Margaret inspires the troops!

Participants braved the cold near-zero temperatures in the XC stadium to be trained in the latest techniques for coaching and inspiring youth skiers from Bill Kochers through OJs.  Everyone was in good spirits as mother nature provided ample new snow. 

"Use that base binder!"

Swix’s Mike Innus provided a classic ski-waxing seminar, although it was hard for him to convince the crowd that there was any trick whatsoever to wax for the perfect blue conditions of the day. 

NYSSRA coaches... ready to inspire great skiing!!!

The clinic was free to NYSSRA members, and could be used for establishing USSA Coaches level 100 certification.  NYSSRA was very pleased with the turnout and coaches left excited to get NY state skiers “in the development pipeline.”

The Wolverine Ski Club leads the pack with 66 members joined! Way to go!

Remember… you can still register online at www.nyssranordic.com and you can still sanction your club with NYSSRA Nordic, just contact kobak1791w@yahoo.com for details.  See you on the snow!

These positions are part time and report to the Director of Athletics.

Experience as an athlete and/or coach required; preferably in a higher education setting. A New York State Driver’s license and driving record acceptable to our insurance carrier are required.

To Apply:

Applicants may submit a letter of intent, resume and contact information for three professional references. Electronic submissions are strongly encouraged and should be sent in Word format to:

employment@paulsmiths.edu

Mailing address:

Director of Human Resources
Paul Smith’s College
PO Box 265
Paul Smiths, NY
12970

Faxed to:
(518) 327-6161.

Paul Smith’s College values diversity in the College community and seeks to assure equal opportunity through its continued Affirmative Action program.

Rochester Nordic Racing is committed to improving the state of cross-country ski racing in the Mid-Atlantic Division amongst J2-U23 athletes. Cross-country ski racing is no longer a winter-only sport. Consistent, year-round training is a major step towards reaching our goal of developing the best junior racers in the country. Rochester Nordic Racing will work in conjunction with local and regional programs to help support the aspirations of junior skiers in the Mid-Atlantic Division.

For more information about RNR, contact Jhettenb@vt.edu

Description of the Nordic Development Club

The Tupper Lake Youth Nordic Ski Development Club will be an after-school program, offered under the auspices of Tupper Lake Central School District (TLCSD), Town of Tupper Lake Recreation Department, and the New York Ski Educational Foundation (NYSEF), designed for students in Grades 2 through 8, to meet twice weekly for Cross County (X-C) skiing lessons and on scheduled weekends for optional regional competitions.  X-C skiing lessons will take place on the LP Quinn nature trails adjacent to school property alleviating the problems associated with transportation to a X-C skiing facility.  When transportation is available, the group will practice on the X-C trails at the Tupper Lake Country Club.  Participants will have the option of being involved in regional weekend competitions and the Bill Koch Festival in March.

All students in the TLCSD grades 2 – 8 will be eligible for the program.  TLCSD encompasses the Franklin County communities of Tupper Lake, Piercefield, Conifer, and Childwold.  Participation in regional Bill Koch competition will bring students in contact with other competitors from across the region and state.  Parent volunteers will be assisting at competitive events throughout Adirondack communities.

As the majority of this after-school program takes place on school grounds and will be offered under the auspices of the TLCSD, in addition to learning X-C skiing skills, the participants will have the opportunity to learn leadership, team work, and social skills and participate in academic projects related to their X-C experiences.  Registration will be offered through a process developed by the Town of Tupper Lake Recreation Department and dry-land training and team building exercises will begin in late November.  Skiing lessons will begin as soon as weather permits. 

Excellus BlueCross Blue Shield Community Health Award funding and

monies from the Uihlein-Ironman Sports Fund will provide for the

purchase of performance-based, competitive cross country (X-C) ski

equipment (skis, boots, bindings, and poles) designed for students ages

8 – 14.  In addition, this funding will allow the program to purchase ski

wax, a ski waxing iron, brushes and ski bags.  The Planning Team

 believes that it will be best to purchase good equipment for each

 participant as having individuals purchase their own equipment could

exclude some students from participating and purchasing used

equipment could lead to added expense due to repairs.

Initially, this after-school X-C skiing program will be able to offer equipment to 30 participants for weekly instruction and attendance for the group at approximately 8 weekend regional competitions.  When X-C skiing is participated in outside of gym class, it encourages family involvement in this life-long activity.  Opportunities for family X-C skiing outings will be provided.

Monies for a community coach (training and stipend), travel to area competitions, preparation of training facilities (grooming of trails) and other related, but necessary, expenditures will be requested from a variety of sources including:  Uihlein-Ironman Sports Fund at Adirondack Community Trust, Adirondack Medical Center Foundation, Stewart Shops, NYSEF, Franklin County Youth Activity Board, Tri-Lakes Prevention Coalition, and Town of Tupper Lake Recreational Department. Usage of a ski wax bench (a needed and expensive piece of equipment) will be donated to the program as an in-kind gift. 

Goals of the Nordic Development Club

Goal #1:  To promote safe and healthy lifestyle through learning to cross country ski by acquiring X-C skiing skills

NYS Learning Standard #1 for Physical Education states that physical activities provide “…students with the necessary knowledge and skills to establish and maintain personal health”.  Although the lessons will begin once the snow is ready in December and continue through late March/early April, enhancing each student’s X-C skiing skills will provide them with the training and knowledge to X-C ski throughout their lifetime.  Skill enhancement will be measured utilizing authentic assessment techniques (increased capabilities, time improvement, etc.) and a rubric covering the sub-skills of:

·     Taking good care of equipment, including preparing equipment for practices and races, learning waxing techniques, and knowing how to match type of wax to weather and snow conditions

·     Displaying sportsman-like behaviors at practices and competitions

·     Learning classical and free-style X-C skiing techniques

·     Becoming aware of the importance of appropriate clothing required for before, during, and after skiing and wearing appropriate clothing

Teaching students to dress appropriately for outdoor activities (skiing, waiting around, etc. related to training and competition) is imperative as this has been a big reason why so many people do not go out in the winter.

Goal #2:  To promote safe and healthy lifestyle through learning to cross country (X-C) by improving overall fitness and cardio-vascular capacity

This afterschool X-C skiing program will provide students with regular cardio-vascular exercise that will lead to improved overall health as measured by each student’s pre- and post- TriFit evaluation (fall 2008 and spring 2009).  This data will be discussed with each student so that they learn about their own athletic ability.  Offering X-C skiing as an after-school/weekend program will increase instructional time on a life-long physical activity/skill.

Goal #3:  To promote safe and healthy lifestyle through learning to cross country (X-C) by encouraging family involvement in this activity

X-C skiing is known as a family sport because people of all ages are able to actively participate.  To encourage at least 50% of student families to participate in this after-school program, information and maps on X-C skiing opportunities in the area will be made available.  Students will self-report family X-C skiing outings and families will be involved in regional competitions and the annual Bill Koch festival.  Family trips will be organized depending on interest/involvement.

Goal #4:  To promote safe and healthy lifestyle through learning to cross country (X-C) by relating this after-school instructional program to educational activities (reading, writing, and geography)

Students will complete a journal activity to be shared with students in their classrooms and published in the LP Quinn and Middle/High School newspapers.  Students will be able to present their journals to the Rotary Club, the Town Board, and School Board.  The group will keep a regional map and will insert a push pin for every location they visit.  Each student will have a photocopied map and highlight communities visited.

In an effort to respond to last year’s racers suggestions, part of the course has been repaved.  Additionally, Catskill Mountain Multisport will be on hand selling ski and other equipment (do a little Christmas shopping) and the Hudson Valley School of Massage Therapy will be giving complementary post race massages.

For an application or additional information, contact Greg Malia at 845-518-8598 or dgmaila@earthlink.net.

Fischer RCS skates

Want you to know of all the good things that are going on in preparation for safe, incredibly fun XC races in Winona Forest this coming season. Last season’ event left a lot to be desired….a lot of frustration, but we listened to you all and have made the following changes to make your two events in the forest enjoyable ones. Score-This from Buffalo, NY will do the electronic timing for both the Try-It event on 1/17/09 (an ESGQ) and the Winona Forest Tourathon on 3/14/09 (possibly points rolling over to the 09/10 season).  Many of you know Carl Snow…a famed NYSSRA Nordic XC/Biathlete…Carl will be working with Tom Towne on grooming to ensure the very best tracks possible….Other NYSSRA Nordic members may pitch in as well…..so please support the new Winona Forest XC events….without your support a famous, revamped XC tourathon won’t be what it can be.

Event registration can be found at     http://www.winonaforest.com/racesignup.html   -sign up now to save some $ and support the new WFRA

Membership can be found at     http://www.winonaforest.com/membership.html    -we need your support to enable quality grooming throughout the season for all XC skiers + our two XC races

Thank you so much for your support-we look forward to seeing you on 1/19/09 and 3/14/09

Russ Myer
NN Central Region Rep
XC Co-Chair