Features

Finding support on the glacier

Molly Aguirre talks about her shoulder injuries, recovering from surgery, and inspiring smiles from the sidelines at Windells

Money was tight in our family when I was growing up. Getting through the winter snowboard season was a financial stretch for my parents; therefore summer riding was not an option for us. Three years ago, I met Tim Windell and he invited me to be a guest at his camp. From my first moments at Windells, happiness was all around me, and I knew that it was a special place.

Heading into this summer, I was faced with an unfortunate predicament.

Due to a few shoulder dislocations throughout the winter season, I had to have surgery in April. Summer was just around the corner and I was faced with a recovery sentence of six months. No snowboarding for the entire summer. It was upsetting to think about my summer without Windells. Over the past three years I had developed a relationship with the camp, the staff and the campers. So, I decided that I wasn't going to miss a summer, and made the trip up to Hood to hang out with campers and have some fun. However, I knew I was going to have a completely different experience than I had before—NO SNOWBOARDING.

As hard as it was to go to camp without a snowboard, I realized that Windells is so much more than snowboarding for me. It's being a part of such a blissful place with a cheery vibrant staff and enthusiastic campers. It’s refreshing meeting new campers and being apart of their first Windells experience. Furthermore, seeing campers return each summer is really gratifying; all a little bigger and with some new tricks to show from their winter season. It's apparent that Windells has not only made a huge impression on me, but on all the returning campers as well.

I brought my sneakers, mountain bike and golf clubs in the hopes to have some new adventures. I hiked up the mountain everyday with a backpack chair and "perched,” as I called it. At first, there was a lot of confusion from campers as to why I was hiking up the mountain in sneakers and shorts. But once they all knew I was injured, they seemed to be even more pumped each day I would climb the mountain to hang out and watch them ride. I joked with them that it was a "pool party" theme this year and I even wore an inflatable duck, and a whistle one day to humour them.

Coaching is such a rewarding feeling. I’ve always loved teaching and helping others to improve their snowboard skills. In past summers, I’ve been able to coach campers not only by speaking to them, but by showing them. It was apparent that I wasn't going to be strapping in this summer, but It was easy for me to jump on top of rails in my sneakers and show them the movements. Overall, it was awesome to give the campers my full attention and commit myself to their progression.

I really love the camp environment at Windells. Off the snow, it's non-stop action. I love being a goof and encouraging the campers to let loose and have as much fun as possible. From dance parties to belching contests, Windells is always living the motto as "the funnest place on earth."

My dad has always told me that it’s not what you do; it's what you do with what you have that makes a difference. I've learned that things don't always go as planned, but I believe that everything happens for a reason. At first, getting injured and then having surgery was devastating for me. But now, four months into my recovery, I can say that I’ve had a lot of positive experiences and found a great understanding and appreciation for my life. I'm overcome with gratitude for the life that I live, the family and friends that I have and my opportunity to make a difference.

To me, snowboarding is a lifestyle about sharing, learning, loving, and living. That is why I went to camp this year. I am so thankful that the staff and campers chose to spend a part of their summer at Windells. Now I have memories and experiences that will last a lifetime.