BY SCOTT HADDOW
Extreme sports fans in Greater Sudbury are about to get a dose
of hardcore action they haven't ever seen before.
The inaugural NAC Attack 2007 event is ready to electrify the
slopes of Adanac Ski Hill from March 23 to 24.
The event will consist of a Rail Jam on Friday, March 23 from 7
to 9 pm. There will be a number of obstacles set up.
 In true jam format style, winners will be decided by the riders themselves.
On Saturday, the Jump Jam will occur from 11 am until 3 pm. Two
different jumps will be utilized. Contestants will be required
to demonstrate their skill on the small jump before being
permitted to hit the big jump. Winners will be decided by the
riders and a panel of qualified judges.
For each event, riders will be able to make as many runs as
they want during the allotted time.
The event is for both snowboarders and skiers. There will be
boys' and girls' division from ages 13 to 17, as well as boys'
and girls' divisions for contestants 18 and over.
The cost to compete is $20 and a portion of the proceeds will
be donated to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Interested riders can pick up a competition form at Adanac Ski
Hill.
"This is the first one and hopefully not the last," said event
organizer Bern Hodgins. "There's big interest in this
sport.
 The numbers of riders has increased...and so has their skills."
Local people will see plenty of thrills.
"NAC Attack is an extreme type of sporting event," said Jordan
Ellen, on-hill program supervisor at Adanac. "People are going
to see some big jumps and incredible tricks. This  event
is also about promoting this sport and showcasing the talents
of the riders. It's about time there's an event like this for
these athletes. This is the way skiing and snowboarding are
going. The kids love the terrain park...they love jumping and
riding the rails...it's really helped the hill get great
exposure."
Ellen and others are also hoping the event also drums up more
interest in Adanac overall.
"We were closed for two years and some people, for some reason,
still don't know we have re-opened," said Ellen. "This is our
second winter and after a slow start, people are coming out and
making up for lost time. We've received positive comments from
the community about the hill and programs offered. It's really
nice to have a ski hill right in the middle of the city."
The local sporting business community has stepped up and
provided prizes for the contestants.
"There's helmets, T-shirts, stickers, DVDs...all kinds of
stuff. Everyone will go away with some kind of prize. All
riders will get a T-shirt and decal. Atomic snowboards has even
supplied a snowboard for a draw," said Hodgins.
Hodgins and others compete in the sport because of the
rush.
"We do this because of the feeling we get when we land a
trick," said Hodgins. "In any sport, when you score a point, it
gives you a great feeling. We experience this sensation about
20 times a day and that's the appeal and why we love it."
Hodgins is also using the event to try to get extreme
snowboarding and skiing as an official high school sport.
"I will use it to raise the issue at a SDSSAA meeting in June
to try and get this sport going at the high school level," said
Hodgins. "There's a lot of young people involved in it and they
need an outlet...it's a safe sport and a lot of fun."
