referred to as a Cork 7 on snow, and she or he’s the youngest. Keep in mind the identify Ava Keenan. She’s dedicated to turning into the primary Black skier to win an Olympic gold medal.

I really like snowboarding, and it’s been a race to see who can ski higher than dad. I hate to confess it, however within the moguls, navigating massive bumps on a steep slope, Ava’s received me. The opposite two are nonetheless making an attempt.

Conquer your fears

All three — Kenna, Elle, and Ava — realized to ski freestyle and flip within the air. Elle and Ava do moguls; Kenna does park and pipe, with an emphasis on the halfpipe. She will get a very good 8 to 10 ft out of the pipe. I can’t describe to you ways scary that’s — at first.

That’s a giant a part of what I really like about their adventures in snowboarding. To attain what they’ve completed, they’ve needed to face fears and overcome them.

Individuals study classes from every kind of sports activities. However most different sports activities don’t actually contain worry. You study self-discipline, arduous work, and different expertise, positive. However there’s little to be truly afraid of. Freestyle snowboarding is totally different. There’s a lot to be afraid of.

I noticed this clearly when Kenna was studying to ski rails, and labored her means as much as doing jumps 20 to 30 ft excessive. It’s scary at first. However the exhilaration and sense of accomplishment beat out the worry.

Accidents do occur in fact. As soon as, one other skier minimize in entrance of her as she was coming in change, which suggests snowboarding backwards whereas conserving your physique dealing with ahead. He clipped her skis, sending Kenna flying backwards into the face of the soar, splitting her helmet nearly in half. She suffered a moderately critical concussion, however the helmet did shield her from a extra critical head harm. She recovered rapidly, and didn’t wish to hand over.

Belief the method

Individuals who see their air acrobatics generally ask me whether or not I’m afraid for his or her security after I watch them. With out hesitation, the reply is not any. There’s good cause for that: I do know the method that received them there. So I do know what they’re ready for and might deal with.

I do know the hours they spent studying to do all this stuff on trampolines. Then pits. Then water ramps. Alongside the best way, they fell, however realized to deal with the spills safely. They’ve additionally had nice coaches who know after they’re prepared for the following step.

What may look to different folks like a wild, daring threat, is to me a stage of their development, the results of a ton of observe, willpower, and braveness. The type of braveness that’s earned by expertise. Braveness backed up by reliable confidence.

As their dad, I would like them to take all that into the challenges they face sooner or later.

Budding entrepreneurship

There’s additionally one other side of this that I really like for them. Finally, snowboarding is a solo enterprise. There’s essential teamwork alongside the best way, in studying, supporting fellow skiers, and representing a bunch that you just compete as part of. However while you’re on the slopes, it’s all as much as you.

As an entrepreneur myself centered on gross sales progress, I would like my daughters to hold that spirit of individuality into their futures, figuring out that they will turn into entrepreneurs as properly. I would like them to have sufficient religion in themselves and their talents to pursue their objectives. They’re racing forward on that entrance, too. Ava launched her personal enterprise, Kosak, promoting ski attire, and my center, Elle, is launching a clothes line for girls with lengthy legs. (She’s 5’10” with a 34-inch inseam and might by no means discover pants that match.)

Kenna will quickly head off to varsity. It received’t be lengthy earlier than Elle and Ava attain maturity too. And positive, identical to any mother or father, I’ve worries. However I remember what they’ve already achieved. I do know that they’ve received what it takes to succeed in the heights they aspire to and land on their ft — or, in the event that they fall, choose themselves up and preserve going. As their dad, that’s what I would like for them. And I couldn’t be prouder. They’re ready!

Photographs courtesy of creator

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