Here is my own definition of Aerials: “Race down a ski hill as fast as you can then fearlessly launch yourself off a massive ramp like a mad man while performing death defying acrobatic twists and flips and then (hopefully) nailing a landing.
Now you must be thinking any family that lets their children do this must be NUTS, right? Well I am writing to tell you they are not nuts at all. In fact they are a classic Canadian family - supportive, sweet and proud. This past week I had the great pleasure of chatting with Marty and Rick Shouldice. Parents of Warren Shouldice, AKA “Wookie”, Canadian Olympic Aerials Hopeful.
Before I jump into the details of my interview with Marty and Rick here are some quick facts about Warren.
- He is 26.
- His hometown is Calgary.
- He has dual citizenship, but has only EVER wanted to compete for Canada.
- National team member for 8 years.
- He placed 3rd in the 2009 World Championships.
- 6th Place at 2006 Olympic games in Turin
- He also loves hockey, video games, skateboarding and surfing.
- He is afraid of moths.
- Got into aerials from competing in gymnastics.
- Watch him compete February 22nd at the 2010 Games.
The Shouldice Family
The very first feeling I picked up on while talking to the Shouldices was that they were radiating with pride. Not only for the success of Warren, but for all of their sons. Warren is the oldest, the fearless athlete. (Really fearless! See the daring semi-nude photo from a recent Chatelaine magazine. Warning - definitely PG-13!). Jason, the funny middle child, an engineer and UFC athlete. Finally, there’s Kenton the youngest but tallest, a business & finance guru and music lover. Similarly to “The Brown Family”, all of their stories started and ended with family support. At the end of the day, Marty and Rick always encouraged the boys to be successful in their own areas—even though they were all competitive Junior National Freestyle Skiers. Even though I spoke to them on the phone, I could sense they were glowing with pride over each of the boys’ success.
Similarly to many Canadian families, they spent many early mornings shuffling the boys to various practices, races and competitions. Marty, the mom would be “looking like a Christmas tree” says Rick—the loudest, most enthusiastic cheerleader with her cowbell and whistles never fading. Rick on the other hand, to this day still gets so nervous he can’t eat the day of Warren’s events. Those nervous feelings don’t compare to our family watching Robbie play goal during the last minutes of overtime –these nerves were heightened after a terrible “water ramp” accident Warren suffered in the summer of 2002 and then a 2nd serious accident this past fall.
Warren’s recovered from a broken neck in 2002 and rallied from a compression fracture and bruised ribs this fall to finish 3rd at the World Championships 6 weeks later. To Rick, his father “ this was the proudest moment” (of Warren’s achievements). Both his parents’ were confident in Warren’s physical ability, but his mental strength is what blew them away. He “never showed any sign of quitting or fear after his injuries, even when they said he may never walk again”. Warren overcame is fear and grueling pain “and performed the exact same jump he crashed on weeks earlier. Sticking this jump was the only way he had a chance to stand on the podium”… AND HE DID IT! He won bronze at the World Championships.
As his mom, you’d think that it would be difficult watching your child hurl themselves off these 6 story ramps at 30 miles and hour, but Marty says she watches Warren with a “big smile on her face. He is inspiring, he has overcome his fears” and she knows he is happy.
Let the Wookie Win
After his accident in 2002, Warren received a T-shirt that says, “LET THE WOOKIE WIN”. Since then, the “Wookie” nickname has made its trademark on the entire family. “The Whole Wookie Family”—“Mr. & Mrs. Wookie”, “Little Wookie”, “Wee Wookie” and “The Wookie Princess” (I made the last one up—it’s Wee Wookie’s girlfriend) will be rallying together for 3 weeks at the 2010 Games.
Rick says, “of course they wouldn’t have missed Warren’s event” for the world, but Petro-Canada’s Family Program has really allowed for a full family experience with less financial stress and above all else stress on Warren (& the athletes). He is thankful that they were able to access tickets to the event thru Petro-Canada—as it can sometimes be very difficult for families to be able to get enough tickets. Marty is so grateful to be spending 3 weeks together as a family—“it is really a dream come true!” Besides the generosity at The Games, Rick knows the greatest value in Petro-Canada’s commitment to our athletes is thru the developing of athletes and coaches at early ages. The travel expenses, equipment upgrades and coaching really makes some sports inaccessible to families who cannot finance their kids dreams. He recognizes that his family has been very lucky, but now with Petro-Canada on board with The Athlete Development Fund all athletes can reach their goals—not just the wealthy ones. Plus, he feels the power of sport has a positive life long impact on kids. As parents you can invest in “your kids now or pay later”.
Rick remembers taking Warren to a “Pre-Olympic Event in 1988 in Calgary, Warren was in such awe, he knew that Warren had made up his mind to become an Olympian that day.” Now, 22 years later Warren is on the cusp of his 2nd Olympics and is one of Canada’s top medal hopefuls. His entire family has clearly been a driving force behind his success. Like so many of our Canadian Athletes’ parents, Marty and Rick exemplify what is so right about Canadian Families. Instead of being the Shouldice Family—I am thinking about renaming them to the “So-Nice” Family. Catchy right?
Rob and I congratulate them (Marty & Rick) on a job well done and are looking forward to seeing Warren launch himself on to the Podium at the 2010 Games. Make sure you check out Warren's profile over at Freestyle Ski!
“LET THE WOOKIE WIN!”
“…And That’s The Brown Low Down”
Steph & Rob
Photo Source: Warren Shouldice Facebook Fan Page
Post Sources: www.freestyleki.com and Marty & Rick Shouldice
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