“Its really a great program. Its produced 75-80% of our last six Olympic teams.” –Gordy Sheer
Just found out about USA Olympic luge recruitment program called “Slider Search” sponsored by White Castle….haha get it? Established in 1985 the White Castle USA Luge Slider Search has traveled over 220,000 miles and introduced the sport of luge to more than 25,000 kids. Participants are taught the basics of riding a luge sled and then take several runs down a paved luge course on wheeled luge sleds. Finally, athletes test their physical skills through a battery of fitness tests. Those who show promise in the summer program are invited to Lake Placid, N.Y., Park City, Utah, or Muskegon, Mich. to try luge on ice at a USA Luge sanctioned training site. The top young athletes from this group are selected for the next year’s development team. The Slider Search just passed through Duluth, next weekend they will be in Columbus, OH. Register Here
The White Castle USA Luge Slider Search is the official nationwide athlete recruitment tour of USA Luge, targeting young athletes, ages 9-13. 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.
Over the years, the White Castle USA Luge Slider Search has traveled over 220,000 miles and introduced the sport of luge to more than 25,000 eager young athletes. At each series stop, guided by U.S. Olympic and National Team coaches and athletes, participants are taught the basics of riding a luge sled, including positioning, steering and stopping. Once these skills are developed, athletes take several runs down a paved luge course on wheel-equipped luge sleds. Finally, athletes test their physical skills through a battery of fitness tests. Those who show promise in the summer program are invited to Lake Placid, N.Y., Park City, Utah, or Muskegon, Mich. to try luge on ice at a USA Luge sanctioned training site. The top young athletes from this group are selected for the next year’s development team.
Currently, most of the U.S. Junior National Team was recruited through the Slider Search, so it’s no wonder the USA Luge coaching staff feel tomorrow’s National and Olympic Teams will come from this program. Erin Hamlin, 2014 Olympic bronze medalist and 2009 World Champion, was identified in a 1999 Slider Search, while Brian Martin, a 1998 Olympic bronze and 2002 Olympic silver medalist, was discovered at a Slider Search in 1987. At least 70% of the past Olympic teams since 2002 have come from the program.
Each participant need only register for one 2 or 3-hour clinic. Register by phone at 1-800-USA-LUGE, or register online through our secure site. All events are free and everyone gets a cool White Castle USA Luge Slider Search T-Shirt for attending.
If you do need to cancel, we ask that you notify us 48 hours in advance so that we can open the spot up to another participant.
Attendees must be present 15 minutes prior to the start of each clinic. A parent or legal guardian must accompany you. Wear long pants (not baggy), long sleeve shirt (not baggy) and sneakers. Shorts and T-shirt can be worn for the physical testing portion.
In the event of rain, a clinic may be canceled for safety reasons and will not be rescheduled. A parent or legal guardian must attend the clinic with each athlete.
To receive information for a future clinic, please e-mail us your name, address, phone number, gender, date of birth, height, weight and clinic you wish to attend at info@usaluge.org, or call 1-800-USA-LUGE. To Register for a listed clinic, click on the link. White Castle Slider Search Registration
In accordance with federal law, we do not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from children under age 13 without verifiable permission of a parent or guardian. If you are under age 13, you are welcome to browse our web site. However, you are not permitted to use any of the features of our site that require the collection of any personally identifiable information. If we determine that we have erroneously collected a child’s information, we will immediately undertake to delete that data from our records.
***In light of the current COVID-19 situation, USA Luge will abide by our five rings of safety protocols, which will include:
–a strict policy of social distancing (six feet at all times)
–wearing of face masks is mandatory
–all sleds, helmets and registration items (pens, clip boards, tables, etc.) will be disinfected after each use with OSHA recommended cleaning products
–USA Luge will provide hand sanitizer for all participants
–attendees are restricted to two adults per youth
Register here for one of the Clinics. White Castle Slider Search Registration
