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Boardering on trouble
Boardering on trouble
Dennisheckman


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Sports V (Advanced Editing VII)
Camera: Canon EOS-5D Mark II
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS
Location: Eldora Ski Area
Date: Feb 3, 2012
Aperture: f6.7
ISO: 200
Shutter: 1/1500
Date Uploaded: Feb 4, 2012



[Feb. 6th, 2012 03:09:10 PM]

After receiving over 18 inches of snow overnight, we had to take off work. Can't work in the streets with that much snow. So we headed for the mountains for a day of snow sliding. Have only been snow boarding a couple times in the last 3 years, broken elbow a couple years ago and then some vertigo last year kept me from going more often. Anyway, after getting warmed up in some very deep snow for the first 6 runs, we decided it was time to go into the trees. Things were going well, all my turns were fluid and speed was under control. Having the kind of time one is supposed to have when shredding through the trees. Then it happened, one of those trees decided to not move out of my way. Ran smack dab into it with my left knee almost wrapping myself around the 6 inch diameter tree trunk. I yelled out in pain and immeadiatly wondered how much damage I had done to myself again. The broken elbow took about 6 months to get over with some very intense rehab. At least I could walk with a broken elbow, but now my left knee was involved. Images of more intense painful rehab rushed through my mind. Trembling from the event and buried in about 2 feet of fresh powder, I tried to catch my breath. Just then another co-shredder stopped to see if I was ok. I could only answer that I did not know. After resting for a few minutes I managed to get up with the assistance of broken tree limbs protruding from the tree trunk about chest height. I wrapped my hands around them and pulled myself up. The thought of possibly hitting one of those short, sharp limbs had not occurred to me at that moment. I then managed to identify an easy way out of the trees and found myself on an open run back down to the base area. The knee was in some pretty bad pain, but I had concluded that since I could snow board out, I would be ok. That was 11:30 in the morning, I bought a whole day ticket but was not interested in taking full advantage of it. So I wished my friends well and told them to catch me at the end of the day.

After having some lunch, I went and rested for a couple hours in the truck we drove up in and then decided I'd better get out and walk a little to stretch the knee. It was very difficult walking in the deep snow. Twisted my knee a few times sending immeadiate pain again. I had my 5D and 24/105 lens and wanted some sport shots, cause I never stop thinking about DPChallenge. I limped into the lodge and asked where the Terrain Park was, and they laughed and asked if I had already been there. Ha Ha. Anyway, they pointed out the direction and I headed that way twisting my knee a few more times reminding me of the pain I went through with the elbow. I hiked about halfway up the Terrain Park to the middle jump and waited with my camera. I managed to get some pretty decent jumpers but this shot was the winner in my opinion. The colors, the action, the emotionless expression on the snow boarders face like it was just another day out there. Hope you all like it.

[Feb. 7th, 2012 02:13:25 PM]

Super happy this is doing well in voting. 7.42 today. My highest score to date. Going to get an x-ray tomorrow, not healing as fast as it should if nothing was wrong. ):

[Feb. 8th, 2012 03:01:25 PM]

Well, back from the Doc appointment and exam. Something was wrong, too much pain for nothing to be wrong. Torn MCL on my left knee. Thank goodness no broken bones. Need to wear a brace for 6 to 10 weeks and PT for about 4 weeks or more. Very convenient, my PT folks are right next door to my office! They re-habbed my elbow 4 years ago too. I call them the Pain Factory. They are very good at working with sports injuries. Oh, 7.39 today. Still happy.

Statistics
Place: 4 out of 57
Avg (all users): 7.4110
Avg (commenters): 7.6667
Avg (participants): 7.0645
Avg (non-participants): 7.5043
Views since voting: 2095
Views during voting: 324
Votes: 146
Comments: 25
Favorites: 1 (view)


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AuthorThread
10/24/2020 01:19:06 AM
just checking out some of your pics and saw this .. AWESOME .. !! ..
its a fantastic action shot .. :)
and then i read about the back story ..
funny .. not funny .. but i broke my left elbow once in a head-on car accident back in 1984 .. and then again three years ago getting thru a fence to take a photo .. the second break on an existing break meant i had to have metal put in it .. i'm hoping to get that out soon ..
in that same car accident .. a really solid HG holden station wagon .. the hand-brake handle thingy smashed my left knee and totally shattered my knee cap .. i have no knee cap there now and feel that its not a great hindrance to movement .. the sliced tendons on the other hand are ..
so we are 'twins' in elbows and knees .. sorta .. lol .. ;)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/15/2012 01:26:38 PM
Congrats on the HM and great score Dennis! Just an incredible shot.. Hope you're feeling better!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/13/2012 05:50:26 PM
Amazing action shot and a great score!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/13/2012 02:35:15 PM
Oh wow Dennis....so sorry about the torn MCL. I am a physical therapist, who has also torn her MCL.....OUCH! At least you got a terrific image out of it.....but I can't believe with a 7.4 that you were robbed of a ribbon.

Good to see your dedication to this place. Crazy....but good. :O)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/13/2012 08:51:25 AM
This is terrific.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/13/2012 03:35:34 AM
Veeeeery close to ribbon! But you got your PB - great shot Dennis! I'm sorry to hear that your injury is worse than expected - recover soon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/13/2012 01:46:18 AM
Hey Congrats Dennis with a super action shot. HM at 7.4!! Wow - tough competition in this but you did great. best with the recovery...we dont heal as quickly as when we were younger so take it easy
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/13/2012 01:44:20 AM
Super shot, great score, wd on HM.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/13/2012 12:46:56 AM
Wonderful. Congrats!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/13/2012 12:45:40 AM
you must be mad to walk around with a broken knee, Dennis, but for that score it is understandable.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/13/2012 12:12:53 AM
What a close finish! Congrats on HM.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/13/2012 12:08:03 AM
Outstanding HM, Dennis. Great job!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/13/2012 12:07:50 AM
The colors are really wonderful.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
02/12/2012 09:26:00 PM
Great capture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/12/2012 10:56:34 AM
Perfect capture of right moment! And the complimentary colours as a bonus...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/12/2012 01:00:10 AM
Very nice shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/12/2012 12:06:51 AM
Awesome capture. Rich colors and great processing.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/08/2012 06:52:10 PM
You captured this moment very nicely. The contrast of colors is very good. This is a very cool photo.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/06/2012 08:03:59 PM
Very christmas time.
Would make a great christmas card!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/06/2012 07:05:32 PM
The wipeout.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/06/2012 02:15:51 PM
Nice job capturing the energy here!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/06/2012 12:43:28 PM
Nice catch and catchy title
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/06/2012 11:13:44 AM
Very cool. I like how his face seems to match the color of his board :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/06/2012 10:59:11 AM
I gave you an 8, and came back to comment on the horrible use or "Boardering" hahahhaa :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/06/2012 07:47:38 AM
Great colors, excellent timing, nice clarity.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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