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Boarders catch air at Watson Lake Riders event

Snowboard Yukon has brought the CS Riders program down to Watson Lake every winter for the last few years, but this past weekend was completely different.

Snowboard Yukon has brought the CS Riders program down to Watson Lake every winter for the last few years, but this past weekend was completely different.

Instead of snowboard slalom races, the two-day Riders camp ended with a “jump jam” competition at Watson Lake’s Mt. Maichen Ski Hill on Sunday.

“Last year we had Tyler Nichol, who is the park builder at (Whitehorse’s Mount) Sima, go down and do a little bit of work and install some new features,” said David Pharand, Snowboard Yukon’s recreation development coordinator. “This past summer it looks like Mt. Maichen got some earth moved around.”

Six Watson Lake boarders took part in the competition, which was the first-ever jump jam in a CS Riders event in the territory. The results were based on each competitor’s best jump in three attempts.

Jennifer Kroeker took first place in the 12-15 age group, with a switch frontside 180. Nate McMillan placed second hitting a frontside 360. Darius Laverdure did a straight air with a mute grab for third.

Seth Laverdure won the 12-and-under division with a straight air with a double grab. Stedson Laverdure completed a straight air with a mute grab for second.

“I was super-impressed with all of the riding,” said Pharand. “Every single youth did something they had never done before and I was really proud to see the progression over the course of two days.”

Snowboard Yukon has decided to focus on the communities this season with CS Riders, nation-wide program established by Canada Snowboard for youngsters to learn competitive snowboard skills.

They will next host a Riders event at the Bear Mountain Ski Hill in Dawson City and hope to hold one in Haines Junction later this winter. Dates have yet to be determined.

Contact Tom Patrick at

tomp@yukon-news.com