National Youth Luge Slider Search

The goal of the slider search is to identify and recruit beginner to intermediate athletes for the USA Luge Junior Development Team.

WHAT:  Michigan Slider Search is part of the official Muskegon Luge athlete recruitment that is used to refer athletes to the USA Luge grass-roots program in Lake Placid, New York. This program is targeted towards young athletes, ages 10-12.  The mission of this grass-roots program, established in 1985, is to identify, train and qualify young athletes for the USA Luge Junior Development Team. Athletes who may progress through the team development ladder have hopes of one-day becoming members of the National and Olympic Luge Teams. You can learn about USA Luge at teamusa.org/usa-luge .

SLIDER SEARCH CLINIC:  Our coaches work with the participants who are taught the basics of riding a luge sled, including positioning, steering, and stopping. Once these skills are developed, athletes take several runs down our famed luge course. Those who show promise in this program may be invited to Lake Placid, N.Y., Park City, Utah, on the ice at a USA Luge sanctioned training site.

HISTORY:  Over the years, the Muskegon Luge Program has taught and introduced the sport of luge to thousands of youth participants from across the USA.  This program has given start to several youths from the Mid-West who have gone on to compete in the Junior & Senior National Teams and have traveled the globe competing in the sport.  The most notable to date was Mark Grimmette who received his start here at the Muskegon Track.  Grimmette went on to compete in five Winter Olympics, won two medals in the men’s doubles event with a silver in 2002 and a bronze in 1998. Currently, we have 3 athletes that are at various levels of the Junior National Teams.

REGISTRATION:  Each participant can register by phone at 1-877-TRY-LUGE or register online through our secure site at msports.org.  A parent or legal guardian must attend the clinic with each athlete.

LOCATION- Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park located in Muskegon State park 462 Scenic Dr. N. Muskegon, MI 49445

COST:   $25.00