PRESS RELEASE | 2nd Annual New England Pond Skim Championships

2nd Annual New England Pond Skim Championships in Stowe, V.T. Features Larry the Lizard and other costumes

Event raises $5,000 for the High Fives Foundation

(Stowe, VT. April 13, 2016) — On Saturday, April 9, 2016, the 2nd annual New England Pond Skim Championships were hosted on the North Slope at Stowe Mountain Resort. Enthusiastic skiers and snowboarders tried their skills at gliding across an 80- foot pond at the bottom of a ski run. Participants were dressed as Stowe legend- Larry the Lizard, a dancing bear, Louise from Bobs Burgers, clowns, a mariachi band, Swamp Man, a penguin, and the Stowe Bird.

The crowd affirmed that there is satisfaction in watching people crash.

“It was a terrific opportunity to work with Stowe to put on this event,” said Roy Tuscany, High Fives Foundation executive director. “The GoPro edit catches all the action, and it’s hilarious.” [Watch the GoPro edit HERE]

“This was one of the most fun days of the ski year, without doubt,” said Austin Stewart of Warren, V.T.. Stewart, 29, skied on double mounted Fischer jump skis with his Brett Belknap of Waitsfield, V.T.

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A pre-party was hosted on Friday evening at Doc Ponds beer bar to raise money for the High Fives Foundation with auctions and raffles. The event featured local breweries and cider including Zero Gravity, Lost Nation, Citizen Cider, The Alchemist, and Stowe Cider.

“We love showcasing local brewers in the name of a good cause,” says Denise Fitzgibbon, general manager of Doc Ponds. In all, the weekend raised $5,000 for the High Fives Foundation, a non-profit organization in mountain action sports that gives grants towards the recovery goals of athletes with life-altering injuries. From that $5,000, The High Fives Foundation will donate $1,000 to local non-profit, Friends of Stowe Adaptive.

Here are the results of Pond Skim//

Adult Overall

1. Austin Stewart and Brett Belknap

2. Zach Beck

3. Justin Helliman

Grom Overall

1. Beck Collins

2. Quinn Collins

3. Finn Collins

Best Costume

Larry the Lizard

Best Crash

Peter Walck

Johnny Klemchuk Award for Most Enthusiastic

Forest Conrad

Thank you to the sponsors of the 2nd Annual New England Pond Skim Championships!

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