Posted on 01/01/2010 6:53:19 AM PST by BillyBonebrake
Kevin Pearce of Norwich, Vt., considered a medal contender in snowboarding in the upcoming Vancouver Olympics, suffered a serious head injury during halfpipe training yesterday in Park City, Utah. Attempting a double cork twisting double backflip, the 22-year-old Pearce slammed his head against the edge of the halfpipe and was knocked unconscious. He was flown to the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City, where doctors planned to drain fluid that was building up in his brain. ... In an interview seven weeks ago, Pearce talked about the difficulty of the double cork and how landing it would affect the sport: “The whole idea of them is to do the two flips, which has never really been done in the halfpipe. Snowboarding halfpipe is going to completely change. You’ve got to be in peak physical condition, because if one thing goes wrong, it’s kind of the end of your season.’’
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
I know the feeling. I got creamed by a 20-something snowboarder while boarding 2 days ago. Thank G-d I was wearing a helmet. As it is, I am still feeling the effects of a mild concussion. Its dangerous out there, especially on the blue hills where novices get out of control.
Dangerous sport
So unfortunate. Prayers up that he recovers quickly.
I hit a tree last February & spent 3 days at Dartmouth Hitchcock!
I’m soooo glad my sons and grandsons play tennis and golf and other weenie sports.
The spin quickens.
Prayers for him and his family.
The West coast snowboard scene has kind of a reputation for liking the ganja. Is that true in the East also?
(Not implying anything here, just asking a general question)
BTW I do believe they will be testing for THC at the Olympics ....
My son hit a tree 3 days before Christmas (snowboarding at Breckenridge) and his knee is still swollen - he is still limping around....I’m so glad it wasn’t his head that hit that tree...
Not wearing a helmet?
For those wondering about their kids and snowboarding: keep them out of the terrain parks, and the injury rate goes WAY down.
But Golf, its just as dangerous with all the groupies...
I read that he got hit in his forehead, so the helmet wouldn’t have helped him.
“But Golf, its just as dangerous with all the groupies...”
And wives who have access to golf clubs.
Sad story. That edge was probably like “boiler plate”. Hope he recovers with no permanent injury.
At most these kids are wearing what, a bicycle helmet? The clowns on the TV gladiator shows are better protected.
Maybe all underage “extreme” stunt boarders (skate, snow, whatever) that use these half pipes should be required to wear football pads and neck support helmets like NASCAR.
What other sports would not require the proper safety equipment to prevent these kind of injuries?
They make it look so easy, so effortless, flying around, almost easy enough a caveman could do it..
BUT.. Physics is an unforgiving science. Even ‘Pros’ with safety equipment can get hurt badly.
Prayers for the kid and full recovery.
Lat year my son broke his wrist boarding in the terrain park. He had to miss the last half of hockey season.
This year he hasn’t been begging to go snowboarding yet.
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