Doug Sanvik loves to luge, and he hopes to see the sport grow in the Juneau community to become huge.
For around the last 10 years, Sanvik has volunteered every one of his Saturdays during the winter up at Eaglecrest Ski Area where he invites all residents ages 10 and up from Juneau to learn about the Juneau 4H Luge Club and the high-speed sport for free.
Sanvik has been recreationally luging since the 1970s, first learning about the sport as an adult after spending time in Germany while serving in the U.S. Army.
He fondly recalled the many nights he spent with friends going up and down hills while ripping on a luge after work. He said the sport can be fun for anyone, regardless of age.
“I’ve had adults come and say they haven’t had this much fun since they were kids,” he said, laughing.
Through community donations, the Juneau 4H Luge Club owns around 16 high-quality luging imported from Austria. Sanvik said he hopes people will give the sport a try, and head out to Eaglecrest to join him.
• Contact reporter Clarise Larson at clarise.larson@juneauempire.com or (651)-528-1807. Follow her on Twitter at @clariselarson.
Doug Sanvik smiles as he finishes luging down a hill at Eaglecrest Ski Area Saturday morning. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
