how do you get into bobsledding

To get into bobsledding, you usually start by leveraging your existing athleticism (sprint speed, power, strength), then connect with a national federation or local track program that runs tryouts and “taster” sessions.

First step: figure out your path

There are two broad routes into bobsledding :

• Recreational/experience: ride as a passenger in a sled (“taxi ride”) to see if you even like the sensation of sliding at high speed.

• Competitive pathway: attend fitness “combines” or open tryouts run by your country’s bobsled federation or club.

Most people who end up serious about it try a ride first, then chase the competitive route if they love it.

Contact the people who run the sport

The most realistic entry is to plug into existing structures rather than trying to DIY a sled and a track.

1. Find your national federation
   • The International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF) lists all member national federations with contact info; you email or call them and ask about beginner opportunities.

 * They can tell you about combines, rookie camps, and which tracks or clubs are active near you.

2. Ask specifically about:
   • “Talent ID” or recruitment days.

 * **Rookie/driver schools** where you learn basics in smaller sleds, often starting halfway down the track.

 * Any **military or university teams** (in some countries the army, navy, or air force have their own bobsleigh programs).

This route works even if you live far from a major track: many athletes are scouted on physical ability first, then invited to training camps.

What the tryouts actually look like

Modern bobsledding heavily recruits explosive athletes and tests them in a pretty structured way. Typical combine tests:

• Short sprints (e.g., 15–45 m).
• Broad jump (standing long jump).
• Shot toss or similar power throw.
• Strength tests like 3‑rep squat max and power clean max.

Selectors score your raw speed and power, then decide whether to invite you back to:

• Push camps / push championships – you practice pushing a sled on a dry or iced start track to see how much velocity you can generate.

• Driving school – for people who want to pilot; you start on less technical runs or from lower on the track to learn steering.

If you perform well and enjoy it, you can be picked up by a driver or national development squad to race on lower‑tier circuits before moving up.

The athletic background that helps

Bobsledders almost never come from “nothing” athletically; they usually transition from other sports. Common feeder backgrounds:

• Sprinters (track and field) – 60–100 m type speed.
• American football / rugby – big, powerful athletes used to contact and heavy lifting.
• Sometimes other power sports (weightlifting, shot put, etc.).

Key physical traits:

• Exceptional explosiveness for a 5‑second all‑out push.

• Ability to carry decent body mass without losing speed (brakemen and push athletes are often big and strong).

• For drivers, long‑term technical focus and calm under pressure; it can take 8 years of experience to become world‑class at steering.

If you don’t come from that background, you can still start, but you’ll need to train like a power sprinter, not like a marathoner.

What beginners actually do on the ice

Once you’re in a camp or school, your first experiences are structured and progressive. For a beginner:

• You might ride in a sled with an experienced pilot and brakeman on a tourist run, called a “taxi ride,” just to feel the speed and G‑forces.

• In an introductory driving school , you drive smaller, more stable bobsleds from halfway down the track, so speeds and risks are lower.

• As a brakeman/pusher , you’ll spend a lot of time practicing the start, loading into the sled smoothly, and learning team timing.

Untrained people trying to drive full‑sized sleds from the top of the track have an extremely high chance of crashing, which is why these controlled beginner steps exist.

Mini story: a modern rookie path

One typical story: a power athlete in their 20s sees bobsledding on TV and decides to try. They sign up online for their country’s virtual or in‑person combine, train for a few months to improve their 40 m sprint, broad jump, and strength numbers, then submit results and videos.

After some persistence with emails to coaches, they get invited to a rookie push camp , prove they can move the sled, and earn a spot in a development team for the winter season. From there, it’s a mix of off‑season speed/strength training at home, and seasonal blocks living at tracks like Lake Placid or Park City.

Practical steps you can take this year

If you’re reading this wondering “OK, what do I actually do tomorrow?”, here’s a simple roadmap you can adapt:

1. Audit your current profile
   • Do you have sprint times, jump distances, or strength numbers?
   • If not, test yourself over 30–40 m sprint, standing broad jump, and basic lifts to get a baseline.
2. Contact your federation or nearest track
   • Go to the IBSF’s “How to start” section and find your national body; send a concise email: who you are, your sport background, and your interest in bobsled.

 * Ask for dates of upcoming combines, talent ID days, or beginner/“taxi ride” sessions.

3. Train like a prospective bobsledder for 3–6 months
   • Prioritize short sprints, heavy squats, cleans, and jumps to boost your power, mirroring combine demands.

 * Keep your focus on becoming faster and more explosive rather than just “gym strong.”

4. Attend a combine or taster
   • Treat the combine like an exam: arrive rested, warmed up, and ready to showcase speed and power.

 * If you can, also book a tourist run at a track to confirm you actually enjoy the feeling of sliding.

5. Be prepared for a multi‑year journey
   • As a brakeman, you may compete fairly quickly if your push is strong.

 * As a driver, you’re committing to many seasons of learning lines, making mistakes, and slowly gaining consistency.

Different viewpoints on how “accessible” it is

People talk about bobsledding in very different ways:

• “You need insane access and it’s impossible to start.”
  • There is some truth: there are only a few tracks worldwide, and gear is specialized and expensive.

• “They just recruit ex‑sprinters; if you’re fast, you can get in.”
  • Also partly true: federations like Team USA explicitly recruit from track and football and invite athletes via combines.

• “You can just do a tourist ride and call it good.”
  • Recreational rides are common and safe with a pro pilot, but that’s a very different experience from committing to full‑time training and racing.

Reality sits in the middle: it’s not casual, but it’s surprisingly open if you bring the right athletic profile and are willing to travel and commit.

Small SEO‑style recap

• If you’re asking “how do you get into bobsledding,” the core steps are: build sprint‑power athleticism, contact your national federation, attend combines or rookie camps, and progress through push training and driving schools.

• In 2026, interest in sliding sports spikes around each Winter Olympics cycle, and federations use that buzz to run talent ID events and promote combine sign‑ups.

• Forum and Q&A discussions emphasize that most bobsledders start in their 20s from other sports, so you don’t have to be a child prodigy—just fast, powerful, and persistent.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.