Skill Development Program (SDP)
Registration for SDP will open November 13, 2023 and close January 1, 2024.
- Lessons run weekly from January 13, 2024 to March 16, 2024.
- All of our volunteer coaches are certified through the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP).
- We also welcome parents to snap on their skis and volunteer! We can use help supervising at each level – and you can learn some ski skills along the way!
Protecting our children’s health:
- If you or anyone in your household is sick, please stay home.
SDP Goals:
- Develop fitness through active play, games and other activities.
- Be fun.
- Provide children an opportunity to be part of a sport “team”.
- Develop competence in cross country ski skills.
- Expose children to a variety of “adventure-based” cross country ski activities.
SDP Classes offered for 2024
- Bunnies
- Jack Rabbit Level 1
- Jack Rabbit Level 2
- Jack Rabbit Level 3-4 split
- Track Attack
- Trail Blazers
- *Please note we cannot accommodate beginner skiers over the age of 7 this year*
Membership
- All SDP participants must hold a club membership for the 2023/2024 season.
Rentals
- Rental equipment is available for children in all levels.
Rental Rates:
- Bunny Kit: $50 (includes classic skis and boots)
- Classic Skis: $50
- Skate Skis: $70
- Classic or Combi Boots: $30
- Classic Poles: $10
- Skate Poles: $10
Lessons
- Children in Bunnies and Jackrabbit Levels 1 and 2 must be able to attend:
- Saturdays 1-2pm
- Children in Jackrabbit Level 3 & 4 must be able to attend 2 lessons:
- Saturdays 1-2pm
- Wednesdays 6-7pm
- Children in Track Attack must be able to attend 2 lessons:
- Saturdays from 1-2:30pm
- Wednesdays from 6-7pm
- Children in Trail Blazers must be able to attend:
- Saturdays from 1-2:30pm
- and are encouraged to attend Wednesdays from 6-7pm
*The program coordinator reserves the right to adjust classes based on participants skills, as determined on the first day of lessons.
All students must commit to attending the first two lessons or they will not be allowed to continue lessons, no refund permitted. If this is a concern, please contact our SDP coordinator. Participating in early lessons means children:
-
- learn key skills pertinent to success in the lessons
- are able to keep up with the class, not holding others up
Essential Volunteers
- This is a parent/volunteer run program. One parent must be willing to volunteer in some capacity, the top priority being to ski along with a class to help supervise the lesson. Other volunteer opportunities include supervising & cleaning up snack, preparing and serving end-of-lesson hot chocolate, and organizing the end-of-season potluck.
- Bunny parents need to participate with their child for at least the first two lessons and until the coach indicates to the individual parents that their child is ready to be left without parental support. Adult skis can be rented from our rental shop each Saturday before lessons begin.
SDP Class Selection
SDP participants are grouped as closely as possible by age and experience.
Please select SDP class based on the age group and experience.
If your child does not fit the class selections or you have questions, please contact our SDP Coordinator.
Please read the pre-requisites for each level carefully as membership and insurance fees are non-refundable. If you have questions, please reach out to our SDP coordinator at wjnsc.sdp@gmail.com.
| Experience | SDP class selection | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal or no skiing experience | Age 4-5: Bunnies*
Age 6-7: JR Level 1 Please note we cannot accommodate beginner skiers over the age of 7 this year |
|
| *Bunnies are typically repeated for 2 years, unless the child completes Bunnies when they are 5 years old. | ||
| Nordic skiing experience but has not done JackRabbits | JR 2 (subject to first day assessment) |
|
| Has completed Bunnies or new skier aged 6-7 | JR Level 1 |
|
| Has completed Level 1 | JR Level 2 |
|
| Has completed Level 2 | JR Level 3 / 4 split |
|
| Has completed Level 3 | JR 3 / 4 split |
|
| Has completed Level 4 (up to age 14) | Track Attack |
|
| Has completed Level 4 (up to age 14) | Trail Blazers (sport-for-life) |
|
Class Descriptions
Bunnies :
-
- Children ages 4-6 with no ski experience – note that one parent on skis, for safety reasons, must accompany their child in lessons
- Begin to develop movements for classic ski technique
Jack Rabbit Level 1:
- Beginners age 6-7 or completion of Bunnies
- Begin to develop movements for classic ski technique
Jack Rabbit Level 2
- Completion of level 1 or assessed by a coach to be placed in level 2
- Continue to develop movements for classic ski technique
Jack Rabbit Level 3
- Completed level 2 or previous classic ski experience and assessed by a coach to be placed in level 3
- Continue to strengthen classic technique
- Introduction to skate technique
Jack Rabbit Level 4
- Completion of level 3
- Continue to strengthen both classic and skate technique
Track Attack (up to age 14)
- Track Attack is intended for children who have completed JR 4.
- Develop competence in both classic and skate technique with a focus on speed, endurance, and competition.
Trail Blazers (sport-for-life, up to age 14)
- Trail Blazers is intended for children who have completed JR 4.
- Develop competence in both classic and skate technique with a focus on sport for life in a non-competitive setting.
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Fees: $60 and a Whiskey Jack annual membership and a Nordic Canada insurance (paid for at the time of registration) This is required for insurance purposes.
For more information contact our SDP Coordinator at wjnsc.sdp@gmail.com
Please make sure you have reviewed the above information before registering.
Ready to register? Click here
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