Korath during his recent trip to The Bahamas in May 2009. Photo: Alex Neun

The first winter Olympic athlete for The Bahamas, Korath Wright is inviting 10 lucky teens from The Bahamas ages 13 – 17 years to participate in the High Cascade Snowboard Camp in Oregon, USA for two 9-day camps this July.  Camp 1 runs from July 6^th to 14th and Camp 2 from July 17^th to 25^th. 

The Bahamas Snow Kids Camp was started by Korath Wright as a way to introduce Bahamian teens to the same camp that sparked his passion for snowboarding. The program teaches young Bahamians how to snowboard while they make new friends and see a new part of the world.

The Camp is from July 6th to 25th at Mount Hood, Oregon. This beautiful mountain is one of just three places north of the equator where you can ski and snowboard all summer long. This was the starting point for Korath's snowboarding career. He attended High Cascade Snowboard Camp at Mt. Hood as a camper at age 11, going on to work his way through the ranks to become a counselor and then coach. It's the ideal place for the Bahamas Snow Kids Camp to begin training the next generation of Bahamian snowboarders.

Interested teens should email Korath as soon as possible at SnowKids@TheBahamasWeekly.com  and tell him why you think you should be selected. The camp will include other actives over the week and persons may find more information at www.BahamaSnowKids.com  or www.highcascade.com  and click 'summer camps'. Fun off-hill activities are also on the agenda during the 9-day stay.

Tryouts will take place in New Providence, and Grand Bahama Island between the 18th and 22nd of June. The exact venue, time and date will be announced closer to that time.   Five teens from each island will fly to Oregon to participate in the camp for free! Eligible teens must be Bahamian residents and be ready to travel and have up to date travel and legal documents.

Korath has come up with three preliminary activities which are relative skills to snowboarding, but any teen who is athletic could be a worthy candidate if they are interested in trying snowboarding. The tryouts will involve sprinting, an obstacle course using quick side-to-side movement, and skateboarding.

Teens can also buy in to the camp if they do not wish to try out for the scholarships. As long as they are ready to try snowboarding, anyone from the age of 13 to 17 years can be registered in the camp.  Camp fees per child are $2500 US and include everything from flights, accommodation, food, lift tickets, chaperone, and coaching.

SLIDESHOW: Korath photo by Tim Aylen. Snow Camp photos from High Cascade, Mount Hood, Oregon.

“I'm excited about the Bahamas Snow Kids Camp because it's an opportunity for teens from The Bahamas to see snow for the first time... and then rip that snow apart on a snowboard!

It's also a chance for me to communicate to kids that as long as they know what they want, are clear on their values and are ready to work for it, every decision they make will move them towards their goals.

Competing for The Bahamas as the first winter Olympian, I'm proof that anything is possible , and this camp will encourage teens to follow their dreams, no matter how big those dreams may be,” said Korath.

Persons can learn more about Korath at www.korathsnowboarding.com and stay tuned to TheBahamasWeekly.com for updates on Korath’s visit.

SLIDESHOW: Photos from High Cascade, Mount Hood, Oregon.