Author: Bromley Ski Race Club

What is your name?
Danica Moore

How long have you been skiing with Bromley?
11 years

What got you in to skiing?
My dad took me to learn how to ski at Bromley dry slope when I was 5 in preparation for a ski holiday that winter.

What got you into ski racing?
After learning the basics at Bromley, I enjoyed it so much that I started to go to their Sunday ski school every week, and this progressed onto the Saturday race training.

What do you like about skiing with the club?
It’s a very friendly club, focusing on the importance of enjoyment within sport and not just the pure competition.

Have you done any other club roles?
I am currently Race Captain at the University of Sheffield.

What is a typical race day like for you?
At university, we compete in the KINGS dry slope races as well as BUCS races, the latter being much more official and akin to the regular dry slope races. KINGS races however are much more informal, generally require fancy dress and don’t normally take place until the late afternoon, I take full advantage of the lay-in!! The uni races are great because the larger races bring together all the Uni’s from across the country, meaning you get to have a catch up with all the people you know through racing with in the past.

Where are you now and are you still skiing?
I’m going into my third year at The University of Sheffield studying Mechanical Engineering with Biomechanics. I’m still skiing with “Sheffski” who attend all the main UK Uni skiing events as well as running two ski trips a year to the Alps.

What would you say to young skiers just starting out and wanting to join the club?
Don’t be afraid to get involved! I remember always being intimidated by the bigger kids when I first started skiing but they’re actually super nice and they’re always happy to give you a few tips and tricks!

I’d also say, once you get your own pair of race skis make sure your dad knows how to service them properly… Having a sharp edge makes all the difference!!

What would you do a little differently?
Don’t let other people’s opinions worry you, concentrate on what you’re doing and have fun with it! I always used to get super stressed at races but once I got over this, I skied a lot better and enjoyed myself a lot more!

What’s Your Name?
Paul Bunton

How long have you been with Bromley?
1 year but was with them many years ago.

What got you into skiing?
When I finished motorbike racing, skiing was the next closest thing.

What got you into ski racing?
Learning to ski at Bromley and watching the Bromley racers training.

What do you like about skiing with the club?
Everybody gets on and it is a friendly club and a good atmosphere.

Have you done any other club roles?
I was athletes rep for LSERSA.

What’s a typical race day like for you?
Early morning, get to slope, have a coffee and see how the day goes.

Where are you now and are you still skiing?
Yes I’m still skiing.

What would you say to young skiers just starting out and wanting to join the club?
Give it a go, come along. We are all nice people and will help you out.

What would you do a little differently?
Try not to compare myself to others and enjoy the day.

What’s Your Name?
Elle Ayton

How long have you been with Bromley?
6 years

What got you into skiing?
My parents started me skiing at 18 months with my little plastics skis and shared Ayton all-in-one

What got you into ski racing?
We saw the British Champs happening in Meribel and me and my sisters wanted to give it a go so we found a local dry slope (Bromley) and gave it a go!

What do you like about skiing with the club?
The atmosphere within the club at training and races days is really friendly. You can speak to any members and parents easily and we all get on very nicely

Have you done any other club roles?
I was my school Ski Team Captain for 4 years and am now the Race Captain at University of Bath

What’s a typical race day like for you?
University race days are a lot of fun! We head over to the slope on a big party bus and the racing is evening based so normally starts mid afternoon with a pretty late finish and big après party! It’s pretty much all team duals with mixed teams, girls teams and snowboard teams, the main prizes are alcohol and sweets 👍🏼 🏼

Where are you now and are you still skiing?
I’m in my second year at the University of Bath where I’m the Race Captain – we have over 30 racers of all ability and luckily everyone is always keen to give racing a go!

What would you say to young skiers just starting out and wanting to join the club?
Jump in a give it a go! Don’t be shy as everyone is always friendly, racing and dry slope is always difficult and challenging at first but it gets more and more easy very quickly!

In regards to the races, I’d start as soon as possible entering yourself in the smaller regional ones, it’s pretty daunting at first but after you have lots of races under your belt you will improve quicker and quicker – these are also a great way of meeting skiers from other clubs and parts of the country

What would you do a little differently?
Not compare yourself against other skiers – it’s easy to think everyone is watching you ski down which can feel embarrassing But it’s often not the case! Everyone has to start from somewhere but the more you keep at it and try to improve, the more confident you will feel and the more you will enjoy!

We start a limited series on club members past and present, finding out what first got them into skiing, how they progressed into ski racing and what keeps them motivated.

Look out for a new profile every couple of months…

Our first profile is Elle Ayton. We recently sat down with Paul Bunton and Danica Moore to find out what keeps them skiing.