Trying the Luge in the Summer

I had been wanting to check out the luge track in Muskegon, Michigan for awhile, so when I heard you that could try a luge track in the summer, I knew this would be fun for the boys and I to try.

I had friends coming in town who wanted in on the action. The tricky part was that I had one friend driving up from Cincinnati who could only be in town until the following night and the luge was only that Wednesday from 10-12.  She had to make a 6hr drive before meeting us at 10am.

We woke up to rain that morning, which was not good because they close the track if it’s too wet.  The luge track was an hour away and they said that they had wiped down the track and so far it would be open. So safe to say I was praying in my car the whole drive there. The weather still looked rainy and I would feel terrible if my friend drove 6 hrs one way in vain. The whole drive there we had sprinkles of rain even as we were pulling off the exit to our destination. Miraculously, the skies opened to a nice sunny day when we got there. An answered prayer!

We signed our waivers and showed our proof of insurance. Those were the two requirements before we got started.  I felt that fee of $10 per rider was a great value because you can’t do this anywhere else.

Our instructor helped us get our helmet and elbow pads on and then gave us instructions on how to lay on the wheeled sled. After our smallest kids served as the visual demonstration, we were off to climbing up to the top of the track.

We each carried our sleds, which were heavier than they looked.

Ironically, the two 5 year olds were competing to be picked first to go down by the instructor.

I know what your thinking… What a good mom to let your child go first. He’s adventurous and wanted to, so I did. The starting age was 5. My friend’s daughter went down first without fear.

She coasted down without any problems.

My younger son went down next, also without any fear.

Next, were my neighbor’s kids and then my oldest son.

My older son seemed to want to sit up more while riding. He was more timid about this adventure and said he would try the luge if if my younger son did it.

Next, was my friend and then me. She pushed off the bars to get a good start and made it down successfully.

The most unnatural part is keeping you arms on the side handles because you want to put your arms out as you hug the corners. Where you look is where you go.

I was also trying to steer a little with my feet by squeezing them in.

You just kind of have to go with the flow as you go down the track, then you crash into a big stuffed garbage bag like cushion. My second time down the track, I got a little scratched up when I was pinned between the wall and the cushion . It’s good that they give you elbow pads.

Our group did the run several times until our time expired. Each time I went down I could feel my pupils get bigger.  It’s a lot of trust to lay feet first on a board with wheels. It was so much fun for all ages. My friend’s mom even enjoyed taking the plunge.

If you’re concerned about safety, the front desk person told me that they have more injuries on the ice skating rink in the winter than the luge. She said the only real time you can get hurt is when you let go of the bars and try to stop yourself.

All of us had fun experiencing the only public wheeled luge track in North America. I can’t wait to try the winter luge track next.

(Update**** I did get to try the winter luge track the following winter. Check out my post about the winter luge track here)

 

Check out Muskegon Winter Sports Complex if you have ever wanted to take the plunge