Hollyburn Cross Country Ski Club invites all interested racers to their Coastal Cup #1 race on Saturday, December 11. See the race notice on the Hollyburn website .

This is our most exciting bulletin this season. It is full of endings and beginnings. Read on to learn all the exciting news.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE!

There are only a few days remaining for earlybird program prices. On December 1, full program fees will be in effect. Don’t delay, register online today. Use the “Register” button on the left.

STRATHCONA NORDICS WEAR

Strathcona Nordics racing tights and jersey orders are drawing to an end. If you need some fast, functional (and stylish!) clothes to race or ski in, these lycra tights and 1/2 zip jerseys should fit the bill! The suit costs $210, and this includes tights, jersey, tax, and shipping—a good price for clothes engineered for cross-country skiing. View the picture on the Gear page.  Contact Marilyn today about sizing and orders, 250-338-9345 or marilyna@shaw.ca  DEADLINE is NOVEMBER 27th.

RABBITS — NEED coaches and one Sunday parent!

As the deadline is approaching the registrations have been flooding in – A big thank you to all the Rabbits families that have already committed to a volunteer position. Unfortunately we are still short on the coaching front… New coaches needn’t be “expert” skiers; a whack of enthusiasm and an interest in helping our kids develop their skiing skills is all that’s needed! Training is included with your SNSC membership – if you are interested please let Alix know right away as the first training session is slated for December 3 and 4! Alix at alibedali@shaw

Coaches are especially needed for Sunday, and we are also in need of a Sunday Session Coordinator. The Sunday coordinator is a go-between for the Sunday coaches and the “Head Hare” and is not a difficult position. If you can send an email, you can do this job! Contact Alix to learn how simple this job is. Alix at alibedali@shaw

MASTERS NEED coaches too!

Our Masters program continues to be popular and so requires more coaches than ever. If you have NCCP coaching certification, are willing to share your love of skiing, and can spare even a few weekend mornings this winter, contact info@StrathconaNordics.com!

COACHING COURSES approaching!

* Coaching Refresher Course – Saturday December 18 (New date!), 2010 – Mount Washington Raven Lodge – Classic technique refresher at 10am – free lunch for participants – Skate technique refresher at 1pm – All coaches welcome! – Instructor, SNSC Head Coach Dave Battison

* Introduction To Community Coaching Workshop – Dec 3 – 4, 2010 at Queneesh Elementary School in Courtenay. Friday, December 3 from 6pm to 9pm. Saturday, December 4 from 9am to 5pm.

* Community Coaching Workshop, January 21-23, 2011, at Queneesh Elementary school in Courtenay and at Mount Washington Raven Lodge.

**To register for courses, email Alix alibedali@shaw or Doug herch@shaw.ca

NEW SNSC VP!

Strathcona Nordic Ski Club welcomes Alison Stocks to the Board of Directors in the role of Vice President. Alison has been an active member of the SNSC participating in many groups & events and volunteering in many capacities over the past several years. We are very glad to have you on board!

MOUNTAIN NEWS

Mount Washington Nordic will be opening early this year! Beginning on December 4, you can enjoy a ski on Jutland and the upper trails and warm up in the Raven Lodge when you are finished. However, we’ll have to wait for more snow before we can enjoy the meadow and park trails. Remember to purchase and always wear your Mount Washington trail pass when skiing. (P.S. There is a rumour that we can look forward to some new trails this year!)

TECHNICAL T-SHIRTS

Strathcona Nordics technical shirts are available to order until January 10, 2010. There are four styles to choose from, and you can view photos of them along with the sizing chart on the Gear page. You’ll find details on placing your order there as well.

CALLING ALL OFFICIALS

Level 3 Officials Course: Jan 5-9 in Thunder Bay in association with the NORAM/ World Junior Trials @ Lappe Nordic. See this CCC document for details. Open to qualified L2 officials. Please contact Len if you are interested in attending.

CALLING ALL RACERS and their families

Cross Country BC (CCBC) released a notice today for BC Cup series races. They advise all racers and their parents (if applicable) to view the technical guidelines as there have been some changes this year.

MORE BEGINNINGS

The World Cup season began last weekend in Gallivare, Sweden and continues next weekend in Kuusamo. For details or to watch live over the net visit www.fiscrosscountry.com

FYI

Parents,coaches, young athletes – check out some of the cool links and resource information on the FIS youth wiki site http://wiki.fisski.com/index.php/Main_Page and http://snowkidz.fisski.com/

Dear members,

Please join me in congratulating the new SNSC board who were re-elected at the AGM. These board members do the not insignificant work behind the scenes that allows our club to function and offer the great programs and membership benefits that it does. A special welcome goes to Alix Wilson who has joined the board as the new Chair of the Skill Development Program (Rabbits).

Heartfelt thanks are also expressed to our retiring board members for their years of service: Rick Morson, Rob Trainor and Laura Johnston. Please note that there are a number of board positions that remain unfilled and we are actively looking for interested members to take on the areas of: Sponsorship and Fundraising and Competitions and Officials Development.

Also please note that we are also actively recruiting members to fill the following program roles: Saturday Rabbit coordinator, Rabbit Program Coaches (Sat + Sun), School Program Coaches (weekdays), Rabbit Tournament Coordinator, Masters program coaches (all levels)and more!

Finally, please contact your board members if there are program initiatives or ideas that you would like to see the club explore and/or implement. Also please don’t forget to renew your membership and make sure to bring a friend! Our membership numbers dropped last year and we need to keep them growing to sustain our programs and our external funding support.

Len Apedaile

PS – don’t forget to get your snazzy new SNSC t-shirt! (See photos and sizing chart below.)

Strathcona Nordics Ski Club: 2010 Board of Directors
• President: Len Apedaile
• Vice President: tba
• Treasurer: Georgina Price
• Secretary: Sue Bloxsome
• Director Membership: Andrea Prager
• Director Sponsorship & Fundraising: vacant
• Director Communications: Barb Kelly

Program Chairs (Directors):

• Chair Skill Development Program (Rabbits): Alix Wilson
• Chair Recreational Skier Development Programs: Andrew Pape-Salmon
• Chair Athlete Development (Racing) Programs: Brian Vandermale
• Chair Coach Development Program: Doug Herchmer
• Chair Competitions and Officials Development: vacant
• Chair Club Events Programs: Leanne Webster

On behalf of SNSC members, Len Apedaile thanks retiring program leaders Marilyn Atkinson and Laura Johnston.

CONGRATULATIONS TO LEN APEDAILE

SNSC would like to congratulate Len Apedaile on his recent appointment to the position of Vice-Chairperson of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). His role will involve Sport Technical Committee communications with the IPC Nations, promoting sport/athlete development initiatives amongst the IPC Nations, and other vice chair duties. Read more about Len and his appointment on the Cross-Country Canada website http://www.cccski.com/main.asp?cmd=doc&ID=7051&lan=0

REGISTER!

There are only a couple of weeks remaining for earlybird program pricing! Register now, so you don’t miss the savings. On December 1, full program prices are in effect. Use the button on the club website, or visit www.zone4.ca and select “Club Registration” and scroll down to find Strathcona Nordic Ski Club.

COACHING COURSES

Coaches, new and returning, here are some opportunities to expand and/or refresh your skills and meet other coaches:

• Introduction to Community Coaching (ICC) – Friday, December 3, 6pm-9pm and Saturday, December 4, 9am to 5pm at Queneesh Elementary in Courtenay
• Coaching Refresher – Sunday, December 19, meet at Raven Lodge on Mt Washington, 10am classic technique, lunch provided, 1pm skate technique
• Community Coaching (CC) Course – January 21 (pm), 22, and 23 (16 hours total) at Queneesh Elementary in Courtenay and at Mt Washington Nordic

Contact Alix to register alibedali@shaw.ca

BILLET?

For the ICC and CC courses, we will have a guest coach coming in from Cross-Country BC. This coach requires lodging for the weekend. If you are able to host an NCCP coach on either/both December 3 and 4 and/or January 21-23, contact Doug dhrecreation@shaw.ca

SPANDEX

If you are looking for a new racing suit, there is still time to place your order. The sizing kit is stil available. Contact Marilyn. marilyna@shaw.ca

SNSC Technical T-SHIRTS

Get your new SNSC technical shirt and support this exciting new club fundraiser and marketing initiative.

Thanks to our SNSC family models!

Short sleeve shirts, back view

Four models are available at the following prices:

Short Sleeve Shirt – Men  $25

Short Sleeve Shirt – Women $25

Short Sleeve Shirt – Youth $20

Long Sleeve Shirt – Unisex $35

Sizes are XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL

Contact Sue Bloxsome in Courtenay if you would like to try on one of the sizes: sbloxsome@gmail.com

Sizing charts

Note: Shirts are tight fitting. For a looser fit, go up one or two sizes.

Men's sizing chart

Youth sizes

To order please send your request to Leanne Webster:  leanne.webster@shaw.ca

Cheques can be made out to Strathcona Nordics Ski Club and mailed to:

Strathcona Nordics T-s

c/o  4965 Prospect Lake Road

Victoria, BC V9E 1J5

We will be placing the next order based on response from club members. Deadline for orders is January 10, 2011.  Orders will be put in that following week and it will take approx. 3 weeks to get so expec delivery for end of January. If you are fast there are a limited number of shirts available from the initial order. Please see Sue Bloxsome.

Many thanks to Leanne Webster for her work and initiative in setting up this fundraiser. Please support those efforts and promote the club!

JUNIOR RACING TEAM

The Junior Racing Team were up skiing today. They all have their fingers crossed for more snow this week, so they can switch from their dryland schedule to on-snow training. You can support these hard-working young ahtletes by bringing in your empty beverage containers to the Courtenay Return Centre on Puntledge Road. Tell the staff your empties are for the SNSC Junior Racing Team Account.

Len samples some Devo team baking at the Swap & AGM.

Swap Update
Good work and many thanks to all the volunteers and supporters of the ski swap. Our treasurer says it was a great success as we helped facilitate the exchange of gear and made a profit for the club (and its branches)!

Devo baking: $210.60
Junior Racing waxing: $277.00
Ski Swap sales (15% of total): $1364.10
Ski Swap donations, chile, coffee (minus expenses of ~$340): $218.00

(We tend to receive the billing from SD#71 for the gym and multipurpose room rental in April, so I don’t know the exact number, hence approximate expenses.)

Total take = $2069.  The total number is up about $1000.00 from last year!  The reason for the success: great baking by Devos, superior waxing by Juniors, fine music provided by Alexandra, and some serious donations of equipment and clothing by club members.

T-shirts
We missed them at the swap by one day, but they are available. We’ll have photos and prices posted soon on the website!

Calling all coaches
Mark these dates on your calendar:

1. ICC course (10 hrs.) – Dec.3,  6-9 pm and Dec. 4 , 9-5 pm . Queneesh School
2. Coaches Refresher Course – All levels of coaches invited, both classic and skate- Sunday, Dec. 19 Raven Lodge, 10am. Free lunch included.
3. CC course (16 hrs.) -TBA – either Jan.14-16 or Jan. 21-23, details coming soon

We are looking for a billet for the ICC and CC instructors for the Dec. 3/4 course and the January course. If you are able to provide lodging for the instructor on either of these dates, please let us know!

More coaches
Rabbits needs more coaches! If you are able to give a few hours of your time on winter weekend mornings and share some enthusiasm for outdoor play, contact Alix alibedali@shaw.ca

Rabbits
Are your kids in Sunday Rabbits? Can you be the go-between for the Sunday coaches and the Rabbit program chair? Rabbits needs a Sunday coordinator. Contact Alix to learn how simple this job is. alibedali@shaw.ca

Spandex
Do you need some new spandex? The club is getting an order together. We’ll get some photos and pricing on the web site soon. If you want to use the sizing kit, you can drop by Robb Rd school gym in Courtenay next Wednesday between 5pm – 615pm for the next 3 Wednesdays.

Hike in Victoria!
SNSC Family Hike (dogs welcome)
• When: Sunday, November 7, 2010 (Rain or shine, come prepared for the weather.  If high winds, the hike will be canceled)
• Time: 10am (meet in parking lot)
• Where: Parking Lot at McKenzie Bight (Victoria), Gowland Todd Prov. Park (parking lot is off Ross Durrance Road).

Take W. Saanich to Wallace, Wallace to Willis  Pt. Road, then Willis Pt Rd to Ross Durrance Road (take a left). Parking lot is on left side.

Hike will be moderate and should be do-able for most kids (please have them wear good hiking shoes or boots).  Young children (5 and under) may find the hike challenging and long, so you may wish to bring  along a carrier of some sort (but not a stroller).  Please bring snacks/lunch and water.

Families can hike for as far as they like and do not need to feel that they have to do the entire route. Hike is unguided and not a sanctioned SNSC event. It is simply an invite to SNSC members to get together,  meet other south island members and enjoy a beautiful day in the trails.

Any questions, please contact Leanne at leanne.webster@shaw.ca

Look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

- Leanne