Ashton Salwan

SWITZERLAND CHANGED EVERYTHING: ASHTON’S 3-MONTH JOURNEY

Spring 2024: Mettmenstetten

In May 2024, I made a pivotal decision that forever altered the course of my nascent career: I swapped the snug, familiar comforts of home for a daring solo venture into the pastoral heartlands of Switzerland — where the cows are more plentiful than cars and world-class aerialists are as common as the alpine breezes. My chosen destination was none other than the storied Jumpin’ facility in Mettmenstetten, Switzerland — a beacon for freestyle aerial enthusiasts globally.

Nestled within a quaint farming college, a quick bus ride from the ramps, my new home featured rolling emerald pastures, cozy dorm rooms, and the kind of robust, Swiss-cooked meals that fuel champions. My days quickly settled into a rigorous yet rewarding routine steeped in discipline, determination, and development. I embraced the challenge, plunging into early morning wake-ups, intensive training sessions, countless leaps into the cooling splash of the pool, and conditioning routines designed to test the mettle of even the hardiest athletes.

The rewards of this endeavor were manifold...

I gained a newfound independence, a disciplined mindset, bolstered confidence, and, most crucially—a coveted spot amongst some of the most formidable talents in the sport.

Our summer squad was a melting pot of international prowess, a real who’s who of aerials. A massive shoutout to the legends and emergent stars who transformed every practice into a symphony of focus, intensity, and camaraderie:

🇺🇦 UKR: Zakhar Maksymchuk, Yehor Neskoromnyi, Volodymyr Kushnir, Oleksandr Okipniuk, Oksana Yatsiuk, Maksym Kuznietsov, Dmytro Kotovskyi, Diana Yablonska and Anhelina Brykina

🇩🇪 GER: Emma Weiss

🇨🇭 SUI: Nicolas Gygax, Noe Roth, Pirmin Werner and Fabian Bader

Together, we crafted a vibrant tapestry of excellence, each day a fresh opportunity to absorb wisdom, refine skills, and forge lifelong bonds. More than just training, this was a profound journey of immersion, where every flip and twist in the air translated into sharper techniques, soaring confidence, and a deeper reverence for the international aerials community.

The summer crescendoed to an unforgettable peak when I debuted at the FIS Swiss Freestyle Aerials Masters, a water ramp spectacle that assembles the crème de la crème of the sport. Amidst a cascade of rain, cheered on by a lively crowd of international teammates and seasoned coaches, I soared. That day wasn’t just about putting up a respectable show; it was about igniting a fierce determination to return even stronger.

From the tranquil solitude of the dorms to the adrenaline-pumped excitement at the ramps, this summer etched a series of indelible memories in my heart. Switzerland transformed from merely a picturesque backdrop to a pivotal launchpad for personal growth, athletic innovation, and a broader vision of what can be achieved when you step boldly beyond the familiar.

Here’s to living the dream, one exhilarating jump at a time!

_{#AshtonSalwan #JumpinMettmenstetten #FreestyleAerials #FISMasters #GlobalGrind}