Left to Right: Dr. Robb Gaffney MD, Jim Moran, Jay Waller, Jiro Nakamura
Bikeskills’ Jiro Nakamura, listens to Dr. Robb Gaffney MD, a specialist in treating traumatic brain injuries TBI (and well as the co-founder of Skiskills) discuss the long lasting effects of brain injuries during break a in filming this past Sunday. The round table group included six time World Cup winner (freestyle skiing) and brain injury survivor, Jim Moran, his close friend and Olympic Gold Medalist, Jonny Moseley.
Going The Distance. A Documentary Film on Traumatic Brain Injury
This past weekend, Jiro joined another Epic Way Sports team project, the in-progress, “Going The Distance” documentary on traumatic brain injury. It was great to have Jiro with many of the other Epic Way Sports principals including Dr. Robb Gaffney MD, and Jonny Moseley of Skiskills.
Journalist Jiro Skis with the Big Guns
Jiro’s original idea was to watch, listen, and ultimately write an article about the Going The Distance documentary. He ended up getting either a bonus, or, possibly more than he asked for – or wanted – when the Skiskills crew slapped some skis on him and made him cowboy-up with some of the best skiers in the world at Squaw Valley.
Even though he hadn’t been skiing in the new millennium Jiro more than held his own out there. After a few pointers from some skiing World Cup vets – whom former World Cup cyclist Jiro is now on the hook to return cycling instruction to – Jiro was displaying some pretty sweet form. And if you don’t believe it, we’ll be posting some video, shot by skiing’s best director and cinematographer, Scott Gaffney… in full High Definition no less!
Although he claims he was completely wiped out after a day of hanging out with skiing’s big dogs, Jiro said he was even more inspired by the stories of hope, disappointment, and the ultimate recovery of the athletes he met this past weekend. Look for the complete story both here and elsewhere from Jiro soon.
TBI. If it Doesn’t Happen to You, it Most Likely Will Happen to Someone You Know and Care About
So what does Going The Distance have to do with Bikeskills? In a word: everything. Traumatic brain injuries aren’t confined to any one sport, or activity: most result from work place and household falls. But let’s face it, action sports, be it cycling, skiing, climbing, are well known producers of brain injuries. And by raising awareness and funding for research and treatment, we know we can help. And if you would like to help us complete Going The Distance, or know an individual or organization who you think would be interested in working with us, please contact Rob Howard at rhoward@bikeskills.com or call 415-388-1260
For More About Going The Distance
Don’t forget to go the Going The Distance informational website at: http://www.goingthedistance.info
Some Going The Distance Skiing Action on Monday. Check back for more photos and video!
Epic Way Sports’ Rob Howard taking shots of the GTD team in the Ski Patrol shack just before they are let loose on Squaw’s runs… all by themselves for a couple of hours!
Olympic Gold Medalist Jonny Moseley makes some adjustments before hitting the slopes with the Going The Distance crew and Bikeskills’ Jiro Nakamura.
Moseley in action. Even when he’s not skiing moguls there’s no mistaking a bumper’s style!
Few people ski with the power and grace that are the hallmarks of Arne Backstrom’s skiing
Arne driving hard. Arms up and out, stacked body position, head up… sounds like the right way to ride a mountain bike and indeed there is crossover in doing action sports the right way
Skiing’s best director and cimentographer, Scott Gaffney, gets down to work on fresh corduroy coutesy of Squaw’s grooming crew
World Cup Champion, two-time Olympian and traumatic brain injury survivor, Jim Moran, in Squaw’s Sun Chutes off Tower 16
James “Woody” Woodruff driving hard and making his edges work do all the work on Siberia Ridge
Dr. Robb Gaffney MD making it look all so easy and throwing up some roost on the Headwall Nose run
Top Gun Instructor pilot, Cmdr Craig Sorensen USN, in the front seat maching down Squaw’s Headwall
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