About Gary King
I’m a writer, speaker and lover of all things that raise the heartbeat and tickle the senses. If there is one thing that I’ve learnt from my years of extreme sport and adventure travel is that life is for living - not spectating.
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Ice Diving in the French Alps
by Gary King on 08-Feb-10 13:45
One of the most surreal things that I have ever done is to go diving beneath the ice on Tigne Lake in France. It's a truly mesmerising experience.
Tignes Lake
The high pitched buzzing of a chainsaw echoes across the lake. The noise stops and I watch as the heavy boot kicks the circular block so that it bobs downwards leaving a cobalt blue hole vivid against the ice. The chainsaw goes to work again, this time cutting a four foot by three foot rectangle.
“Are you ready to dive?” The thick French accent bubbles with enthusiasm. “If it’s a beautiful day on the surface it is even more beautiful under the ice.”
“Eeh ooh, c’est un Telly Tubby,” says Alban
as he joins me fully suited.
I’m in Tigne in the French Alps where I’ve come to go ice diving. The setting is stunning with steep sloops rising up to snow covered peaks. Well manicured pistes dotted with skiers wind into the valley and the sun burns brightly in the clear blue sky. It is a perfect alpine day.
Cutting a whole in the ice
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I say although my reply is lost as the chainsaw’s teeth tear into the ice for a third time. The lake is completely frozen and has been visible throughout my descent by snowboard into the valley from the neighbouring resort of Val D’Isere.
“Good, in that case we’ll get ready,” says David Monmarche who is one of my instructors. He leads me to a small wooden hut that acts as both changing room and office. Various certificates of qualification hang at odd angles from the wooden walls. I give them a cursory once over and am reassured that they all seem to be in date. We are joined by my second instructor, Alban Michon who runs the ice diving school in Tigne.
After going through some essentials such as signals and use of equipment I’m soon ready to get changed. The dive is open to anybody from complete novices through to seasoned professionals; more time is spent on the introduction depending upon the diver’s level of experience.
“You only need to take off your jacket and shoes,” says Alban as I step into the dry suit which is just as well because the temperature is just above freezing according to the hut’s thermometer. My breath comes in short wispy puffs as I struggle to pull the suit’s rubber hood over my head. David appears with a bottle of talcum powder.
“Here, try this,” he says and coats the rubber with a thin dusting of talc. The resistance, although somewhat reduced still drags and I emerge with a bright red face and snow white ears. David then proceeds to push my hands into some thick blue gloves and screws them into place onto a plastic coupling that fits on the end of the arms.
The only way is down
I shuffle out of the hut, down the steps and stand in the snow.
“Eeh ooh, c’est un Telly Tubby,” laughs Alban as he joins me fully suited. This dispels any previous thoughts that I’d had about how decidedly 007 it was to snowboard down a mountain and then plunge straight into an icy expanse of water.
We follow David who pulls a sled that is laden down with air canisters, respirators and masks. The diving area is marked out on the lake with red fencing and all three of us stop by the rectangular hole.
“It is very important that we cordon off where we dive because it could be very dangerous if anybody strayed onto the ice and fell through one of the holes,” says Alban, “the holes always freeze over each night but you can never be too careful.”
The sub aquatic atmosphere
has an ethereal calming quality.
I am instructed to sit on the ice and a pair of giant yellow flippers are attached to my feet, an air canister is strapped to my back and an unfeasibly large weight belt is slung around my waist. I then dangle my feet in the hole and David pulls on my mask and respirator.
He then clips me onto a harness and I slowly lower myself in until I’m completely submerged. One of the instructors is always on the surface throughout the dive, in this case its David whilst Alban waits for me below. The transition from bright sunlight to the inky depths is surreal and it takes a few seconds for my eyes to adjust. Alban is directly in front of me with both thumbs up; I reciprocate the signal assuring him that I’m fine.
Getting ready to dive
It is truly beautiful. If there is a colour known as serene blue then this is surely it. The sub aquatic atmosphere has an ethereal calming quality. The other end of my harness is attached to a rope that is stretched between the ice holes. We float a couple of metres below the surface and slowly edge along the rope; the bubbles from our respirators surge upwards and gather under the silver ice like mercury in shimmering pools. Small cracks and fissures show the irregularity of the ice pack and a few tiny fish dart around our suits.
The disc cut by David’s chainsaw sits under the ice like a giant hockey puck adjacent to its hole. Alban gives it a gentle nudge and it slides away. Again, we trade thumbs up signals and I experiment by spinning through 360 degrees and floating up and down. Sunlight streams through one of the ice holes refracting, reflecting and cutting an eerie fan of colour through the blueness.
After thirty minutes Alban steers me to one of the circular exit points, as I emerge into the crisp alpine air David pulls me onto the ice and in one movement has me sitting upright and has removed my mask and respirator.
“How did you find it Gary? Isn’t it beautiful?”
For a few seconds I am silent as I struggle to find the words.
“C’est magnifique, David, c’est magnifique,” I eventually reply.
Going down
Filed under: Snow / Ice WaterComments (1)
Freeride World Tour 2010 - Latest News
by Gary King on 05-Feb-10 11:58
French dominate in Chamonix
Filed under: Snowboarding Skiing
Comments (0)
Space Invaders
by Gary King on 04-Feb-10 09:37
The Original.
The Best.
Click to Play.
Filed under: Games
Comments (1)
Wakeboarding with Jess Hilbery
by Gary King on 03-Feb-10 10:14
With Wakestock heading out to Abu Dhabi on the 6th March the world of wakeboarding is alive and well. As the fastest growing water sport in the world (does anybody know if that is true?) it's going from strength to strength. I've not done a huge amount of it myself but I did go out for a day with top boarder Jess Hilbery at JB waterski in Chertsey. We had a cracking day - I did manage to leap off the wake but only after taking a face plant that had water coming out and going into every orifice in my face. Nice.
Gary King getting to grips with wakeboarding. Pic by Clara Molden
I’m crouched down low in the water, bobbing around with just my head protruding from its surface. My white knuckled hands are clutching the submerged tow rope handle that is drawn close to my hips. The motorboat grumbles into life churning up a rich froth and as it begins to surge forward the rope tightens. I lean back taking the strain and somewhat miraculously rise to find myself rattling across the lake on a small fiberglass board.
I’m at JB Waterski in Chertsey, Surrey having a lesson in the UK’s fastest growing watersport, wakeboarding. I bounce across the choppy water feeling incredibly unstable; imagine being strapped to an ironing board and then being towed across a field by a tractor.
“Bend your knees Gary,” shouts my instructor Jess Hilbery from the stern of the boat, “chest up, relax.” I do as I’m told, straightening my back and squatting slightly. The difference is immediate and the whole experience becomes far more serene. Thumbs up from my teacher.
Hilbery, 27 is one of the country’s top wakeboarders. She has represented Great Britain and has won numerous titles although she’s currently under doctor’s orders after having life saving surgery.
Jess Hilbery doing what she does best. Pic by Clara Molden
“I had a kidney transplant in 2007 and was told to convalesce for a year,” she explains whilst we are taking a break, “which I did but then I decided to compete at Wakestock in 2008 after some persuasion from a close friend. I went along and decided to take it easy by just doing one trick at a time. It kind of worked out.”
Work out it did indeed. She came third in Europe’s biggest annual wakeboarding festival. Wakestock typifies how far the sport has come in a relatively short period of time. It was only in the 1980s that an America surfer called Tony Finn came up with the name skurfing for being towed behind a speedboat on a surfboard. Now twenty years on, it’s estimated that over 3 million people worldwide partake in the sport. Wakestock, now in its tenth year will attract over 30,000 thrill seekers to the town of Abersoch in North Wales with a combination of live music, DJs and of course top level competition.
At competition level, wakeboarding is all about tricks. Competitors do a series of runs; each run is judged in three categories, with points being awarded for composition, style and intensity. The wakeboarder who performs the most complex set of spins and flips, in the most extreme manner and with the most grace, wins.
Trying to get some air. Pic by Clara Molden
Back on the water my confidence is slowly building after another series of runs up and down the lake. I’ve just watched Jess perform a multitude of gravity and doctor defying loops and turns and now that’s it’s my turn I’m determined to get airborne.
“Keep the stance,” she shouts whilst gesticulating that I should now come across the back of the boat and use the wake as a launch pad. Just as I hit it, my position falters and I spin round so that I catch the front edge of the board on the water’s surface. In a millisecond all my forward energy is converted into flipping me over into a full blown faceplant. Water shoots up my nose and quite possibly every other facial orifice whilst all of the air is expelled from my lungs.
“Are you alright?” The boat has pulled leveled and a concerned face is peering over the side.
Winded, dazed and very much confused I nod in the affirmative.
“Good. We’re having another go.”
I’m back up again and although tentative at first I go through the whole routine again. Lean back, come out to the rear of the boat, bend knees, adjust stance and zip back across the wake. Bingo. I launch myself out of the water and land again without wiping out. Fantastic. Granted it wasn’t a double somersault with a backward spin but it was still air.
I wonder if they’re still taking entrants for this year’s Wakestock?
Anyone got a tissue? Pic by Clara Molden
Know the lingo
Tips from Lee Debuse. Pic by Clara Molden
Air: Getting in the air; the amount of space between the rider and the water.
Choppy: Rough water.
Faceplant: A fall where the rider catches their toeside edge causing them to fall very quickly so that their face slaps the water hard.
Eye-Opener: A fall where the rider faceplants so fast that they can't manage to close their eyes before hitting the water.
Kicker: A ramp hit by a wakeboarder to catch air.
Invert: When the rider goes upside down whilst in the air.
Switchstance: Riding the board backwards from the normal riding stance.
Glass: Smooth water.
This article first appeared in The Daily Telegraph. All pictures taken by Clara Molden.
Filed under: Water SportComments (0)
Freeride World Tour 2010 - Chamonix Results
by Gary King on 01-Feb-10 11:10
French Freestyle Star Candide Thovex Switches Gears and Takes Victory at his First FWT Freeride Contest
Ski Men: Candide Thovex FRA
Snowboard Men: Mitch Toelderer AUT
Ski Women: Jess Mc Millan USA
Snowboard Women: Susan Mol USA
Against the beautiful backdrop of the Mont-Blanc the Freeride World Tour 2010 kicked off in perfect weather conditions on the 500 metre “Pentes de l’Hôtel” face at the Brévent ski area in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. The 50 best freeriders on the planet put on an amazing performance, showing the 3000 cheering spectators the top of their game on the committing face and challenging snow conditions. The most impressive run of the day was the clean victory of French freestyle legend Candide Thovex, debuting in freeride contests, announcing a promising future.
Check out the Glen Plake video
Filed under: Snow / Ice Sport
Comments (2)
Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong AKA The Snow Leopard
by Gary King on 27-Jan-10 21:47
The Snow Leopard's Tale is one of true grit and determination against the odds.
The Snow Leopard preparing for Vancouver 2010
“I’m my own coach, doctor, physio and driver when I’m skiing,” says Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong, “I sometimes have to sleep in my van and there’s been many a time that I’ve had to come home early from a competition because I’ve run out of money.”
Nkrumah-Acheampong is the only black African on the international skiing circuit and is set to become Ghana’s first ever athlete to compete in the Winter Olympics. Not since Calgary 1988 when Eddie the Eagle flew through the skies and the Jamaican bobsleigh team inspired the film Cool Runnings will there be such furore surrounding one competitor.
What makes this story even more compelling is that Nkrumah-Acheampong AKA The Snow Leopard has only been skiing for 6 years. Although the 34 year old was born in Glasgow, he moved back to Ghana as a baby and spent the next 25 years in his homeland where the temperature rarely dips below 80F.
He returned to the UK in 2000 to attend Westminster University and eventually took a job working on the reception at the Xscape indoor ski slope in Milton Keynes. It was an offer of work that was to change the course of his life for ever.
“After I’d been there for about a week I had one thirty minute lesson and by the end of that I was able to do a hockey stop.”
To the uninitiated, this is the snow billowing halt that the pros come to in a dramatic flourish after screaming across a finishing line. Impressive stuff for a man who’s only other contact with the white stuff was when it fluttered onto his head upon arrival in Heathrow a few years before.
From that point he was hooked and within six months he was sliding down rails, doing jumps and basically ripping up the indoor slope. Dave Jacobs, the then junior British coach offered to train him and put him in touch with some ski industry movers and shakers.
“We made some T shirts that had ‘Ghana Ski Team’ printed on them and we wore them to a ski show in London to do some networking. This man approached us and asked us if we were serious or just having a laugh.”
Again another pivotal moment in Nkrumah-Acheampong’s career because the bemused inquisitor happened to be Fergie Miller, director of the international ski school, Base Camp Group. Miller ended up providing The Ghana Ski Team with an all expenses paid season in Meribel where he was able to hone his skills with professional instructors on a real mountain.
In 2005 he joined the international race circuit. The quantum leap to go from a ski resort to a racing slope is virtually unimaginable; think black ice runs that are as hard as concrete, fearsome jumps and bone rattling corners. What’s more his inclusion is no token offering by the IOC. Nkrumah-Acheampong has got there on his own merits.
“In order to qualify for Vancouver 2010 I need to have an International Ski Federation rating of less than 140. I’ve brought this down from over 1000 in the last 4 years by competing in ISF affiliated races all over the world.”
As well as the racing he has spent the last four seasons in Val Di Fiemme in Italy grinding out the mountain time. When he’s back in Milton Keynes with his wife and young family he can be found pounding the streets at five thirty in the morning or pumping weights in the gym.
With his first Olympic race in less than a month The Snow Leopard, well aware that the world’s eyes will be upon him is in bullish mood.
“I will give it everything in Vancouver,” he says , “I’m going to do all I can to get up that finishing table and in doing so I hope to inspire a new generation of youngsters to join the Ghana Ski Team. When they step out onto those Olympic slopes in the years to come I’ll be there to cheer them on.”
I bet they’re already sharpening their pencils in Hollywood.
For more information on Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong visit www.ghanaskiteam.com
This article first in The Daily Telegraph - The Snow Leopard Earns his Spot.
Filed under: Snow / Ice SportComments (1)
Jamie Endres at Redpoint Climbing Centre
by Gary King on 27-Jan-10 16:43
Guest blogger and extreme sports writer Jamie Endres has been training at Redpoint Climbing Centre in Birmingham for over a year now. He's gone from complete novice to being pretty nifty up a rockface. Here's his take on a recent session.
Leap of Faith
Grip. I need more grip. Chalk, that’s better, only a couple more moves and I’ve done it. The rope feels heavy now as I come to the end of my climb, my movements slow and deliberate. ‘Click’, that relieving sound when I manage to clip in to the next quick draw, each one a small victory as I ascend to the top of the wall, 40ft in the air.
I’m at Redpoint Climbing Centre in Birmingham, a climbers’ paradise all under one roof. I came today looking for a few steady climbs with my climbing buddies, but under the persuasive influence of the centre’s jubilant staff, and the promise of a homemade cake when I get down, I find myself pushing more and more, higher and harder.
The staff at Redpoint are always on hand to offer encouragement, whether it be a pointer to the next move, or simply shouting, “Go on Jay!”, it creates a buzzing atmosphere, I feel like everyone is behind me, driving me up the wall. I’ve been climbing at Redpoint for a little over a year, when I first came here I was a total beginner, I was welcomed into the centre with open arms, and with the excellent relaxed yet professional teaching skills of the staff I quickly progressed to be a accomplished lead climber.
This next moves a big reach, I scan the wall for alternative routes, there’s nothing, I’m going to have to dyno. I ask for a little slack on the rope from my partner, steady my feet and prepare to leap, “Go on Jay, it’s just a dyno!”, always playful. “Yeah” I reply sheepishly, “just a dyno”. I spring off with both off my feet, using all the energy I can muster, I feel my fingers grasp the hold, I grip with everything I have, now searching with my feet for the foot hold, desperately trying to take the weight off my hand. I find it, my saviour, adrenaline pumping through me, the next two moves are easy, confidence fills me, I clip in, lean back, and make my decent, victorious.
The centre has over 200 hundred routes, with a wide range of grades, making it ideal for both beginners and experts, it also boasts 2 large bouldering areas capable of straining the skills of even the most technically able climbers, making every visit enjoyable and challenging. You will find yourself quite literally hooked.
For more information about the Redpoint Climbing Centre visit www.redpointclimbingcentre.co.uk.
Jamie Endres on the wall. Pic by Becky Blaymires.
Leaping faithfully. Pic by Becky Blaymires.
Filed under: Activities Fitness Jamie EndresComments (0)
Shaun White Double McTwist 12
by Gary King on 27-Jan-10 09:41
This is pretty tasty. Does what it says on the tin.....
The Double McTwist 12 - Shaun White's New Trick in anticipation of the Olympics
Filed under: Snow / Ice Snowboarding
Comments (4)
Red Bull Stratos Sky Dive from the Edge of Space
by Gary King on 25-Jan-10 15:31
This is a great story and one I know a little bit about because I had a chat with Steve Truglia, a British stuntman, who has been planning to jump from the edge of space for some years now. Check out his website here. He's had trouble funding the record breaking attempt and his main competition has been from another Frenchman, a 64 year old retired colonel called Michel Fournier who is planning to launch in May 2010. On his last attempt his balloon went up without him. Steve Truglia is still looking for a major sponsor to fund the bid. I wish him luck.
Amongst the myriad of problems facing these would-be edge of space jumpers is the need to get through the jet stream in order to get to 120,000+ feet in the first place. This needs to be done by popping through a 'window' that is only available at various times and in certain parts of the world. There's also the issue of the lack of air at this altitude. This is why they need to wear space suits - otherwise they'd quickly succumb to a rather nasty demise.
Somewhat incredibly the record for a jump from this altitude was set nearly fifty years ago by former Air Force pilot Joseph Kittinger on 16th August 1960. This man was really pushing the boundaries of adventure and endeavour as nothing like this had ever been done before. During the descent his glove split making his hand swell to twice its normal size. He landed however and in doing so set a record that still stands today.
Red Bull recently announced that Felix Baumgartner will attempt the jump. Billed as the Red Bull Stratos mission it might see Kittinger's record at last fall.
Filed under: Air Other Sky Diving Expeditions
Comments (4)
The Known Universe
by Gary King on 23-Jan-10 11:06
And now for something a little different......
This is so good just had to share it.
What's it all about?
Filed under: Other Random
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