Thirty-six wide-eyed ski Bunnies and Jackrabbits hit the trails at the Callaghan Valley Nordic centre as the first kids to learn cross-country skiing via the Squamish Nordic Ski Club's development program on Sunday (Jan. 13).
The Bunnies (ages 3-5) and Jackrabbits (ages 6-9) were lucky to be there. The new program experienced such high demand from eager kids and parents that it couldn't accommodate all applicants, said Skill Development Program Coordinator Heather Wood.
"We're in desperate need of coaches," she said. "We'd love to do a couple of courses this winter so that we have enough coaches to start next year."
The eight-week cross-country program is the first to use the Callaghan Valley site as its home base. It's part of a nationwide long-term development program created by Cross Country Canada, which is designed to guide skiers' progress from youth to adulthood.
The first three stages (including the Bunnies and Jackrabbits) encourage fun, physical activity and enjoyment of winter sport, which prepares skiers to strive for competitive excellence and maintain it as a lifelong activity in the following stages. Wood spent Sunday introducing the new footwear to the three, four and five-year-olds.
"They did really really well and they loved it," she said. "With the little ones you're really just playing games on snow so they can get used to being on skis and being out in the winter."The club is encouraging parents to apply for the Introduction to Community Coaching (ICC) course so that the program can expand to meet demand.
Applicants need very little skiing experience for the entry level course which offers certification to instruct three to five-year-olds. The cost is $55. Entry level coaches are then able to take the Community Coaching (CC) course, which costs $65, and instruct novice skiers of any age. Both fees are reimbursed after participants start coaching. President John Tisdale said the enthusiasm coming from the community is more than he expected when the club first formed this fall. Callaghan Valley is attracting both experienced skiers and people looking for a new way to keep fit.
"I think there was a little bit of the unknown when the venue opened as far as how people were going to respond, especially with Squamish, which didn't have a club before. So, the response has been really good. I mean, we're almost at 200 members so far."Tisdale expects the children's development programs to increase interest in cross-country skiing for years to come."I've seen this with other ski clubs in the past where they start out with 20 or 30 kids and the next year it's 60 and the next is 90 kids," he said. "It just grows."
Those who want to apply for a coaching course should contact Heather Wood 604-892-5165 [email protected] or Todd Pope [email protected].
