JAY PANTHER MAKES U.S. SKI TEAM

Hello,

I am writing today filled with elation as I have accomplished my life long dream...earning a spot on the U.S. Ski Team!!! I competed this past week at the U.S. Ski Team Selections event in Steamboat Springs, CO and finished second overall. This result also means I get my first two World Cup starts in Lake Placid, NY January 21 and 22.

The week was a roller coaster. The first day I qualified 3rd with the fastest run of the day and followed that up with an improved finals run that earned me 6th. The second day I was having my best run of the week in qualifying and my ski pole broke in half just after landing the top air. I was able to hold it together and finish my run with one pole but I qualified 11th which is not an ideal position to win finals. I knew I had to lay it all on the line and ski an amazing run or blow out trying. I skied the run I had to and finished second on the day and in the overall! Despite everything I never lost focus on what I had to do, ski my run.

I have attached a video from my second place run and some pictures of the new suit. I have also copied the press release to the bottom of this email. I have dedicated the last seven years of my life to this moment and all the hard work has finally paid off. The last couple of days have been a complete whirlwind and it still has not all sunk in. I am doing my best to embrace this time but am aware that this is just another step (be it the best step I have ever taken). My goals are still set on winning World Cups and ultimately the Olympics. Thank you for all your love and support.

In God's Love

Jay Panther

U.S. Ski Team Member (It feels good just typing it)

LOCAL ATHLETE WINS PLACE ON 2011 U.S SKI TEAM

Jay Panther earned himself the prestigious place on the 2011 U.S. Freestyle Ski Team on Tuesday, December 22, 2010. Panther finished 2^nd overall at the two day U.S. Ski Team 'Selection' Event in Steamboat, CO. With a 6th place finish on Sunday, December 19^th, the pressure was on for Tuesday’s competition. It was a nail-biting, 11^th hour adventure – Panther’s equipment was missing the morning of his first round on Tuesday. He managed to find his skis, however he couldn’t find his poles. Borrowing his coaches’ poles, he rocketed onto the 1^st run qualifying course:

“Panther broke his pole halfway through the qualifying run. He was ripping, skiing awesome, when all of the sudden he had a serious bobble. He recovered and 2 turns later had another little bobble. Then he ripped the rest of the run and hit his bottom air perfectly balanced. He crossed the finish line, held up his right pole and 1/2 of it was gone. The bobbles had come at the break and when he instinctively tried to plant the pole again. The way he adjusted is quite a tribute to his strength and athleticism”. (Source: L.J. Panther, Jay Panther’s father)

Finishing 11^th on his 1^st run, Jay was steadfast to win his 2^nd run. Borrowing another set of poles from his coach with nothing to lose, filled with sheer grit and white knuckle determination, Jay skied flawlessly taking 2^nd place on his 2^nd run which earned him the last spot on the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team.

“The U.S. Selection event is probably the hardest of the year”’ said Head Coach, Scott Rawles. “This is their one big shot to open the door. It really is a make or break event” (Source: Utah Skier Online 2010)

L.J. Panther, Jay Panther’s father, was able to be there for the event and he commented on his son’s success. “We went to the U.S. team coach's hotel and it was like X-mas. They laid the team gear under this huge X-mas tree. He got this huge suitcase on wheels with US ski team logos on it with a snowflake theme.....very cool. He got the team uniform which is a huge status symbol, of course. He got 3 pairs of ski pants, 3 jackets of different weights, gloves, socks, long underwear etc. etc....all with U.S. Ski team plastered all over them. It's been a long 6 years since this kid headed west to resume competitive skiing. He almost made the team a couple of times only to face disappointment. We all began to ask how much longer he was going to pursue this, but he never wavered....he would compete until he got where he wanted to go. I guess hard work really does get paid off in the end.”

Jay graduated from Ballard High School in Louisville, Kentucky, where he won the Wendy's High School Heisman Trophy, was a Coca-Cola Scholar and also an 8 time first team academic all-state winner, as well as a President's Scholar. Jay went to Vanderbilt on a full scholarship and played baseball his freshman year before leaving to head west to compete again.

In the fall of 2010, Panther also received his “A” level beach volley card to compete professionally next summer when he can’t get to the snow. This past summer he was in Louisville, Kentucky to compete in the "Old School Side OutTournament" along with other AVP stars and local athletes.

Jay is now a member of the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team. He has won International events and defeated Olympic Champions and looks forward to competing in the 2014 Winter Olympics.

For further information, interviews, photos and videos please contact Jay Panther’s Manager – Ashleigh. E .Cromer on561-460-8217.

Snowy Smokies Fun

Well we got some good snow out here in the Smokies and went to go up to the park to check out and see if anything would be boardable which consequently turned out to have all the roads closed. During our mission to find a suitable slope we found a pretty little waterfall out by Cherokee which Tim tried to claim might be runnable sometime but I don't know after looking at it. We also made our way out to look at some of the mountains covered and still nothing suitable. Drove back to Moonshadow and chilled for a little bit restarting the fire and talking to some of the neighbors there. Then we were told about the Sequoyah National Golf Course by one of the Neighbors when we were saying we were looking for a good steep hilly area to go snowboard at. Once again we made way down the icy driveway and back out in search of the course.
As we made our way down the highway we found the golf course and headed up the steep hills to find a beautiful layout before our eyes. Then out of the pro shop popped one of the employees and we began to fear we were about to be told to scram. However after a bit of discussion with the guys they allowed us to head on out to the hill and have a great time riding all over. Then as we geared up and got out to the lip we were greeted by a couple employees watching us ride it out. So we wound up finding ourselves a nice little gem on a day where all our hope was originally dashed by a lack of GSMNP. Hope everyone else is having as good of a time as we are here down south. Peace Paul

Gauley and such

WOW Fall was busy

West Virginia sun set from Rick-O-Shay's ultralight

Commercial raft guiding on Gore Canyon was great until I crashed kayaking and messed up my ankle in Cheeseman canyon, what to hear the whole story click here ouch.

Commercial raft guiding in WV on the Upper Gauley is always rewarding. I have a stealer group of return clients that allow me to play hard and work on new and not so standard lines. Including the Double Death Spiral into Iron Ring, and just letting them go through the Box Canyon on there own.



During the Gauley three day mid weeks it is up to us to find some trouble, like flying in Ultra lights and Caving 

Ridding with the master of all that is sketchy Rick-O-Shay.

Casey and Hammer above a 20 foot drop deep in the cave

Casey and Hammer Checking out some stalactites

Hammer repelling

Tubing the upper Gauley with Casey Tango,
There had been so much shit talk about it after my good friend Mike Edwards accomplished the amazing and definitely stupid feat of tubing the Upper Gauley, we had to follow suit. The next friday we had a bunch of coffee, talked a little more shit, and went down to the local tire store looking for inter-tubes. The guy behind the counter was more then happy to help, what size you need, I reach my arms out beyond my sides, about like this, we are going to go tubing down the river. Well this is what I usually sell to folks that are going to take there kids out. Perfect we'll take two. That was that we had tubes next up a little padding. We stopped over at River Expeditions and grabbed a couple wet suits. We tossed a couple extra beers and a roll of gorilla tape (our patch kit) in our support raft and hoped in the river. It was off to the races, we had solid left lines through Insignificant. When you bump your feet off of Pillow Rock while siting fat man style in an inter-tube there is no doubt you had a great line. Next up the scary one Lost Paddle, Casey and I had lines that would put most raft guides to shame big Hawaii 5-0 hits and supper clean lines into Tumble home. Once in Tumble home the shit talk caught up to us again and we both went through the Mail Box Slot. At this point we were feeling pretty sure of our new found skills and Casey called for a left left line at Ship Wreck. I in turn called out for Death Spirals into Iron Ring, I went a little further right then expected and had some serious down time in the top hole just to pop up right before taking a big Wood-stock hole hit. As we floated into Sweets falls we both under stood what was about to happen, we looked at each other and simultaneously the words came to our lips, MELTDOWN! Tango managed to style it on the other hand I got totally beat down. As I slowly found my way out of my pounding I looked over to see Casey stamping his tube and getting pulled up on Postage Due. I went for the same line and got blown off into the Box Canyon. I had a great line through the Box, and climbed up the back side of Postage Due to celebrate a very successful tubing mission of the Upper Gauley.

Casey Tango getting a hand up onto Postage Due

Upper Youghiogheny, Seems there is always some issue with the damn release on the Youghiogheny, it is early, it's late, There is always some rumor of something usually not true. Last year International House Of Pancakes Falls burnt to the ground, but it looked good this year. Anyways the initial big three day midweek release did get canceled and as Gauley season rolled on Casey Tango and I got more and more restless about missing one of our favorite traditions. So fifth weekend we got the heads up that the river was going to run, unfortunately my personal favorite part of the Upper Youghiogheny was closed. The Riverside Hotel, they do the best vegetarian food anywhere, and it is one of my favorite restaurants any where. O well there is always next year, and the river as always produced some great entertainment.

Let the show begin

B-Real boofing International House of Pancake Falls

Casey enjoying the show

Some of the paddlers even like to pull there skirt and still paddle to the eddy

A small but excited crowd at National Falls

Another great time spent in West Virginia and Marry Land.
Chris Baer

Winter Has Come

Down here in the South East winter has made its way with this bit of cold weather. Snowboarding is now in full swing as many of the local mountains are now open for business. Granted its SE snowboarding so its icy and nasty but hey its better then nothing. However more recently with Ty's fall break aligning with my break from work we were able to get out to Eternity on the East Fork of the Tuck and do a bit of filming. Here are the results of the time spent there.

I named the video Modality due to it being a word that I think describes the sensation of kayaking pretty well. Modality is defined as any of the various types of sensations. Thus I felt that the sensations we feel during kayaking are pretty euphoric and could be well described by this word. Hope everyone else is doing good and hopefully we will get some rain/snow here again down South and the treats will be open for the taking again. Peace Paul

compilation vid

Well, guess theres no lying now.... the snow has come, the rivers are frozen and paddling season is over here in Terrace. Fortunately, it is only a short drive to Butze Rapids where with some good cold water gear, a person can get big surf all year long. Also plannin a few weeks of surfing on Haida Gwaii over the break, but in the meantime, heres a vid of some paddlin trips from last season and a bit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5k2RB1hCrE

Jay Panther Fall 2010

Hello, I am writing from Apex, B.C. I have been up here for the last week and will be here for another week. There is a full mogul course and the training is absolutely great! I have attached a video from my training yesterday, enjoy and know it will only get better! I am still knocking the rust off my skiing and jumping but I am very happy with how I am doing. I have my first contest of the year in two weeks in Steamboat Springs, CO. It is U.S. Freestyle Ski Team Selections Event and if I am first or second overall after the two day event, I will be promoted to the U.S. Freestyle C Team and earn World Cup Starts this season!!! I am training hard and have no doubt that I will be in the best imaginable position to win the event. I had a great fall season in L.A. I trained daily at Virtual Snow and played a lot of volleyball. I earned my B and then A rating in two man beach volleyball. Once I earn my AA and AAA ratings I will be able to compete in professional tournaments! I think that it was a perfect fall of training and preparation for the upcoming ski season. Beach volleyball is all plyometrics and explosiveness, precisely what I need for skiing. Virtual Snow really fine tuned my skiing abilities and balance so when I did get on snow I was already way ahead of the curve. Please keep me in your prayers. Thank you for all your love and support! Jay Panther

LET IT RAIN!

Well as was painfully evident we got a ton of rain over the past couple of days which brought in plenty of the goods. On tuesday Brad Caldwell, Shayne Day and myself headed out into Graham County with the greatest of intentions. After realizing the guy with the directions to the First D put-in was in Ecuador we went onto Yellow Creek while it was still pouring rain out. We got out to the gauge and saw it was at a good level and on the rise so we decided to hike up in fear that the river may flash. So we got up to the twenty footer and gave 'er all having good clean lines. Then we kept on boogying down through some good rapids portaged the sieve and keep on going down until we got to Cheoah and started it with around 400 CFS however by the time we got to the Forest Service Bridge the river had gotten up to around 1000 CFS. By the time we got to the lake though we were riding around 2000 CFS which is always a perfect level and brings in some awesome wave trains and makes the holes in the lower section burly which makes it even better. With clean lines and good times we all hit the lake and were still pumped and talking about the next day little did I know what would ultimately be in-store. As the night progressed plans were laid to run Upper Santeelah which has been one of the creeks in the area I have wanted to get onto. The weather turned out to be a brisk 23 degrees at the put-in however the level was great. Getting closer and closer to the put-in it began to snow and snow was sticking to the ground and had laid a bit already. Up the mountain we went and the view kept getting better and better as the mountain tops shown white with a blue bird sky in the background. As we put-in I was a bit nervous but ready for the action that was to come. That day we had a crew of five boaters Tim Madison, Joe Barkley, Steven Matz, Eli Smith and myself. Steven had hit the run the most and had all the beta down solidly however we still had to check for wood left and right because it is an old growth forest and it had been storming. Wood in drops eventually led to my demise and hike off the river. I took a pretty bad swim at one of the more technical slide rapids in the upper section where most of the larger rapids are. To give you a visual of what happened to make me tuck tail and stuff the pride here is the story. The first rapid in the section of what I am referring to as the Dendrology Rapids. It was not necessarily to nasty rapid wise with a narrowing slot move with a undercut right you had to slide somewhat near. However the wood that was in the rapid forced you directly into a super small gap with the tree limb boxing you closer and leaving only a 3 foot slot to make it through. Tim, Steven and Eli made it through nicely but after seeing the log in I chose to take the short hike and seal launch back in. After that the second of the Dendrology Rapids was in the lurk. the move was a left to right down a long slide with a decent hole at the bottom that had a massive old growth log leaning into the left side of the hole backing it up. I am not entirely sure how steep the rapid was but like most other ones on Santeelah it was burly and big. After watching a nice clean line down it I bucked up got my head in the game and went for it. As i got left things were going good. It then came time to charge back to the right which is where my problem laid. I was unable to bring it back over right as I had apparently gotten to far left for my own good. It was decision time in my head and I made the snap decision that it would be better to surf the hole at the bottom and try to drive out the right side of it. which was clear. I saw the impending doom of the tree and was able to get my boat turned down the slide enough to try for the surf or possibly just maybe make it. However the hole had different plans as I slammed into it and then bounced off the tree back into the hole. The hole then held me and I tried to pull a bit out but then felt it drawing me back left which was when the fear finally slapped in. As the boat began to slide back I began to panic and decided my best action might be to put and swim out since i could see where to dive to out of my boat. I then pulled and swam like a fish away from the tree and left side. As I popped up in the clear I was entirely over excited about swimming as I was still alive and not stuck on a tree. After the cold swim and actually being able to get everything back together except for my confidence for the rest of the day. Speaking of collection of gear I owe Eli big time for saving my boat and Joe for pulling my paddle out from the log where it had gotten stuck. I bucked back up however ran two more rapids and then we were at the midpoint which was where I decided to hike out after the aforementioned experience. However I will say that I had an awesome couple of days on the river with great crews. Even with the one bad experience I still cannot wait to get back out there again and give 'er on Upper Santeelah cause there were far to many awesome boofs and drops not to go back out there even if it is a wood laden wonderland.