First Weekend Back!

What a great way to start the New Year and a welcome return to snow training for Gordon Skiers.
As always, it's brilliant to see the familiar faces back at training. What is really refreshing is being able to meet new club members and parents.

Well done to Molly, Fergus, Angus (apologies if I've gone for the wrong spelling) and Oliver on your successful trials today. I asked Molly what she wanted form skiing and her answer was brilliant. "I want to go racing" Go Molly!!

We saw it all today. Rain, Snow, Sun and Mist. We even managed to ski some powder. There's no challenge greater than skiing Scottish powder.

I was delighted to welcome one of ASC's strongest skiers to join the Gdn's Performance Squad today and also to have one of ASC's coaches joining in the fun too. Great to ski with you today Calum. I hope you enjoyed your day and took something away to work on.

Another new face today, was the welcome addition of Andrew Campbell to the winter coaching team. Andrew has been a member of Gdn Skiers for longer than I remember and has been coaching at Alford, regularly. He is one of 3 brothers and his youngest brother, Graeme, is still a trainee in Performance Squad 1. Middle brother Iain still appears at the odd race and helps out with coaching, whilst parents (Neil and Tessa) are part of Gordon Skiers DNA.

I managed to see most of the groups skiing today and all seemed to be having a great time.

I was asked about the difference between the development and the performance squads. A great question.

I guess an easy way to summarise is to look at the difference in the drills the squads perform. Today the performance squads were working on their balance skills on one ski, working up to doing 360 Deg spins on one ski, in each direction. Joining the spins up with short radius turns, all on one ski.
The Development Squads were working on similar skills, but with different drills. They were also working on balance, skiing variable terrain, with no poles and their hands behind their heads.

We're lucky to have a strong team of coaches, so please don't hesitate to question them on your child's performance or progression. We're all committed to ensuring the skiers have the best time they can, whilst improving their skills quickly and safely.

New Parents, Gordon Skiers is a club run by volunteers and we're always looking for a succession plan. Don't hesitate to ask questions of longer standing members. Ski racing is complicated and takes time to learn the pathways. The committee and coaches are here to support the club, so feel free to ask us for help.

See You All Soon, Gary W