Newsflashes

The Aventure Rabbits program is for cross-country skiers:

• ages 9 to 13 (as of Dec. 31, 2009)
• who have completed Jackrabbit level 3, or equivalent level of ability (see Criteria of admissibility below)
• have a good fitness base (distances skied will often be in the 10km+ range)
• enjoy skiing distances and would like to start the ski season early
• discovering and enjoying the Gatineau Park.

The emphasis of the Adventure Rabbits program is on developing skills and endurance, enjoying outdoor activities, discovering Gatineau Park, and engaging in challenges.

Program Goal: To make children advanced level skiers, capable of handling any trail in the Gatineau Park.

This program will run once a week on Saturday mornings with some exceptions for special events. The season will begin with fall dryland training in October and continue with skiing till the end of March.

What is the difference between Adventure Rabbits and Jack Rabbits? The JR program is an 8 week on snow program for 6-12 year old children. AR is for 9-13 year old skiers and is a more extensive program starting in the Fall with dry land training and continuing through the winter. AR skiers will also ski longer distances than expected in JR. AR can either be a transition program from JR to RR or a program for skilled skiers who have completed their Jackrabbit levels and want to keep skiing in a non race environment.

What is the difference between Adventure Rabbits and Racing Rabbits? The RR program places more focus on fitness and intensity. RR sessions are held twice weekly (3 for Midgets) while AR sessions are held once per week with no emphasis on racing. The RR program includes an introduction to racing to young ones, with gradual emphasis on race participation as children get older.

Qualified volunteer coaches and experienced assistants will lead the groups during dryland and on-snow sessions. Skiers will be grouped and coached according to their abilities and interests.

Dryland training: Fall training will include a variety of activities including trail running, hiking, group games and fun exercise circuits. Some of these sessions will be run in conjunction with the Racing Rabbits.

Skiing: Children must expect to cover at least 5 km in an outing, depending on the weather and conditions. Both skating and classic techniques will be necessary. The on-snow program will offer a wide variety of skiing experiences, including technical sessions, skiing to cabins, exploring back country trails, and special sessions of biathlon, telemark, and others.

The program will engage skiers to meet challenges through group participation in events such as the Gatineau Loppet.

Family involvement: Chelsea Nordiq is a community-based ski club, and relies on volunteering to offer successful programs. The Adventure Rabbits program will require that each family makes in-kind (non monetary) contributions towards the program. Tasks will be presented to the community at the beginning of the program, and roles and responsibilities will be assigned and shared evenly by the community over the whole season.

Schedule

Sessions:

• Saturday, 09:15 to 11:15 am (dryland) starting in Saturday October 10th, 2009
• Saturday, 10:15 am to noon (snow) until March 27th, 2010

Location: Various locations in Gatineau Park.

Registration & Fees

Registration is now open in the Clubhouse.

Fees: $175 (covers registration to the program, insurance, and professional services). Additional contributions towards special event costs, such as hut overnight stays, event registration, travel, will be requested as needed. Events are listed in the activity schedule which will be posted in the Clubhouse.

Registration will be limited to a maximum of 48 participants (12 skiers per group).Priority will be assigned in the following order:

• Family(ies) in which one parent is the on-site coordinator
• Families in which one or more parents is coach
• Families in which one or more parents is assistant coach
• Date of registration

Please indicate in which level to register your child. If your child has not been part of the Jackrabbit program or if you are unsure, please indicate under "Notes" how long s/he has been skiing and provide a brief description of his or her skills to help us place your child in the right group.

Criteria of admissibility

It is important that all participants have reached a skill level equivalent to Level 3 in the Jack Rabbit program before joining Adventure Rabbits. Each child’s skill level will be assessed once the on-snow season starts to assess whether your child is able to follow the on-snow AR program, or whether an other program would be more appropriate.

Level 3 skill requirements: Diagonal stride, Kick-turn, Downhill tuck, Skate turn, Marathon skate, One-step double-poling, Double-poling, Diagonal skate, Herringbone turn, Free skate

Equipment & Clothing

Each skier must be equipped with proper skis, poles and boots for their weight and size and be appropriately dressed (multi-layers) for outdoor activities. It is recommended that participants have equipment for both classic and skate skiing. More information about appropriate equipment and clothing will be posted in the Clubhouse.

Coaches

The coaches are dedicated volunteer parents with coaching certification.

Language of instruction

Chelsea Nordiq Jackrabbits makes every effort to offer classes in both English and French, within the abilities and goodwill of the volunteer parents and coaches.

Meeting points

We will post weekly meeting places in the Clubhouse, as they will vary.

Program cancellation policy due to weather: If the expected temperature for 10:30 am (Saturday) is between -15 and –20°C (before wind chill), then the session will proceed at the coach’s discretion. Sessions will be cancelled below -20°C.

All sessions will be cancelled if the trail conditions are deemed too dangerous, e.g., due to freezing rain or poor snow conditions. Cancellation notices will be posted in the Clubhouse on the Jackrabbit Newsflash, and families will be contacted by phone or email.

For more information

Francois Dubrous	Coordinator
E-mail
Phone	819.827.5351
Richard Godwin	Communications
Phone	819.827.2947