Luge
WHAT'S THE DEAL?
Hurtle down a tunnel of ice with minimal protection at about 60 kilometres an hour.
WHERE'S IT AT?
There's a saying in luge circles: Bobsled is like a semi, skeleton is a stock car, and luge is a Ferrari. That wasn't the word that came to mind when I saw the tiny frame I was supposed to put my not-tiny frame on with only a helmet and elbow pads for protection through five corners of an Olympic luge run. Two curved blades and a small, roped-in seat are all that separate you from the ice in this frozen waterslide. They warn you at Canada Olympic Park not to wear your best duds as you may scuff them up bumping the walls. Oh, and big boots are good – your arms and ankles, warns Alberta head coach Monica Gorham, are the first things to hit.
Before your name is announced over the loudspeakers (yes, you are an Olympic contender!), the coach tells you how to achieve your best speed. Luge is all about the shoulders. Just as you would turn the handlebars of a bike, or the steering wheel on your car, a slight turn of your shoulders guides the direction of the sled. But if you're like me, you'll keep your arms arrow-straight at your side, grip the barely there bit of metal under your hips and hang on tight. You can look up, but it will slow you down … and you don't really want to see at that speed. Before you know it, about 30 seconds have passed and you have whipped past the finish line.
WHO'S IT FOR?
Speed demons and adrenaline junkies. I guarantee you: One slide won't be enough. Time a visit with children 8 to 14 to Calgary's Olympic Park on Jan. 29 or Feb. 6 for recruitment camps that are open to the public, no matter where you live. For $30, those days only, kids get repeat runs and instruction. Regular price is $30 a run, with public rides on Jan. 29 from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Jan. 30 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., and Feb. 5 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and Feb. 6 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. After your run, you'll receive a timesheet after you complete your run.
