The International Log Rolling Foundation persuaded the Steamboat Springs Health and Rec Center aquatics director, Rachel Rangel, to allow us to roll a twelve foot long, lathe-turned cedar log into the hot springs lap pool.   We moved the log down a long path enclosed by ten feet of snow on each side, thanks to the brawn of four guys and two dollies. What a sight that was!

We put on a demo for the SSHRA directors, and a few spectators, showing how easy it is to move a log in and out of the water.  Five year old, Brandon Temple, jumped up on the log to show the gathering crowd, just how much fun log rolling is...and just how safe it is!  Steamboat Springs mom, Katie White, took her kids out of school to come and try log rolling. And the kids: Sarah, Peter, and Matthew showed everyone just how athletic they are!  I predict that Steamboat is going to develop some awesome log rollers because nearly every kid in town is also as ski racer or ski jumper with quick feet and good balance!

So what is it like log rolling outside in the winter. It's awesome! No problem! Especially when the hot springs water is 80 degrees! I wore a polypro top and bottoms and was warm as toast up on the log. And the water that lapped up over the log onto my feet was warm as tea.

Rachel, the aquatics director, liked what she saw and iinvited us to do a "full-on public demo" during Steamboat Winter Carnival, February 11th.  And she said we could use the "hot" pool which is 100 degrees. Cool! (I mean hot.)  Our goal is to train aquatic instructors while we're here the next two months and develop some kids who can show-off and become the class demonstrators.

We look forward to seeing Steamboat Springs become the center for log rolling in the Rockies. (Now where's that phone number for the Vail Valley Aquatic Center and the Glenwood Springs pool...)

Here's a link to an article in the Steamboat Pilot: http://www.steamboatpilot.com/section/frontpage_lead/story/35271

and a few photos of us moving the log down the snow tunnel:

 

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