August 17/06 3:12 am - Gravity Logic Forum In Whistler Aims To Expand Downhill Mountain Biking Industry

Posted by Editoress on 08/17/06
 

Inaugural Gravity Logic Forum In Whistler Aims To Expand Downhill Mountain Biking Industry

Training of next generation trail builders, instructors and management will be focus of innovative event

Gravity Logic, designer and developer of the world-renowned Whistler Mountain Bike Park, will host the inaugural Gravity Logic Forum to train the next generation of park riding trail builders, instructors, and management. The forum will take place in Whistler, British Columbia from September 12-15, 2006.

The Gravity Logic Forum was designed in response to overwhelming international interest for Gravity Logic to share the latest skills and knowledge in the areas of development and operation of mountain bike parks.

"The opportunity to create this forum stems from the fact that there is no other similar forum in the world," says Rob McSkimming, Gravity Logic's Managing Director. "Only by sharing our information and encouraging the success of other mountain bike parks, will we be able to grow the sport, and ultimately be more successful in what we do."

The Gravity Logic Forum has three components: the Management Seminar on September 12, the Trail Building School from September 13 to 15, and the Whistler Mountain Bike Park Instructor Development Program from September 13 to 15 and from September 17 to 20.

The key highlight of the Management Seminar will be an open discussion regarding the state of the park riding market and its future. The seminar will also cover product development for bike parks, risk management, marketing bike parks, securing partnerships for park riding and rental bike strategies. The Management Seminar has been designed for managers, marketers, vice presidents, directors and owners of resorts with, or who are planning to build bike parks.

The Trail Building School on September 13-15 will have the largest impact on the quality of future trails. The school will be led by Dave Kelly, Gravity Logic's Trail Building and Construction Manager, and Tom Prochazka, Gravity Logic's Operations Manager. Students will learn techniques for building mountain bike trails using dirt, rock, armouring and wood, machine operation, risk mitigation techniques and how to build cost-effective and environmentally responsible trails.

Level 1 and Level 2 Whistler Mountain Bike Park Instructor Development Program courses will be offered on September 13-15 and September 17-20 respectively. The course content focuses on mountain bike skills, technique, teaching and guiding skills. The Park Riding Instructor Certification curriculum was developed by Whistler Mountain Bike Park coaches Tom Radke, Mike Johnstone and Ken Doherty (spelling) utilizing years of experience leading the guiding and instruction programs in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park to develop the program.

For more information or to register, visit www.whistlergravitylogic.com.