Nordic Racers Ski Club:
The Leading Edge,
April 2004

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In This Issue:
My Life as a Coach | Reflections of a XC Ski Coach | Members in the News | Club & Other Events | Community Bulletin Board | Website of Interest

Coach: [n] (sports) someone in charge of training an athlete or a team.

Behind every great athlete there is a coach. This edition of the Leading Edge features articles from two members of the Nordic Racers that have embraced the often underrated and underappreciated vocation of coaching. It's often the coaches that are the unsung heroes in sport, who willingly sacrifice an incredible amount of personal time to help others succeed.

My Life as a Coach

By Tony Chin

Klister! What diabolical mind invented this stuff? I've got an itch but I don't dare scratch it because I don't want my hand to be crazy-glued to my body. Yeah, I saw American Pie 2 (twice), so I know what can happen!

It's a gorgeous day with clear blue skies. This is the third day of the BC Winter Games. I have eight pairs of skis to klister, and the race is about to start in only 30 minutes. Nothing like a little time pressure to get the adrenaline running. How did I end up on top of Mount Washington on a beautiful sunny day with eight junior racers? I blame it on the NCCP program. Nope, this isn't a racial thing -- that's the N-double A-C-P. I'm referring to the National Coaching Certification Program.

At first it seemed harmless enough: just take a few courses and learn how to become a better skier and a better all-round athlete. The NCCP is the only place where they teach you how to roller ski; effective year-round training techniques; effective visualization techniques; how to cope with pain and fatigue; and, among many other things, how to wax! If you want to achieve your skiing potential, this is the way to go.

Initially, I took the theory and the technical course, which then qualified me as a "Trained Level 1 Coach." After this introduction, I completed the practical component and was officially declared a "Certified Level 1 Coach." With five levels of certification, much of what we think of coaching is not really covered in the first level. Athlete development (in racing NCCP lingo) is covered in Course Levels 2 and 3. High performance athlete development is covered in Levels 4 and 5. In order to proceed up the course level ladder, I had to coach.

The cross country coaching fraternity is made up of an amazing group of people. They are indeed a very altruistic bunch, as few coaches in this sport actually receive payment for all their hard work and sacrifice, so the motivation is really for the love of the sport.

Most coaches are willing to share their knowledge and experience. In fact, this concept of knowledge-sharing is built right into the NCCP program -- coaches have to mentor as well as be mentored. In addition, there are various Provincial Coaching Experience (PCE) and International Coaching Experience (ICE) assignments that must be completed. This means that coaches must spend time with the provincial team, the national junior team and even the national team. This past season I completed several PCE assignments. One assignment allowed me to act as an assistant coach with the BC Team at the World Junior Trials. This was a very eye-opening experience!

What does it take to support an elite racer? Well, it means getting to the race site, setting up the waxing tent, and testing waxes four hours before the race begins.

It means knowing the athletes' needs during the race. Most athletes need to take fluids in during the race, so "feed stations" must be set up to supply the athletes with the sport drinks that they have brought to the race -- this is absolutely crucial. It means knowing the athletes' emotions -- some get too psyched and need to relax, while others are too relaxed and need to be emotionally aroused. It means giving "splits" -- but only to those athletes that want them. In short, coaching is a multi-faceted role. A coach is a wax technician; a sport psychologist; a personal trainer; and an all-round team manager/organizer.

Originally, I didn't set out to become a coach, but it has become such a rewarding experience that I find myself happily coaching racers at different competitions around the province. So here I am, on Mount Washington with the Zone Team representing the Lower Mainland, fulfilling the role of wax technician.

Klister! Why does it always have to be klister!

Tony Chin is president of the Nordic Racers and is a trained NCCP Level 3 Coach.

Reflections of a XC Ski Coach

by Alan Ball

Many of the direct rewards of coaching come from seeing behavior change -- technique improves, preparedness improves, and performance at races improves. There is a continuous stream of such rewards if your coaching is successful. The best reward of all is the energy that beams back at you when someone you are coaching "gets it." The technique clicks, or the training pays off in a successful performance and the athlete radiates joy and accomplishment. It doesn't matter what level this occurs at -- from Jackrabbits to gold medals -- when you see that "I Feel Good!" grin, it's a great moment.

The down side is that you get to share the disappointment of athletes who have bad days, who are sidelined with injuries or illness, or who even do their very best, but don't medal. You see all their hopes dashed, and -- inevitably -- yours too. Their disappointment hurts. Living life vicariously is a dangerous thing. A coach has to remain focused on the aspects of success (performance) that are under his or her control, not on the rewards of the sport system.

When you form a coaching relationship with an athlete, it is a reciprocal relationship. If you are teaching a class, the commitment only lasts as long as the class -- an hour or two, or maybe a day or two. If you are coaching an athlete who needs to train for months at a time to succeed, the relationship will likely last for years. It is a serious commitment. You expect the athlete to commit to his or her best efforts in response to your instruction and advice. The athlete expects you to be equally dedicated to supporting his or her training plan.

Inevitably, coaches are role models for the athletes in more aspects of their lives than just the sport you share. This not an obligation you can avoid when you coach children and young adults. It is the source of many interesting discussions with parents and athletes about life-style and growing up.

Most people regard cross country skiing and biathlon as individual sports -- it's one person against another, with no teamwork required. There is very good anecdotal evidence that suggests that athletes who train in a supportive team atmosphere succeed more often than those who do not.

Building this team spirit and building your athletes into a mini-tribe or "gang" is an important part of coaching. This socialization aspect is particularly important for teenagers. It's where much of the "fun" comes from -- not so much from doing "fun things", although those are important, but from having "serious fun" doing the sport together. Inclusion in the tribe is another reward for the successful coach.

After some reflection, it seems coaching is as much about leadership as it is about coaching. Yes, you need technical skills and sport knowledge, but you also have to sell the athletes on your ability to "make it happen."

Alan Ball is club coach for the Nordic Racers' Challenge program (including Biathlon). He has been racing and coaching since the late '70s and is currently pursuing NCCP Level 4 Tasks in both Biathlon and XC. Alan is the recipient of two 3M Coaching Canada Awards for Excellence.

Club Members Making the News

Holly Burn Sprint Race Results

Thanks to all competitors and spectators who came out to Cypress Mountain on a fantastic sunny spring day to participate in the Holly Burn Race. Again, a big thank you to all the race organizers and volunteers who made the event possible.

For complete race results, check out www.zone4.ca.

Click image to enlarge

Race Day Concentration

Junior Extraordinaire -- Claire Corbett

Holly Burn Race Officials at the Finish

Photos courtesy of Dominique Barabé

BC Development Squad 2004-05

The BC Development Squad for the 2004/05 season has been chosen. The Nordic Racers' own Zoe Braul has been selected to join this pool of talented young athletes. Congratulations Zoe!

• Zoe Braul (Nordic Racers)
• Allyson Cummings (Sovereign Lake Nordic Club)
• Brian Werrell (Omineca Ski Club)
• Brittany Palumbo (Caledonia Nordic Ski Club)
• Clare Peacock (Black Jack CC Ski Club)
• Daniel Brown (Telemark CC Ski Club)
• Greg Finch (Sovereign Lake Nordic Club)
• Hannah Doyle (Bulkley Valley CC Ski Club)
• Matthew Wylie (Sovereign Lake Nordic Club)
• Patrick Egan (Sovereign Lake Nordic Club)
• Stephan Mueller (Snow Valley Nordic Ski Club)
• Sydney Van Loon (Spud Valley Nordic Club)
• Tristan Flock (Sovereign Lake Nordic Club)

2004 Masters World Cup - Highlight

We have a world champion in our midst! Nordic Racer Alena Branda placed first in her age category (20 km Free Technique), and posted a time of 1:00:52, at the 24th Masters World Cup in Lillehammer, Norway. Alena also won the 15 km FT race, and received a bronze medal in the 10 km FT race.

Also participating at the MWC were club members Dirk Tempelman-Kluit and Per & Eva Gaarder. Congrats to all!

Club & Other Events

Mark Your Calendars: Nordic Racers Annual General Meeting

The 2004 Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Thursday, June 24th, 2004.

Come out and get involved in your club, and help choose next year's executive. Food and libations will be available! The AGM location and time will be announced as soon as possible.

DRYLAND CAMP: Manning Park

Now that you've finally put away your skis, what do you do for a workout?

To help you figure out your training plan for the summer and fall, sign up for the Dryland Camp currently being organized and led by trained Level 3 NCCP coach Tony Chin.

The Dryland Camp will be held at Manning Park on May 28-30th, and will show how to set up a training schedule; demonstrate exercises that help develop physical and mental skills; and show how to improve ski technique when there isn't any snow.

Other highlights of the weekend include opportunities to enjoy the scenic outdoors, do some orienteering and perhaps sink a paddle in Lightning Lake. Cost is $100 per person and includes two nights' accommodation at Manning Park.

For more information and to register, contact Tony. Deadline for registration is May 13th.

Holly Burn Race 2005

Did you know that the XC ski races in 2010 will be (1) traditional relay, (2) sprints, (3) sprint relay, (4) continuous pursuit, (5) mass start and (6) individual start? If you are like most skiers, you haven't even heard of some of these formats.

Well, we aim to change all that. Over the next few years we want to give everybody the opportunity to experience these formats. As everyone knows, this past season's Holly Burn Race was an exciting sprint race!

What will be the format for the Holly Burn 2005? If you are interested in learning about these new race formats, then join the Holly Burn Race Committee as we tackle yet another exciting new race format. The first meeting of the Holly Burn Race Committee will be held in early May.

If you'd like to join the Holly Burn Race Committee, please e-mail Tony.

Community Bulletin Board

Cypress Bowl Cycling Hillclimb

You don't have to be super-fast or super-fit, nor do you need to have the latest, lightest bike. Come out on Wednesday nights to cycle up the Cypress Bowl Road at your own pace. Meet at 6:30 pm, every Wednesday evening, across from the Works Yard at the base of Cypress Bowl Road.

Remember -- bring warm clothing for the ride down. It's advisable to have a windbreaker, fleece, tights, full-fingered gloves, and a hat under your helmet because the decent can be C-O-L-D!! At this time of year, especially, you may be riding after sunset -- bike lights are strongly recommended. Doing these hillclimb sessions on a regular basis will get you trained up and psyched up for the Seattle to Portland Bike Ride!

Seattle to Portland Bike Ride

This year marks the 25th Seattle to Portland (STP) bicycle ride, to be held July 17th-18th. This is a one- or two-day ride that follows secondary roads 320 km from (where else?) Seattle to Portland.

The STP is well organized, with lots of food stops en route. You won't be lonely either, with up to 8000 other riders for company! A group of Nordic Racers went to STP a few years ago, and a few will be going again this year.

If you're interested in joining, register early at www.cascade.org. For information contact Craig Oliver.

The Ski to Sea Race - A Northwest Tradition Beckons!

Interested in testing your mettle? Then participate in the famous Ski to Sea Race on Sunday, May 30th.

What is the Ski to Sea Race? It's an 82.5-mile relay race open to all persons 15 years or older, and consists of cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, running, biking, canoeing, mountain biking and sea kayaking. A team consists of one person for each leg of the race, except for the canoe leg (two paddlers per canoe).

A local team is looking for a mountain biker, XC and downhill skier to complete their winning team. Contact Gordon Kyle for all the specs.

The annual Ski to Sea Race from Mt. Baker to Bellingham Bay can be traced back to the Mt. Baker Marathon held from 1911 to 1913. The original marathon pitted man and machine against rugged terrain, taking contestants over treacherous roads and trails to the top of the mountain and back.

Website of Interest

www.projectpodium.com

The Project Podium Calendar is an initiative of Cross Country Canada that helps support elite ski programs in Canada. All of the profits from calendar sales go directly to supporting the high performance programs of Cross Country Canada.

This year's calendar features more pictures, a comprehensive race schedule, coaching tips, and a large 12 × 24 inch format.

To order a calendar, check out the site for cost and contact information. Photo above is a sample from the calendar.