General News
17 August, 2024
Barry's Corner
Now we have more inspiration than ever to get on our bikes thanks to the past couple of weeks.
I happened to catch some of the cycling, kayaking and speed climbing from the Olympics as our participants tried their best and many succeeded in grabbing a medal of some color.
What an accolade to have a gold medal when you are 20 years old - or 14, in case of skateboard champ Arisa Trew.
The skills and focus of the riders and swimmers were remarkable.
I'm sure that skateboarding has been given such exposure that sales should go through the roof.
Until recently I was thinking the general media had eyes only for the traditional glamour sports.
Kayaking gave a terrific performance - oh, for a wild river somewhere nearby.
The Wimmera even in full flood is no chance of competing with crashing water for the games.
If you want to try bouldering or speed climbing and you are built like a spider, this could be
for you.
Bouldering can be tried on lots of rock types within reach - no need for a mountain range as even a concrete wall may be suitable.
The good thing about bouldering is you can go around the rock and it's generally not far off the ground so there's no need for expensive harness and other gear.
The climbing process must be set at a high rating, because the holds looked forbidding.
Then again, a 25-40 rating is enough to test the endurance of our most gung-ho climber with skills of a high standard.
There was mountain biking, road races and BMX cycling that showed we need to have practise tracks around our region.
Shires have been unwilling to even think about such facilities but there is so much potential.
Australia competed so well for such a small population.
"Punching above our weight" is often used.
It also shows that if facilities are within reach then better skills come to the fore.
These games were a gathering of the fittest, most motivated and most enthusiastic people from all corners of the world.