Ski Programs
Ski Programs: Learn to Ski Programs / Youth Programs / Kanata Racers / Para-Nordic Racers / Adult Programs / Coaching Corner
Kanata Nordic has adopted Cross Country Canada’s modern, state-of-the-art skill development program for children. The program is comprised of three levels or stages: Bunnyrabbit, Jackrabbit and Track Attack. The overall objective of the program is to assist children in the development of a love of the outdoors, a healthy lifestyle, excellent technical skills and a good level of physical fitness within a sport environment.
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The first level is the Bunnyrabbit Program, which is directed at children in the “Active Start” stage of the development (children five years of age and younger).
The Jackrabbit Program, which is directed at skiers in the “FUNdamentals” stage of development (children six to nine years of age) is the second level of the new program. There are four levels within the Jackrabbit Program, which typically take 4-5 years to complete. For those coming to xc skiing at an older age (9‐12), Dyna-rabbits, part of the Jackrabbit program, is the perfect entry. It introduces skiing in both techniques so these youth can leapfrog into the level of their peers within a season or two.
The Track Attack Program, which is designed at skiers in the “Learning to Train” stage of development (skiers ten to twelve years of age) is the third level.
These are the first three stages of Sport Canada’s eight-stage Long Term Athlete Development model (LTAD). Read this excellent brief overview of the LTAD framework as it applies to cross country skiing. For more information go to the Cross Country Canada web site. Visit the Canadian Sport for Life web site for information on the importance of sport for all ages and stages.
Our learn to ski programs support the four goals of the Canadian Sport Policy:
- Enhanced participation
- Enhanced excellence
- Enhanced capacity, and
- Enhanced interaction.
Through our ski programs and other club activities Kanata Nordic joins Sport Canada in promoting a healthy, physically literate nation whose citizens participate in lifelong physical activity.
Kanata Nordic programs are subject to the will of Mother Nature. We generally follow Cross Country Canada’s guidelines in terms of program cancellation. This means programs will be cancelled if conditions are unsafe (for example, very icy) or temperatures are below acceptable limits. We attempt to reschedule cancelled events but this is at the discretion of group leaders and subject to their availability. In addition, during the 2010-2011 season there may be construction at the Y Bonnenfant Outdoor Centre that, for safety reasons, will result in the relocation of some programs to other suitable venues. The Club will attempt to give its members as much notice as possible for program changes caused by weather or construction and we thank you for your understanding.
