Positions Still Available!

Hi Parents,

I am re-posting this info because some of you missed my talk at the sign-up night.  We still need to fill these positions in order to provide the best experience for the kids, this year and into the future.

Please consider taking on a position within the club.  It could be only for a season, or hopefully longer.  If you have kids in the program, we will refund their registration fee ($35 each, for up to 3 kids).

Ski Coach - NEED 1  You don't need a lot of ski experience.  Enthusiastic, fun coaches are the best.  I provide a curriculum, week by week agenda, and on-snow coaching clinic.  I would like to add a group for older kids new to skiing and those struggling with the basics.

Secretary/Treasurer - I have done this for 2014; position will be available in 2015.  Collect payment and registration forms at sign-up night and mail to CXC.  Create and maintain athlete roster.  Track club budget and reimburse vendors for expenses.  Not a big time commitment.  Should be good with spreadsheets and responsible with a checkbook.

Events Coordinator - (Fundraising) - we should start making money to buy a snowmobile or UTV.  We probably won't do the food sales at the ski jump anymore, so we need to come up with other ways to make some money (grants, ski race, trail run, bike race, auction, raffle, car wash?..)  May also coordinate a trail maintenance day or two in the fall.

Groomer - FILLED!  Drive the snowmobile and pull the track setter.  This should be done every Sunday afternoon during the season (Jan and Feb).  That way the trail can 'set up' and hopefully be free of snow drifts, human foot prints, etc.  Some mechanical experience would be helpful.  Typically takes about 2 hours each time.

Snacks & Clean-up - NEED 1  Find vendors willing to donate snacks.  You would need to get the snacks and have them out for the kids.  I will help with initial contacts to the vendors.  There will also be some clean-up (vacuuming etc) needed after every practice.

To sign up for a position, or get more info; contact Dan Goltz at 485-0876 or dan_goltz@hotmail.com

A big "Thank you" to the coaches and others who have taken a position with the club!
-Dan

Tough conditions

Thank you to all the skiers for making the best of tough conditions on Monday.  The snow was very icey and difficult to ski on.  On top of that, our snowmobile had broken down.  Thanks to Jason Mowery, we were able to borrow an ATV and groom what we could for practice.  Conditions will be better next week.  Also, because of the icey snow, some of the grip tape was scraped off the skis.  Please check your grip tape (on the white and orange or white and blue combi skis).  If it has been worn off, you will need to get the skis into Bluedog for a new application.  You will need to do this on Thursday or Friday because Pete will be out of town Saturday - Monday.  If you can't make it in this week, your coach should have kick wax they can apply at next practice.

First Practice!

It's time to get your skis on!  We will have our first practice on Monday January 13th from 3:45 - 5:00pm.

Some logistics -
Please park in the back of the lot behind Believers Fellowship Church (this will be closest to the ski trail).  It would be great if the kids can arrive dressed and ready to go.  If anyone needs to go inside and change, we will be using the basement for that purpose.

Each week we will all meet as a big group at 3:50 for a group warm-up.  The warm-up area is behind the parking lot out in the driving range.  Follow the ski trail down a slight hill for about 50 yards; look for all the kids with skis on.  After the warm-up we will announce the groups and break out to ski with our instructors. We will be back at the church and head inside for a snack shortly before 5:00.

Parents of Polar Bears (the youngest group, typically 4-6 year-olds) should help them get their skis on and off.  You may want to walk them down to the the warm-up area the first time.  You are welcome to join your child for the entire practice.  Other parents - you may join us for the warm-up each week if you like. Sometimes there will be announcements about upcoming practices, etc (I will try to post that info on the blog, too).

And a few housekeeping notes -
Please be gracious guests at the church; try not to track snow and dirt inside.  Stay out of the sanctuary (the room with the pews) and office rooms.  There will be a snack provided at the end of each practice.

The snow looked pretty good on Friday.  Hopefully this thaw doesn't change things too much.
Thanks for joining our club... we're excited to meet you all on skis.

- The Coaches

Coaching Clinic & Grooming Clinic

Sunday January 12th; Coaching Clinic at 1:00, Grooming Clinic at 2:30

Meet at Believers Fellowship Church, park in back of lot, behind church.

Coaches - I dropped off the coaches manual and games booklets at Bluedog on January 2nd.  Hopefully you have had a chance to look through them.  I will bring any extra copies on Sunday, and also copies of the weekly lesson plans.  I will have the roster divided into groups and we can discuss and make any changes before the first practice.  Bring your classic ski gear and we can go over some of the drills and lessons, and any questions you have.  Veteran coaches don't need to attend; unless you want to discuss the roster.  I would like to have a different coach lead the group warm-up each week.  I'll go first.

Groomers - Bring some ear plugs and I'll bring the gas.  I hope to have some of the grooming done before we meet, but hopefully you can each get a little time on the sled.

Practice Cancelled

Too cold.  We will have our first practice on Monday January 13th.  See you then.

Arctic conditions predicted for Monday

NOAA is predicting a high of -16 on Monday.  I don't think it would be fun (or safe) to have practice in those conditions.  I will make a decision and update the blog on Sunday, but it is not likely that we will have practice on Monday January 6th.

Boone from Viroqua Parks Dept has been grooming the Golf Course, but only for skating so far (no tracks). I hope to get our snowmobile down there this weekend and start grooming the driving range.

I still plan to have the coaching and grooming clinics on Sunday... dress warmly.  Go Pack!

Still time to sign up (but hurry)!

We still have spots available this year.  Bluedog Cycles has the registration forms and can get you set up with rental gear.  They will be open Monday the 23rd and Tuesday the 24th until 3pm both days.  Please don't delay; I need to have the signed waivers sent in to CXC before your child can practice.

In case you missed the announcements at sign up night; we are excited to be having practice at Viroqua Hills Golf Course this year.  Believers Fellowship Church has kindly offered their space to us for changing.  They are located in the former Firehouse Restaurant.  The church is freshly re-modeled inside, and I want everyone to take extra care to treat their space with respect.

We also have some great new coaches.  Looking forward to an exciting fun ski season.