Post date: May 4, 2010 12:45:24 AM

I’m excited to announce this summer Rochester Nordic Racing is going to expand our program to offer ski specific summer training to beginner and novice J3-J1 athletes. This new program will be designated as our Prep Team and will mirror our already established Comp Team.

The Prep Team will prepare beginner and novice skiers for advancement to our Comp Team. The focus of the Prep team will be to introduce athletes to roller skiing, ski specific dry land training, and ski specific strength training. An emphasis will be placed on establishing confidence on roller skis using developmentally appropriate drills and workouts. Not only will athletes be working on improving there skiing but also there understanding of basic training philosophies and principles.

Program Descriptions:

Comp Team- Designed for J2-U23 ski racers competing at the regional and junior national level. The training focus includes endurance, ski specific strength, speed, agility, power, balance, mobility and flexibility. Technique will be an emphasis and will be an on-going project throughout the summer. Video analysis will be utilized to address specific skier’s needs. Athletes will also be educated on Training Intensities, Definitions and Workout Application. This program will provide a solid platform towards continued excellence at the high school and collegiate level.

Prep Team- Designed for J3-J1 athletes competing at the local level with little or no previous roller ski experience. The program will mirror that of the Comp Team in a developmentally appropriate setting. The goal of the Prep Team is to facilitate athlete’s transition to the Comp Team.

Both teams will meet on Mondays, Wednesday and select Saturdays starting on Wednesday June 2^nd and continuing through the month of August ending August 28^th.

For athletes who are interested in the program please contact me via e-mail or phone no later than Monday May 24^th to confirm your participation. Registration is due on or before Wednesday June 2^nd. You can mail your registration forms to me or bring them the first day of practice. I will have more information as we near closer to the start date for those athletes who will be involved. If you have any questions feel free to contact me as well.

As noted about the Prep team is designed for those athletes with little to no prior roller ski experience so don’t be afraid to come out and join us this summer.

For more information and registration forms please visit the website at

www.rochesternordicracing.com

In addition to the new programs we have also added a new coach to help out with the growing numbers! I’m excited to say that Mr. Roger Weston has come aboard for this summer. If the name sounds familiar it should! Roger has been involved in youth skiing for over 30 years!! He was the head coach Fairport High School for 25 years. He has two children one of which (Tim) was NY state Champion as well as a skier at Middlebury College and now a coach himself at Green Mountain Valley School. Roger was also the recipient of the USST Russell Wilder Award given to U.S. adult for working with youth skiers, and in 1985 was the USSA domestic coach of the year. He has coached at 5 NCAA Championships, 8 Senior Nationals, and has been on 15 Junior Olympic Trips. Roger has even coached current USST Nordic Director John Farra USST Team Head Coach Chris Grover and USST Team Coach Matt Whitcomb. To say that Roger has a lot of experience is an understatement! He brings years of knowledge and exsperiance to our program and I look forward to all that he is going to be able to do this summer!