Pewsey soldier surfs the slopes

From the The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald, first published Tuesday 25th Dec 2007.

Lance Corporal Kris Looker from Pewsey has just finished hurtling down a mountainside as he took part in the Army Snowboarding Championship on the Stubai Glacier in the Austrian Alps.

Kris, 20, who is serving with the Royal Signals, said: "I started Snowboarding in 2004 with a friend, I thought it looked good and exciting, and it is so I go when I can.

"ts good for physical fitness as well and that's another reason I enjoy it because I'm also a PTI (physical training instructor) you also have to think fast so its good for the brain too!

"We get a lot of support from the army because sport and fitness is encouraged. We have time off for the Royal Signals championships as well as the army event that follows on. We also get financial help and a grant from the army sports lottery, plus equipment which all reduces the burden on your own pocket.

"I was really pleased to get a place in the corps team and I got into the top ten during our competition. My aim now is to win the corps championships and to get a place in the army team."

Since the start in 1998 the event has grown in strength with support particularly from young soldiers. They enjoy the physical and mental challenge of extreme sport.

Run on the same lines as the Olympics the competition has giant slalom, boarder-cross and freestyle events for the different levels, novice, juniors, seniors and veterans.

Some of the army boarders have been skiers but find the sport more fun and rarely return to skis.

This year's event will have two notable visitors Nelson Pratt a Great Britain squad pro rider and the world female number two Jenny Jones who asked if she could attend. Both are expected to give some pointers to the army hopefuls!

Kris attended Pewsey Vale School before joining the army in 2005. His mother Roberta lives in Collingbourne Kingston.

This year the event ran from the first to 20th December.

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