Registration is open on Zone 4. You can register for membership and programs. Additionally, you can buy club t-shirts, and you can sign up for free coaching and officials workshops! Why not end the year 2011 with a new NCCP certification or Race Official certification?! Remember to register before November 30th to take advantage of early bird pricing. Register
Chris Nagle of Investors Group presents Program Director Alix Wilson and Rabbits Wren and Vance from the Strathcona Nordics with a donation of $500 for the club's Rabbit Skill Development Program, which teaches children the FUNdamentals of cross-country skiing.
All new and returning coaches are required to attend an important information meeting on October 16 from 10am to 12pm at Queneesh Elementary in Courtenay. Learn about exciting new developments in coaching theory and practice, and learn some fun, new dynamic warm up exercises!
Fall coaching workshop schedule:
The dryland courses will take place in Courtenay and the on snow components will be on Mount Washington. More details soon. Contact Doug to register dhrecreation@shaw.ca
We are gearing up for another awesome winter of Rabbits Skills Development! The 10-week program is dependant on the number of coaches available on Saturdays or Sundays. Because the program is run by volunteer power alone, we always require new coaches this year. We are in great need of coaches for the Sunday program in particular.
Becoming a coach takes relatively little time and all course costs are covered with your SNSC membership. If you, or someone you know, are interested in becoming a full time coach, a co-coach, or an alternate coach, please get in touch with Alix Wilson (headhareWilson@gmail.com) for more information.
We are also still looking for a Sunday Rabbit Coordinator to help the Head Hare facilitate all Rabbit activities on Sundays. If you can write an email, then you can do this job!
Organizers are busy finalizing details for the Annual SNSC Swap and AGM! You can mark Saturday, October 29 on your calendar, and start taking inventory of your cross-country ski gear. We will follow the same format as last year with morning equipment drop-off, lunch and AGM, and the afternoon swap. There will also be a waxing clinic, bake sale, and perhaps those Junior Racers will help us get our skis ready for the snow with a hot-wax.
Our youth recreational program is ready to go on Sundays this year! If you are 12-17 years old and want to ski with a group of peers for fun and fitness–be sure to register for Powder Pack. The program will run on Sundays from 10-12.
If you are planning to register for a race program this winter, take note of the new race suit policy,Strathcona Nordics racers are required to wear the new suit at all races. You can still wear your old suit for training!
This year, you have the option of either borrowing a suit (for free) or buying a suit ($130). In order to borrow a suit, you must register for a racing program and give us a deposit cheque for $100. When you return the suit in good condition at the end of the season, we will tear up your cheque.
To order:
Let us know by by October 15.
Congratulations to the SNSC’s Len Apedaile on his appointment by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) as Technical Delegate for Nordic Skiing events at the 2014 Paralympic Games in Sochi, Russia. Хорошее везение to you, Len!
If you shop at Thrifty Foods, contact Berend to pick up an SNSC smile card. At no extra cost to you, Thrifty’s will donate 5% of your purchase to our ski club uniform program and help our racers represent our club and island as they travel across the province and nation. bhenckel@telus.net
The Bola Man from http://www.bolarein.no/Engelsk.htm
Did you know people have been enjoying cross-country skiing for at least 6,000 years? In central Norway, there is a rock carving known as “The Bola Man,” which depicts a figure cross-country skiing. The rock carving has been dated to 4,000 BC. It looks like the figure is double-poling.
Registration is open on Zone4.ca for SNSC membership and programs! We are experiencing technical difficulties today in getting the registration button to work. However, you can reach the Zone 4 registration page by clicking this link!
A regular issue of SNSC news is due out this Thursday.
Autumn is fast approaching, as is the new ski season. Remember, if you are purchasing a Mount Washington nordic season’s pass, their earlybird pricing ends on September 30! We have more important dates for you below.
Registration opens for Strathcona Nordics programs on October 1. You can register online on Zone 4or use the Register button that will appear on the club website on October 1. For program information and pricing visit Programs page. Note: HST will be added to program prices when you register.
Rabbits heading off for a snowy adventure. Photo courtesy Andrew Pape-Salmon
On Saturday, October 29, we’ll be holding our annual Cross-Country Gear Swap and SNSC Annual General Meeting (AGM). We are currently making the schedule for the day, and we’ll have details for you soon. At the AGM, we’ll be voting in a new Board of Directors. If you have a few hours to spare each month and you would like to help the club, contact us about joining the Board! info@StrathconaNordics.com
Are you ready for the long one? Run/hike the cross-over this Saturday, September 17! It’s approximately 26 km from the old Forbidden Plateau ski lodge to the Raven Lodge at Mount Washington. Meet at 10am at Starbucks in Courtenay to carpool. Be ready for a long run/hike at a moderate pace. Dress for the weather. Bring adequate hydration and snacks. Contact info@StrathconaNordics.com if you have any questions.
Here are some opportunities to add to your skills and knowledge and to join the ranks of talented volunteer coaches nationwide:
The dryland courses will take place in Courtenay and the on snow components will be on Mount Washington. More details soon. Contact Alix to register. alibedali@shaw.ca
For information about NCCP coaching courses, visit the CCC website. You can also contact our Head Coach Dave Battison battd@shaw.ca. Coaches Dave, Tim, and Berend will be holding a coaches meeting in early October. Watch for details soon!
The SNSC is pleased to offer a Level 1 Race Official workshop in Courtenay on November 5 and 6. This is a great opportunity to become a nationally certified Level 1 race official!
Here is the course description from Cross Country Canada, “This is a 10 hour course that provides an overview of what a cross country ski competition is all about. The focus is on the duties of minor officials for both Olympic Style (individual start, mass start, pursuit start, relay start and sprints) and Loppet Style (mass participation) competitions.” Contact us to register info@StrathconaNordics.com
Were you born in 1997 or 1998? If so, you are eligible for the BC Winter Games in 2012! On December 31, we will hold our Winter Games Trial Race on Mount Washington. Skiers must participate in the trial race in order to qualify. At least 8 skiers from our zone (Vancouver Island) can take part in the cross-country skiing events and festivities.
On February 23-36, the Vancouver Island team will join other skiers of the same ages from communities throughout BC for a weekend of cross-country skiing competition and fun in Vernon! Contact Marilyn for more information. marilyna@shaw.ca
Check the Calendar for this weekend’s all-club events. Enjoy this last blast of summer, and stay hydrated!
Details on registration and fall events coming next week!
September is here! We hope everyone has a chance to get outside and enjoy the lovely weather in the forecast this weekend. Also remember, you only have until September 30 to buy a Mount Washington nordic season’s trail pass at earlybird rates.
Do you shop at Thrifty Foods? If so, you can now raise money for the ski club every time you buy groceries. Contact Berend Henckel to pick up a SNSC/Thrifty Foods Smile Card. You can load up your Smile Card at Thrifty Foods with as much money as you want and reload the card when it runs out. Every time you use your SNSC Smile Card, Thrifty Foods will donate 5% of the value of the purchase to our ski club. The money will go towards the new ski club uniform program. Visit the Thrifty Foods website to learn more, or contact Berend with your questions or to pick up a card! bhenckel@telus.net/250-703-4571
Everyone is welcome to a roller ski training session this Saturday, September 3! We’ll be using the Royston loop. Meet at 10am at the end of Cameron Road in Royston. We’ll be working on technique and preparing for Tuesday’s time trial! Even though there isn’t much traffic on this road, remember that reflective safety vests are mandatory–along with helmets of course.
You can find a video if you visit the July pages. Contact info@strathconanordics.com for more information.
If you haven’t seen it yet, be sure to scroll down to the August 8 news post to view the beautiful video that was shot on the Mount Washington nordic trails by xczone.tv Look for Snowpocalypse Now.
Happy long weekend everyone!
We hope everyone is enjoying this final month of summer. Fall is approaching quickly, so if you are thinking about the upcoming ski season, Mount Washington nordic season passes are on sale for winter 2012. Note: Their earlybird prices are only in effect until September 30!
We’ll be opening our program registration in early October. Watch for website updates over the next couple of weeks. Additionally, your club needs you! If you can spare a few hours this fall and winter, contact us to choose from a variety of volunteer jobs! info@StrathconaNordics.com
In a blur of activity, the Junior Racing Team work hard at a recent plyometric training session.
This Sunday, August 28, join your fellow club members on a run/hike at Nymph Falls Park in Courtenay. Meet at 10am in the Nymph Falls parking lot to explore the trails along the Puntledge River. Be ready for approximately 2-3 hours of activity. Dress for the weather and bring your own hydration.
Labour weekend, we hope enough snow will have melted, so we can take our run/hikes into the mountains! Look for updates next week.
We have a change in the schedule for this weekend’s all-club run/hike. Due to snow (still!), we will not be doing the cross-over from Forbidden Plateau to Raven Lodge this weekend. Instead, we’ll run and hike in the Snowdon Forest in Campbell River.
Sunday, August 21
Hope to see you there!
A beautiful video from the folks at xczone.tv!
Check out our August activity schedule below!
We hope everyone is enjoying this lovely summer weather! Please make note of the following all-club run/hikes and roller ski workouts:
Note: Along with helmets, reflective safety vests/shirts are mandatory for all roller ski workouts and time trials. They are available at Canadian Tire, stores that sell running gear, and work supply stores.
Remember to dress for the weather and stay well-hyrdrated! Hope to see you there.
For more information, contact info@StrathconaNordics.com. Happy Summer!
Join us this weekend for roller skiing and hiking!
Remember to dress for the weather and bring your own hydration and snack. Be ready on both days for approximately 1.5 and 2.5 hours of physical activity.
Check out our mini video from last Sunday’s time trial – below!
