Even as perennials poke through the wet garden beds and bikers wheel along Wascana drive, your Ski Club Executive members are completing the 2009-10 season tasks, and planning ahead for next winter's activities.
You will find in this edition of Sitzmarks, reports from each Director, summarizing the activity within each program.
A number of special activities/projects also happened this past season.
We received lots of compliments on our new brochure. We will change photos and refine a few items for next season. In all, we distributed about 1500 copies!
The Ski Club booth at the Olympic torch relay was a big hit with the thousands of Regina citizens who turned out for this one time gala. (see photo). Club volunteers also contributed to this event by assisting with the establishment of a mini-mountain in the Sportplex parking lot and the setting of nordic track for skiing/boarding demonstrations.
The Regina Ski Club Loppet run by Fresh Air Experience was the most successful ever, with lots of racers, and about 200 participants.
The Club is now registered with the National Sport Trust Fund. This will allow for individuals to make charitable donations to the Regina Ski Club, via SaskSki.
More on this in the fall.
Several executive members met in March with Regina members of the Ski Patrol. We now have a certified Nordic Patroller in our club, and he would like some company! Watch for more on this opportunity.
In April, executive members gave of their time to attend two extra 3 hour planning sessions. With the help of a facilitator, we identified areas for improvement and action steps. On the radar are: membership, volunteers, lessons and racing.
Now we will have a break until we begin our executive work in September.
It's been a privilege, and more importantly, lots of fun to collaborate with the fine group of volunteers who make the Regina Ski Club happen!
Have a wonderful green season, everyone.
1. Trips to Vail in January and to Sun Peaks in March were successful with providing service to a limited number of alpine skiers. The communication of information promoted to the alpine skiers of the option to join the end of end of Jan-beginning of Feb. Canmore Nordic trip was again successful and provided the biggest number of alpine skiers for a trip this past year. The Red Lodge trip was cancelled but still involved the same numbers of skiers as Sun Peaks and we were still able to help coordinate vehicles and group rates for rooms and ski passes on the mountain because of 25 years of trips in the past. Thanks you to Ken Stovin for his organization of the fly and ski trip to Sun Peaks- a new destination for this year. Thanks to the Nordic and Racing Team for another year of cooperation in promoting appropriate trips to the alpine recreational skiers as well as their target group.
2. Thank you letter has been written to: i) Brain Sampson for Sunshine and Ski provision of soft drinks for the bus on the Sun Peaks trip and his reduced rate for tune ups for Alpine members of the RSC.
3. Feedback used from last year was: i) fly and ski to different destinations and so we had Vail and Sun Peaks ii) one recommended location was Sun Peaks iii) the extended time on the mountain. Vail was 4 days of skiing and separate days for traveling and Sun Peaks had 3 days plus 2 one half days in traveling days for skiing and Red Lodge plans and 4 days of skiing with separate days for traveling-(this wasn't a club trip because of numbers so some went for 4 days and some for 3 as they had to drive themselves. iv) addition of some web site links to different locations -T. O'Fee put some new links on. (some still wants to try to get links to MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op) and Adventurers Club in Regina. v) expressions of approval for a) communication by email to continue b) keeping web site up to date with trips and pictures so people get the idea, keeping the rule that children need to be accompanied by adult/parent. c) format of some days before the weekend and home on Sunday because there were fewer skiers on the mountain. d) continue to promote bus trips with Racing Team and Cross Country skiers to allow for more options by members. These were all continued. The prize to early bird prize last year didn't appear to help get early sign ups so we didn't go that route this year.
For next year:
i) We need to continue to invite others to step forward with other ideas to promote service to our members. There are a number of members who have been involved over a long term willing to help new members. Perhaps a member at large is better than a director for this area since we are providing service to such a small number of members.
ii) The new brochure was greeted with approval by the shops and many members so they are looking forward to this continuing next year.
iii) Having a promoting presence at the ski swap on a RSC table was once again appreciated by many and there were a number of questions at the Olympic Torch display as well. This was a great cooperative effort by many facets of the club in promotion.
iii) Pin name tags for each participant was suggested and now that we have past blank ones that can be carried through on for next year trips.
iv) Perhaps the survey to members on line on the club services could include some area for comments and suggestions from the alpine recreational trip potential participants.
April '06 M. Isabel Azzopardi
BACK
The Race Team had a total of 20 racers with one Disabled Racer joining the group. They started the season in December with a mountain camp at Banff, then off to a race at Table Mountain to get ready for the Winter Games at Mission Ridge. On March 12, 13, 14, they all went to the Provincial final at Mission. The Sask Cup Race will be run late this year at Panorama on April 6 to 11 (spring skiing). It has been a good year, with a number of racers meeting and achieving a number of personal bests.
The Nancy Greene Ski and Snowboard League also had a good year. We took advantage of the Sask Alpine Learn to Ski day and had over 45 kids come out and try the alpine skiing and boarding. From that we have 4 kids join our club for the rest of the season. Our Introductory Programs (January and February) were well attended. Our Club "bring a friend" as a great success, with a number of new members coming in. In total, we have over 35 kids in our ski and board programs. In late January, we joint hosted a Nancy Greene Festival at Mission. We have QVSC and Duck Mountain clubs at our festival. The kids had a blast and really carved up the hill. As a club, we are off to the Provincial Final at Wapiti on March 20/21. The skiers are taking part and our boarders will run a mini event on Sunday for themselves.
It's been a good year, but we need more kids.
Please let everyone know about our club, as an alpine sport is not front and center
in most people mind....
Allan
BACK
This year, the Regina Ski Club High Performance Racing group focused on new goals, which included hosting the Provincial Championships and building the Team by seeking out new members. Both goals were met. The number of licensed racers was 21, comprised of 14 Juvenile/Midget, 2 Senior and 5 Masters. In addition members of the rowing and canoe/kayaking club were invited to join in on our coaching and training sessions as an effective means of developing future racers. The focus of the high performance group was to develop the ski specific skills and fitness of youth and young adults who had completed the Track Attack program, ages 12 and above. This program is now aligned with the "Training to Train" and "Training to Compete" stages of Sport Canada's Long Term Athlete Development plan
Key events/activities
The year started in May 2009 with the Regina Ski Club hosting a high performance camp at the University of Regina and Douglas Park, comprised of Saskatchewan High Performance Athletes training towards the Canada Winter Games as well as younger athletes. The camp focused on the testing of athletes (including strength, endurance and VO2 max tests for the elite athletes) and learning proper training techniques (i.e., strength training and roller skiing). James Cunningham, the High Performance Director for Western Canada and representing Cross Country Canada, was the Guest Coach assisted by Six club coaches. The Sports Medicine and Science Council sponsored two guest speakers to present on nutrition for sport and psychology in skiing.
Dry Land Training started in October with two practices per week. Fall training sessions consisted of Roller skiing (both classic and skating technique), hill running with poles as well as ski bounding. The Head Coach was Phyllis Bend and Assistant coaches, were Ruth Chambers and Stephen Bend
On-snow training commenced in December and ended in March. Sessions were held at the Saskatchewan Science Centre, Douglas Park Hill, and White Butte Trails. On Monday and Wednesday the group met at the Science Centre, for skill development, interval training and general distance skiing. Each week the Wednesday training session ended with a fun race, such as relay or sprint race. In the absence of scheduled races, the group met at the Douglas Park hill for a time trial or distance training on Saturday and/or Sunday.
Sask Cup Nine racers attended both Sask Cups in Saskatoon and 1st, 2nd or 3rd place ribbons were won by all. Sask Cups 4 and 5 were hosted by the Regina Ski Club racing group on January 9 and 10. Sask Cup 4 was held at the Douglas Park Trails and it was a classic race and Sunday's race was a skate interval at the Science Centre. The Sask Cups attracted nearly 100 participants including two sit skiers. They were well organized and thanks to all the volunteers and sponsors. This race was well attended by local racers as it was the selection race for the Saskatchewan Winter Games, Zone 2. The Olympic Torch Relay celebrations also took place in Regina on this weekend and members of the race team as well as members from the club, demonstrated cross country skiing at the Exhibition Centre on a trail set by Ron Bleichenger. Congratulations to our racers that were winners in the Sask Cup Points Series. Mini Midget Boys, Silver plaque - Simon Chambers, Bronze plaque - Connor Patterson, Juvenile Boys - Silver plaque - Liam McKinnon, Juvenile Girls, Bronze plaque - Rebecca Bend
Saskatchewan Winter Games
Congratulations to our athletes that attended the Saskatchwan Winter Games in Moose Jaw from February 17th to 20th, 2010. The team consisted of Kenzie Vincent, Liam McKinnon, Fearghus Vincent, Matthew Pechey, Rebecca Bend, Jennifer Qing, Lexy Vincent, Maeve McKinnon, Christopher Bend, Jacob Korban, and Simon Chambers Crease. The athletes performed very well, winning seven medals: two silver and five bronze. Medal were won by Lexy Vincent, Jennifer Qing, Rebecca Bend, Kenzie Vincent, Liam McKinnon, Matthew Pechey and Jacob Korban. Phyllis Bend was coach and Peter McKinnon was manager for the team.
After an exhausting few days, many of the racers returned home only to take part in the Regina Ski Loppet on February 21th at White Butte Trails.
Provincial Championships:
The Provincial Championships were hosted by the Regina Ski Club on February 27th and 28th, and held at the White Butte Trails in conjunction with the Biathlon Provincial Races.
Over 100 athletes participated, with representation from Pinehouse, LaRonge, Manitoba, Saskatoon, Esterhazy, Estevan, Humboldt, Flin Flon and Regina.
A banquet and awards evening was held at Luther College, followed by a fun night of swimming and watching the Olympics. Kevin Robinson, Provincial Coach for Canada Winter Games (2011) held a wax clinic.
Many thanks to our sponsors Sask Energy and Sunshine and Ski that helped make the event a success. Also a thank you for the many volunteers, Greg Brewster and his crew for trail setting, Stephen Bend, Hal Herbison, Bob Millar, Ruth Chambers, Craig Francis, Edna Brewster, Mike and Fiona Vincent, and Judy Francis.
Most of the licensed racers participated in the Saskatchewan Provincial Championships and many medals were won.
Regina was also well represented at the Sask Loppet in La Ronge.
Assessment:
It was rewarding to see a large group of Juvenile and Midget athletes participating in regular training and sanctioned ski events.
Collaborations with the Regina Rowing Club and Wascana Canoe Club were both beneficial and fruitful.
Overall, the Regina Ski Club cross country racers had a successful and active season. Success comes from enthusiasm and dedication from the athletes, many hours of volunteering and dedication from the coaches, parents and supporters who assisted with the races. On behalf of the Regina Ski Club, thank you for your support. We look forward to another successful season next year.
Additional activities:
Phyllis Bend and Gregg Campbell facilitated an Introduction to Community Coaching (ICC) course where 12 new coaches were certified for the club.
(submitted by Phyllis Bend, May 2, 2010).
Congratulations to the 582 members who participated in the Regina Ski Club this season. A few facts you may find interesting: