by Kathy Stahr | Sep 10, 2018 | Member News
Dear Members,
Preparations for the 2018 BC Alpine Member Summit and Annual General Meeting are underway!
When: Day 1: Saturday, September 29th, 2018 – buffet lunch served at 11:30 am, meeting from 12:00 noon to approximately 5:00 pm
Day 2: Sunday, September 30th, 2018 – light breakfast served at 7:45 am, meeting from 8:30 am to approximately 1:30 pm
Where: The Coast Capri Hotel, 1171 Harvey Avenue, Kelowna BC V1Y 6E8, coastcaprihotel.com
****BOOK YOUR ROOM AT THE COAST CAPRI SOON!! Call the hotel directly at 1.250.860.6060 and be sure to let them know you're with BC Alpine to access the special group rate.
Please see our detailed Agenda and Online RSVP page (be sure to sign up so we know you’re coming!)
We are excited to announce that one of the greatest Sport Science Directors in Alpine Ski Racing will be the keynote speaker at our meetings in Kelowna! Dr. Robert Reid has been instrumental in Norway´s growing success since he took on that role in 2010 and created the Sport Science Department at the Norwegian Ski Federation. His PhD in Biomechanics combined with his coaching background make him unique in our sport, and his approach to development, high performance and culture is state-of-the-art. He will be speaking to both the coaches and to the general membership.
Key points from Dr. Reid's background:
– Born in Texas, Grew up in Missouri
– 1993-1997: Assistant sport science and dryland coach, USSA; Assistant coach and teacher, Mt. Hood Academy
– 2000-2004: Dryland coach WC Men, Norwegian Alpine Ski Team
– 2004-2010: PhD in biomechanics, Norwegian School of Sport Science
– From 2010: Sport Science Director, Norwegian Alpine Ski Team
Everyone is invited to the always popular social and awards banquet on Saturday night:
2018 Goldie Awards Banquet and Social (great food, friends and fun!!)
When: Saturday, September 29, 2018 – 6:00 pm cocktails (cash bar), dinner (on us) at 7:00 pm
Where: Bohemian Cafe & Catering Co., 524 Bernard Avenue, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 6P1
PLEASE RSVP HERE – We look forward to seeing everyone again, during what promises to be an interesting, productive and enjoyable two days in Kelowna. All members are encouraged to attend. See you there!
Hugh MacNaught
BC Alpine Chair
by Kathy Stahr | Sep 7, 2018 | Member News
Nelson’s Bob Swan inducted into Canadian Ski Hall of Fame – story in the Nelson Star
SAVE The Date!
The Canadian Ski Hall of Fame and Museum will welcome its new inductees since 2010 at a ceremony in Banff, Alberta, on November 21st. The six inductees are:
Alpine athletes Thomas Grandi, John Kucera and Bob Swan;
Nordic coach Marty Hall along with builders John Fry and Russell Goodman.
Stay tuned for more details about the event in Banff!
Bobby Swan competed for Canada at the 1964 and 1968 Winter Games. He’s been a Whitewater regular ever since. Photo: Tyler Harper
by Keven Dubinsky | Aug 28, 2018 | Member News
The following list of members (by club) have been approved for a CWSAA All Areas Pass for the 2018-19 season. These members need to complete the online waiver and upload their pass photo no later than Sept 7th. Links to the waiver and photo uploader are found below the list of approved names along with instructions on using the online waiver signing application.
Black Dogs Ski Club: Koper Michael, Lauren Koper
Fernie Alpine Ski Team: Dylan Timm, Emily Koles, Emily Lassila-clack, Heiko Ihns, Luke Hoefer, Rod Timm, Werry Tyler
Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club: Brogan Themens, Ciudad Quentin, Frances MacDonald, Kristina Natalenko, Ksenija Kaludjercic, Makyla Slater, Marko Smitran, Nelson Fretenburg, Nicole Mah, Noel Airoldi, Samuel Tafel
Okanagan Ski Team: Aaron Leaman, Andrew Schmidt, Anthony Kurkjian, Austin Boehm, Colm Molder, Devin Blaser, Gerrit Van Soest, Grace Klapatiuk, Hallie Jenkins, Isaac Athans, Jenna Knight, John Sidjak, Koepke Dustin, Luke Mcmillan, Makena Kersey, Marcus Athans, Rane Smith, Trussler Derek, Tyrah Henderson
Prince George Ski Club: Hayes Layton, Isabelle Gibson
Red Mountain Racers: Hanna Schulze, Philip Patterson, Sage Stefani
Sun Peaks Alpine Club: Liam Applegath
Whistler Mountain Ski Club: Alexander Katrusiak, Alyssa Emery, Brendan Moss, Curtis Jepsen, Ella Renzoni, Freya Jumonville, Gemma Bexton, Gigi Kranjc, Guerra Cusi Enric, Jack Forsyth, Jack MacDonald, Jack Morrow, Julia Ross, Katie Doiron, Katie Fleckenstein, Katrina Aidelbaum, Kieran Harley, Kyle Alexander, Lukas Forssander, Maja Woolley, Max Kirshenblatt, Myles Kowalczyk, Nathan Romanin, Pridy Conrad, Skylar Beauregard, Smith Shannon, Tait Jordan
Whitewater Ski Team: Henry Leishman
Windermere Valley Ski Club: Devin Mittertreiner, Gavin Donald, Jacob Yantha, Jasper Cobcroft, Spiegl Helmut
Addendum – CWSAA has released limited passes to the following U16 athletes this season:
Brynn Applegath, David Wood, Emeline Bennett, Fiona McInnes, Heming Sola, Jaden Dawson, Matthias Shorter, Taylor Nellis
Digital waiver
CWSAA is excited to be partnering with 1Risk on the digital waiver for the upcoming 2018-19 season.
Here's the link for the digital waiver:
The digital form is best filled out on a hand held device. If using a PC to fill out the form, the web browser must be either Chrome or Fire Fox. Not adaptable with Internet Explorer.
The digital waiver format is a different format from the past paper form. In the past, information filled out on the first page of the form was for the intended passholder.
With the digital form, it's assuming you are of legal age or the parent/guardian signing on behalf of the minor.
The first part of the form is where the legal age athlete or parent/guardian must initial that they have read the following:
(The signee can either use their finger to initial or the mouse cursor if using a PC. Can not type in their initials.)
- Information on Competitor Pass Program & Alpine Responsibility Code
- Assumption of Risks
- Release of Liability and Waiver of Claims
- Ski Area Operator Day Pass Exclusion of Liability
Once all of 4 green boxes have been initialed, a blue box will appear to initial. Then the app takes the signee to the 'my info' area. Again, this area is intended for the person filling out the form and of legal age. The legal age is 19 years of age except for athletes residing in Albert which is 18 years of age.
Once the parent/guardian enters in their information into the 'my info', they need to select 'I am parent/guardian (not participating) signing for minors'. Then they need to select 'my minors' and enter in the minor's information.
Photo Uploader App
To ease the gathering of photos, CWSAA has a photo uploader app on our website.
Here's the link to the photo uploader: https://cwsaa.org/competitor-pass-upload/
by Kathy Stahr | Aug 24, 2018 | Member News
Olympic medals and countless skiers for life, wow, thanks Rio Tinto!
For 23 years Rio Tinto was a major sponsor of the Nancy Greene Ski League (NGSL), and according to Gareth Manderson, general manager, Rio Tinto BC Works, “It’s a long-standing sponsorship we’ve been very happy to be a part of; especially when an alumni of the program comes home from the Olympics with a gold medal.”
Kelsey Serwa became a household in February at the PyeongChang Olympics when she picked up a gold medal in the “Ladies' Ski Cross” event. Her second Olympic medal and one of 29 won by Canada at the Korean Games.
As a young girl growing up in the Okanagan, Kelsey was fortunate that her parents (both skiers) wanted her to follow their passion and enrolled her in the NGSL. “My ski racing career literally began in the Rio Tinto Nancy Greene Ski League! I remember heading up to my home mountain, Big White, with my family on weekends. This is where my love for skiing really started. It was a bunch of friends out in a big group running through the trees, sometimes we’d ski gates, we’d ski moguls, we’d hit jumps one after the other to see who could do the best spread eagle. Those days really established the foundation for my career because it made skiing fun right off the bat in a really safe learning environment.”
As she grew older, Kelsey’s dedication to skiing led her to the Big White Racers program and onto the BC Ski Team and the National Ski Team in Alpine. In 2008 she switched to Ski Cross and quickly became a World Champion including a 2 time X-Games gold medalist, an Olympic silver medalist and an Olympic gold medalist. “I definitely owe much of my success to the great start I got in the Rio Tinto Nancy Green Ski League,” she claims.
Corporate sponsorship of programs like the NGSL can be like watching a forest you've planted grow. Occasionally one tree will tower above the others, and many more will certainly flourish and thrive!
"The NGSL is our most important race program", said BC Alpine General Manager Anders Hestdalen. "It is at the entry level (ages 4 to 11) that we see our largest membership numbers, and where lifelong friendships and a love for the sport develop. The young people joining the Nancy Greene Ski League learn superior skiing skills while enjoying BC's mountain playgrounds with the whole family! I am confident that many companies would find the NGSL attractive and jump at an opportunity to support entry level ski racing in BC. We make skiers for life and some of the best skiers in the world who go on to win World Cup and Olympic medals. Who wouldn't want to be a part of that?”
For more information please contact Anders at andersh@bcalpine.com
by Kathy Stahr | Aug 14, 2018 | Member News
BC Ski Team Summer Training Group ladies hiking at Garibaldi Provincial Park (l to r) Morgan Pridy, Nicole Mah, Ella Renzoni, Frances MacDonald
July was a big month for the whole crew. We tried our best to expose the athletes to a wide variety of challenges on the physical side of things, and they stepped up to meet each activity with a determination that I found admirable. To compliment the heavy workload, the team was also challenged in other ways, such as cooking classes with Whistler chef Alex Tavouchis. They currently make some great sous chefs, and with a little more practice (and perhaps if Tavouch lets them keep the chefs hats), they will be ready to fuel up with delicious meals this winter!
BC Team Summer Training Group in the kitchen with chef Alex Tavouchis
We also had some great guest appearances to bring in a broader spectrum of knowledge and movement. 'Mystery Mike' with our very own Mr. Janyk was back in full force this year. He blended movement, activation, awareness, and his own experience to help equip the team with a few more tools to handle performance. The big boss, Anders Hestdalen from BC Alpine, made an appearance to lead a more ski specific movement session that he developed while working with the Norgies (in Norway). I think the team thought they were in for a nice relaxed workout, but Anders shattered that pretty quickly. Lastly Tammy McKinnon was a weekly feature, leading yoga sessions that she would tailor to the athletes' level of fatigue, or areas of need, or to my request that we should do core yoga until they couldn't anymore…
BC Team Summer Training Group men mountain biking in the Chilcotins (l to r) Kyle Alexander, Myles Kowalczyk, Marcus Athans
By the end of the camp everyone needed a little break from gym and grindy routine of the previous four weeks. The men headed to the Chilcotins for a bike trip, and the women packed up camping gear and headed to Garibaldi for marathon hike trip.
BC Team Summer Training Group – Medicine Ball Volley
Every few days Nick would call me to check in and see how things were going. My answer usually was "these are some tired pups", and that was a big part of the plan right from day-one. Make tired pups and give them the opportunity to see what they are made of – how strong they could become mentally, and what they are capable of physically. Everyone stepped up. If they continue on this path they will be in a good place heading into what we all know is a long season.
Next for us is a mini camp and our second bout of physical testing. Currently the team is back at home throughout the province continuing to train and getting a well-deserved break from me cracking the whip!!
~ Morgan Pridy, BC Ski Team Coach
MORE PHOTOS
by Kathy Stahr | Aug 8, 2018 | Member News
August 1, 2018
APPLICATION FOR BC ALPINE KOOTENAY ZONE CHAIR
BC Alpine (BCA) is seeking qualified candidates to fill a pending vacancy for Zone Chair of the Kootenay Zone. The successful applicant will represent the zone on its Board of Directors. As the governing body of ski racing in BC, the board of BCA is comprised of members representing each of the four zones within the province.
Candidates interested in serving as Zone Chair should have a passion for ski racing. Past experience on a not-for-profit board and knowledge of the workings of a board from a good governance perspective is an asset. Experience and understanding of the workings of a Provincial Sport Organization is also an asset, but is not required.
The successful candidates would be expected to attend two to three in-person Board meetings per year, plus several teleconference meetings. There is also the expectation to participate on one of the Board committees.
Application Process:
If you are interested and would like to help shape the future of ski racing in British Columbia, please email a letter of interest along with a biographical profile to philm@potentials-unlimited.com by September 8th, 2018.
Candidates will be presented to the Kootenay Zone for election prior to the BC Alpine AGM in late September.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Phil Mittertreiner.
Zone Chair Role Description
· Represent the interests and concerns of the Zone to BC Alpine
· Represent the interests and concerns of BC Alpine to the Zone
· Coordinate the Zone race hosting calendar
· Maintain the Zone Key Contact List
· Manage relationships between clubs within the Zone and between the Zone clubs and BC Alpine
· Manage the Zone bank account
· Act as coordinator for BC Games within the Zone (every 2 years).
· Coordinate zone meetings within the Zone
· Assist in coordination of Zone projects when applicable.
· Participate in BC Alpine board committees when applicable.
· Work with Officials Chair to coordinate Officials Training within the zone.
· Actively participate in Zone events (volunteer, official, coach)
· Actively participate in BC Alpine Board meetings
· 2 days per year in Vancouver (May/June and September)
· Actively participate in BC Alpine Board conference calls
· 2 x per year, approx. 1.5 hours each call
· Actively participate in our annual member summit and AGM
· 2 days, last weekend in September
It is essential the individual is non-biased and is capable of maintaining an objective view regarding BC Alpine initiatives and discussions, over and above the specific interests of their own athlete(s), home club and/or zone.
While it is not a requirement, prior experience in a board or executive capacity within an alpine ski club, either as Club President and/or Alpine Chair, would be an asset. Prior experience as an athlete, coach or official is also an asset.
