Youth Programs
2024-2025 Program information (for youth ages 11-16)
Teen Skate is our recreational skate-only youth program. The emphasis is on a fun, social environment with the opportunity to develop skate ski skills, physical literacy (agility, balance, coordination), and speed. Teen Skate follows Cross Country Canada’s ‘Learn to Train’ level of athlete development, which is the third level after Bunnyrabbits and Jackrabbits or DynaRabbits. It’s designed for Kanata Nordic members ages 11-16 (YOB 2013 – 2008) who’ve completed Jackrabbit Level 4 or have equivalent experience.
Registration for 2024-25 opens in early September for returning members and one week later for new members. Enrolment in programs requires a club membership.
Registration not yet openTeen Skate (11-16 yrs) Program Information for 2024-25
The TEEN SKATE PROGRAM focuses on a combination of participatory and competitive elements. The lessons combine technique work, touring and fitness activities.
Teen Skate 1*
TS1 is for youth skiers aged 11-16** (YOB 2013 – 2008) who are new to the skate ski technique, who need additional time to practice and reinforce the basic technical elements, or who prefer to ski at a slower pace. Lessons combine the teaching and practicing of the fundamentals of skate skiing (Offset, Diagonal skate, Free skate, double poling techniques, hill techniques) along with a 3-5 km trail ski. Starting the season already with some aerobic conditioning (eg taking part in the Fall dryland hikes) will help students to maximize learning and applying the techniques of skate skiing. Lessons will be Sunday mornings.
Teen Skate 2*
TS2 is for skiers aged 11-16** (YOB 2013 – 2008) who are skate skiing at an intermediate level. Lessons combine the teaching and practicing of skate techniques (Offset, Diagonal skate, Free skate, One skate, double poling, hill techniques) along with a 5-7 km trail tour. Lessons will be Sunday mornings. A good level of aerobic fitness is expected for this class.
Several of the TS2 Sunday classes are conducted in Gatineau Park. A pass is required for skiers aged 13 and over. Day passes, Family passes and Season passes are available. Information can be found at Gatineau Park winter pass
* Occasionally, at the discretion of the instructors, a student may be moved to a different class to better accommodate his/her/their skill level. Please register in the class that suits the skill level.
** Age range for registration is 11 – 16 (YOB 2013 – 2008). If you have any questions, please contact KNteenski@gmail.com before registering or returning to Teen Skate programs next season.
What’s Included
Registration includes Sunday Fall hikes (AM) and 2 on-snow ski lessons per week; Sunday morning and Wednesday evenings, once ski season starts. Teen Skate instruction is exclusively in the skate technique and participants are required to have skis, boots and poles specifically for skate skiing.
Fall training begins in November with Sunday morning hikes, ranging from 5-10 km over varied terrain. Energetic parents and siblings are welcome to join us.
Winter training takes place on Sundays, mainly on the trail network starting from the Kanata Nordic Cabin at Wesley Clover Parks (411 Corkstown Rd.) or from the Kanata Nordic Cabin at the Wesley Clover Park Equestrian Centre (401 Corkstown Rd.). Teen Skate 2 will have several lessons in Gatineau Park.
Weekly winter evening training sessions, designed to focus on technique improvement, are held at WCP on Wednesdays (beginning in January 8, from 7:00pm to 8:00pm.)
Program Dates and Cost
Fall Hikes:
Sundays 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, beginning Sunday November 3, 2024
These sessions are for youth registered in Teen Skate 1, Teen Skate 2 .
Energetic parents and siblings are welcome to join us.
Ski lessons:
Teen Skate 1: Skiing Sundays (beginning January 5, 2025) 10 am – 11:30 am
Equipment: TS1 participants are required to have skis, boots and poles designed specifically for skate skiing.
Teen Skate 2: Skiing Sundays (beginning January 5, 2025) 10 am – 11:30 am
Equipment: TS2 Participants are required to have skis, boots and poles designed specifically for skate skiing.
Combined class (for TS 1 & TS2): Wednesday evenings (beginning January 8, 2025) 7 pm – 8 pm
Program Price: $200.00
If you have any questions please contact Heather Boswell, Teen Skate Coordinator.