As we head into February, cross country ski programs are in full swing at clubs across the country. Just about every ski program has a competitive component, and that means you can find the provincial and national competition calendar chock full of race events for all ages. In the last month I have been involved with coaching my youth group at two different competitions. The question often posed is “How do we successfully introduce young skiers to competition?”

Now, I’m not an expert in child development. I’m just a dad who became a coach, and I have formed my own perspective on introducing kids to competition. My opinion is a result of 25 plus years in the sport. It was influenced by other competitive sports I played, the views of my parents, the coaches I had along the way, and the mentoring I received on my cross country ski journey. No doubt I’ve had other influences, but the ones I listed are at the core of how I feel about this topic. As the reader, you will have your opinions. They may be quite different than mine, or they may be similar.

I grew up in a small prairie town where winter activities were centered around the ice rink. From the age of five and into my late teens, I skated, played hockey, or watched hockey just about every day of the week during the winter. Minor hockey was practices followed by games against teams from other towns. This culminated in the playoffs for the league championship.

The high school sports I played were mainly football, volleyball, and soccer. They were set up the same way as hockey. For individual sports, I was a sprinter, and long jumper in track and field. We practiced, trained, and went to the track and field meets at our school and in the district. If you won, you moved up to the next level. If you lost you went home and practiced some more. In every sport I played, I was introduced to competition. It was just part of the program.

In track and field I placed top three on occasion, and some of my sports teams did alright. However, what I remember the most were the team trips. A & W drive ins were a treat, and one of the highlights was stopping at the drive through on the way home for a root beer, burger and fries. I know, real athlete building material it was not. My point is this. It was part of the fun and the experience. The drive in, the school bus trips, car pooling, and other things. The competition itself was mixed in there somewhere, and became almost secondary.

It is the same in cross country skiing. We practice, practice, and practice some more to learn ski skills. Next, we test ourselves in a race or competition. Now competition can take many forms from informal to formal. On the informal end we have skills challenges and team relays against peers or individual time trials where you measure how you do against your previous time. These are all at your club level. We progress to regional, and provincial races against skiers from other clubs and even provinces.

My first experiences with introducing kids to competition, was in cross country skiing as a young coach. Our team would go to the regional races against neighbouring clubs, and to the provincial BC Cup Series races. My club, the 100 Mile Nordics, was in a central location in BC, and we often hosted a weekend of racing. It was at these events, where we didn’t have to travel, that practically every child went in the race. It was part of our program, the BC Rabbitt Program.

I believe in introducing children to competition, to racing, in a fun filled environment. The sense of “team” plays a huge part. Things like car pooling to the race event with team mates, team meals and meetings at the hotel, the pre-race jog in the morning, and the race itself. Sometimes the highlight was throwing snowballs at the other team after the race or making new friends from amongst them. Oops, I almost forgot the pool. We always tried to book a hotel with a pool or have one close by. When asked what the best part of the weekend was, many kids said “the pool!”

I recently asked my daughters, who are now in their late 20’s early 30’s, what they enjoyed the most about the cross country ski races they went to as young skiers. My oldest daughter, Layah, said racing and seeing everyone. For her it was the entire race experience. There was the challenge of the race, but also the social aspect which included team mates, friendships she had made with skiers from other clubs, and as I said before, throwing snowballs at the boys on the other team. My youngest daughter, Emily, said it in one word, “Winning”. She was a good skier and enjoyed testing herself against her peers, and winning that medal. She was also in there throwing snowballs.

Two weeks ago I had the pleasure to coach our Track Attack group (ages 8 to 12) a the BC Track Attack Championships. Most of the kids had raced before, but for some this was their first ski season going to races. It was a time for coaching and teaching what to do at a ski race. It was satisfying to see them grow stronger bonds with each other as a team, to congratulate and support each other, and other skiers, to learn about racing, and to just have fun.

I took a quick straw pole of my Track Attack skiers at our next practice and asked, “What did you enjoy most about the Track Attack Championships?” Their answers were: the entire experience, the pool, and the race itself. I asked if anyone had met someone from another club, and one of our skiers put up her hand. I had seen her talking animatedly with a girl from a different ski club while sitting in the day lodge. It brought back memories of the friendships my daughters had made with other skiers years ago.

I hear this comment from parents so often, “My child is just not competitive.” Maybe the word race or competition scares people away. Perhaps their perception is of high level athletic events or is influenced their own past experiences. Maybe, as coaches, we need to do a better job explaining it, and having a good, solid plan to present. I feel children can learn so much from taking part in ski races, time trials, and testing their skills. It should be about the experience, and having fun with it.

In addition, I believe racing teaches our young people many life skills. Things that will serve them well in other areas of life. Responsibility is one thing. We expect them to be responsible for having their ski clothing and gear with them. “It’s not Mom and Dad’s responsibility. It’s yours.” They learn about organization (where are my classic poles?), planning (pre-race warm ups and after race cool downs) as well as nutrition and hydration (what to eat and drink). Also, how to handle success, to be a gracious winner, and lessons to learn when you don’t do as well as you expect.

Setting goals is a big part of this learning. There are only three medals so don’t focus on the “win” in that respect. Let’s set goals for personal achievements, such as “I’m going to skate up every hill on the course.” When they do it, let’s celebrate it. If they win a medal, that is a bonus.

Lastly, we need to teach our young skiers how to be grateful. Grateful that they are healthy enough to ski, to ski with their friends, to have the means to participate in the sport, and for the many volunteers and coaches that make race events happen.

We all learn from other people’s perspectives so I invite your comments.

Ski You at the Races

Roy, the XC Ski Guy