Toque Design Contest!

Its that time again…

All Jackrabbit and Bunnyrabbit skiers to participate in designing the 2021 Jackrabbit Toque, which will be worn by 10,500 Jackrabbit and Bunnyrabbit skiers across Canada!

Get your ideas ready! Ontario has been the winner the last couple of years. Let’s see if we can do it again!

Jackrabbit Toque Design Contest 2021

The criteria for entering in the contest are as follows: 

– Contestants must be currently enrolled in a Nordiq Canada Jackrabbit or Bunnyrabbit program

– Contestants must be between the ages of 5-9.

Selection process and timelines:

Designs should be submitted: igyapay@nordiqcanada.ca by noon, MST on March 11, 2020.

– Nordiq Canada will select 10 final designs. The voting period will run from March 11 to March 18, 2020 until noon (MST) via Survey Monkey. Please remember that only Nordiq Canada members are eligible to vote!

– Announcement of the ‘winning’ toque design will be posted on Nordiq Canada’s Facebook page and website.

NEW on-snow games video tutorials!

In collaboration with XC Ski Nation, Nordiq Canada created a video library of 33 on-snow game tutorials to support the development of youth skiers!

The videos will serve as a great tool for Jackrabbit coaches and CC Learning Facilitators, across Canada!

The videos are on the XC Ski Nation Website, in French and in English, but unlike most of the other videos, these are completely open access.

English: http://www.cccski.com/Programs/Athlete-Development/33-New-Jackrabbit-Games-Videos.aspx?lang=en-CA#.Xcr5iNVlAl0

French: http://www.cccski.com/Programs/Athlete-Development/33-New-Jackrabbit-Games-Videos.aspx?lang=fr-CA#.Xcr5PNVlAl0

This is a new an excellent resource for Jackrabbit Leaders. Check out this webinar to learn more about it.

The coordinators from clubs across the country are invited to join us for a forty-five minute online session where we will address the following three broad topics:

• Delivering complete and progressive programs that will keep young skiers challenged and engaged while promoting and enhancing a culture of skiing;
• Identify and examine the materials and strategies available to Program Coordinators to best effectuate their tasks;
• Explore some approaches to managing SDP materials to promote a higher level of engagement and achievement of program goals.

 While specifically targeting Program Coordinators, this free and accessible session is by no means restricted. Club administrators and coaches are also invited to attend.

English: http://www.cccski.com/Programs/Athlete-Development/Program-Coordinators-Webinar.aspx#.XdWajtVlAl0

Coaching Courses 2019

Check for Coaching Courses in your area!

All coaching registration is available on The Locker. To register follow these steps:

1. Go to http://coach.ca/
2. Click on”The Locker” on the right to get to the Login page.
3. Log onto your Locker profile with your NCCP # and password.
4. If you are a new coach and don’t already have a NCCP #, click on the “Don’t have an NCCP #? Create one now.!” on the Login page which comes up after clicking on “The Locker”. Follow the steps to create one. Your coaching number will be assigned to you right away. You will then see it in your Profile.
5. Click on Calendar (top tab)
6. Filter by Month and Province (e.g. Oct/ON)
7. Filter by sport (CCC)
8. The workshop you are looking for will appear on the right
9. Register on the right hand side of the calendar
10. ‘Register’ – Locker automatically registers your name and NCCP #
11. Pay with credit card
12. Modules will be credited to your transcript after the event

Introduction to Community Coaching – Prerequisites: None

This course is done online and can be found on The Locker

Community Coaching – Prerequisites: Introduction to Community Coaching

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Date: November 30th to December 1st, 2019

Location: Nakkertok South

Facilitator: Geoff Tomlinson

Contact: gtomlinson115@gmail.com

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Date: December 6th to 7th

Location: Georgian Nordic

Facilitator: Katja Mathys

Contact: cd@xcskiontario.ca

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Date: December 6th to 7th, 2019

Location: Porcupine Ski Runners

Facilitator: Mary Waddell

Contact: marywaddell33@gmail.com

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Date: December 13th to 14th, 2019

Location: Walden Cross Country

Facilitator: Mary Waddell

Contact: marywaddell33@gmail.com

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Date: December 14th to 15th, 2019

Location: Arrowhead Nordic

Facilitator: John Cowan

Contact: jscowan@sympatico.ca

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Date: December 21st to 22nd, 2019

Location Nakkertok South

Facilitator: Geoff Tomlinson

Contact: gtomlinson115@gmail.com

Competition Coach L2T Dryland – Prerequisites: Community Coaching

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Date: October 5th to 6th, 2019

Location: Nakkertok South

Facilitator: Jennifer Tomlinson

Contact: jtomlinson@rogers.com

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Date: October 26th, 2019

Location: Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club

Facilitator: Mary Waddell

Contact: marywaddell33@gmail.com

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Date: November 1st to November 3rd, 2019

Location: Highlands Nordic

Facilitator: Gord Salt

Contact: salt@bell.net

Competition Coach L2T On Snow – Prerequisites: Community Coach & L2T Dryland

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Date: January 11th to 12th, 2019

Location: Nakkertok South

Facilitator: Mike Vieira

Contact: mvieira@paralympic.ca

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Date: January 18th to 19th 2019

Location: Nakkertok South

Facilitator: Jennifer Tomlinson

Contact: jtomlinson@rogers.com

Ski to School Scholarship

Nordiq Canada is now accepting applications for the ski to school scholarship! The scholarship has been funded by Canadian university alumni cross country skiers and other interested parties to encourage students to continue to combine excellence in both academics and cross country skiing as they proceed with their post-secondary, university or college education.

Deadline to apply is November 15th.

Questions: Ilona Gyapay, IGyapay@Nordiqcanada.ca

Call for Coach Stories!

National Coaches week is September 21st to 29th, 2019.

We often hear parents and athletes telling coaches how much they appreciate what coaches do, now is the time to stand on the rooftops and let everyone know it! Who knows, we might even spread the joy by recruiting others when they hear about what they are missing.

Why is your coach the greatest!? (show your appreciation and make them blush)

We’ll pick out three submissions (stories and/or pictures) each day to post on the NC website and other social media outlets (Facebook, Instagram, etc.) and we encourage divisions and clubs to post in their media.

The earlier you submit, the more likely we really like your story or more likely that it gets picked out of the daily draw.

We’ll keep all submissions in the barrel from the time we receive them to the end of coaches’ week.

Please send submissions to Stephen Novosad: snovosad@nordiqcanada.ca

http://www.cccski.com/Programs/Coaching-Development/Call-for-Coach-Stories!.aspx?lang=en-CA#.XYJIumZMEl0

Social Media

It was a great weekend of conversation and learning between clubs at the XCSO AGM in Ottawa! One of the conversations was talking about social media. We are in a world of people looking for information right at their finger tips. More and more you also need to communicate in many different ways to get your message out there! I am no expert but have become practiced at communicating through social media and found a system that works for me.  Please feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss some ideas that could work for your club!

Here are some tips that have worked for me.

1. Find a time of day where you get the most “reactions”, and then post consistently at those times. For me that happens to be at noon, 5PM, and 9PM. You can find these stats in whichever platform you may be using. I like to set an alarm to remind me to post.
2. Create a calendar. Every 4 months I go through events, “special days” (like Family Day or  Day). I usually schedule something every other day, but you come up with something that works for you! Maybe that’s once every 3 days or Monday, Thursday, Saturday. Just try and stay present in your customers view. With the calendar you don’t need to struggle to think of something in the moment. Of course if something else happens to come up that’s great! You can just use what you had scheduled for another day.
3. For events you are running post those on social media a month in advance. Then you can continue to promote it as the event comes up.

Need to posting ideas? Here is list to help get you started!

• the importance of glide waxing
• we dont just ski, check out our snowshoe trails
• perks of being a member
• get ready for roller ski season
• happy Monday
• kids learning and having fun on snow
• why dont you come out and enjoy winter this family day weekend
• looking for something to do during the march break?
• how to prep for the ski swap
• Would you rather?
• Where am I? (trail picture)

Another Ontario Winner!

Congratulations to Kate from Bruce Ski Club on an excellent new hat design!

Kelly’s Austrian Adventure

I received the exciting opportunity to travel across the pond to watch part of the World Championships in Seefeld, Austria. This trip was sponsored by Fischer Nordic, and included watching world cup athletes compete, some skiing in the mountains at 1300m, and a tour of the Fischer Factory!

Highlands Teddy has his bags all packed and is ready to go!

February 26^th

Travel Day!

Getting fueled up at Petes Deli!

February 27^th

Arrival in Munich was smooth and we hop in the taxi to make our way to Reid.

Late in the day arrival means the first of many dips in the pool during the trip. To fight the jet lag I go for a little walk and I am amazed at how far ahead the weather is. It is about the same altitude as home and I would say they are at least 2 months ahead of where we are. Lots of green and birds in the air.

February 28^th

Fischer Factory tour day!

Fischer started in 1924, making wooden sleds.

The Evolution of the Fischer logo

The latest and greatest are the 3D Speedmax, gliding sidewalls. This redeveloped technology means that we now have the ability liquid glide wax the sidewalls to make a faster ski!

Little known fact that Fischer makes hockey sticks! Kit from Alberta shows it off.

Pictures and video aren’t allowed in the Factory.

Even though it was inventory day and the machinery wasn’t in action, we had a full walk through of the step by step process of how the skis are made. Everything from the SCS ski and up is made in Austria. Each ski is made individually and then paired based on the camber of the ski.

Stacks and stacks of skis are already being made for next season.

Now that’s just a couple of Speedmax’s

The Canadian Team! Nick (Quebec), Gilles (Quebec), Bob (Ontario), Ben (Quebec), Ron (Ontario), Shane (British Columbia), Joel (Quebec), Luc (Quebec), Fred (our fearless leader), Claude (Quebec), Duncan (Ontario), Arron (Alberta), Kit (Alberta), John (Alberta), Bryan (Ottawa), Me!

And now we know how much we are being spoiled as we roll into our 5 Star Hotel. We literally DROVE into reception.

The view from my hotel room.

March 1^st

First day of equipment testing! I was on a pair of Speedmax skate skis and One way Poles (a business that Fischer has just bought). We had a beautiful ski and it was so nice to move after some long days of travel. Also in case you were wondering the Speedmax was an amazing ski 🙂

Ron, John, Bob & Me.

A groomer that has been changed into a food truck!

It was a wet day to watch races, but the rain couldn’t dampen the excitement of all 12,000 spectators at the Men 4 by 10km relay. 2 laps of classic and 2 laps of skate.

All together now.

There may be just a few Norwegian’s attending this event. And this is apparently the whole countries favourite song.

A little ski jumping to wrap up the day. Does it look familiar? If you watched Eagle Eddie it should. This is where they filmed the Calgary Olympic Scene. Of course this looks nothing like the Calgary, but it is a nice site for a movie.

Now those are some BIG cowbells.

March 2^nd

Day 2 of ski testing. I took out a pair of Speedmax Skins, and Fischer poles. It was an early morning ski that started the day off just right.

Battle of who has the biggest team truck.

Team Norway

Team Canada

The US Team Truck

I had to nerd out on the fleet of groomers for a minute.

Rocking out at the Women’s 30km. Note the lady in blue is knitting to the beat.

March 3^rd

Last day of fun! I thought we were just going to a little ski. Turns out I chose the group that went for a 25km trek up and down the mountain. I was toast, but it was well worth it.

Hannes, Joel, Ben and Me.

Off to the races! Men’s 50km.

See you on the trails!

Jackrabbit 2020 Toque Design Contest

The criteria for entering in the contest are as follows: 

o    Contestants must be currently enrolled in a CCC Jackrabbit or Bunnyrabbit program

o    Contestants must be between the ages of 5-9.

Selection process and timelines:

• Designs should be submitted: igyapay@cccski.com by noon, MST on March 31, 2019.
• Cross Country Canada will select 10 final designs and post them on the CCC Facebook page for you to vote on. The voting period will run from March 31 to April 15, 2019 until noon (MST) Please remember that only CCC members are eligible to vote!
• Remember to join CCC’s Facebook page to ‘vote for your favourite Jackrabbit design here!
• Announcement of the ‘winning’ toque design will be posted on CCC’s Facebook page and website on April 16, 2019.

2020 Jackrabbit Toque Design Contest

Parenting Coaching 101

Many questions arise from parents who are new to cross-country skiing as well as for many of the seasoned veterans.

Parents may not realize how their support can enhance their child’s skiing experience and few may know where to solicit support and information, whether you only wish for your young skier to have fun outdoors in winter or to establish a foundation for your developing athlete.

Cross-Country Canada in partnership with the Coaching Association of Canada, has established an easily accessible coaching development pathway that all cross-country ski coaches must follow.

The starting point is a combination of two online learning courses that can be done from anywhere at the learner’s own pace.

While these courses were specifically developed for aspiring community coaches, many parents (coaches or not) have expressed how useful and valuable taking this training has been for them.

Parents of young skiers inevitably become the coach’s assistants!

ICC Elearning Step By Step