Programs > J5, J4, J3

The Development Team

Western States Youth Ski Festival - Sun Valley, Idaho

J5 Updates

J3/J4 Updates

Volunteer Opportunities

J5/J4/J3

•For athletes ages 8-9 (J5), 10-11 (J4), and 12-13 (J3) as of January 1, 2010.

•Contact Development Team Head Coach, Kristen Westesen, or the individual group coaches below for more information.

J5 coach - Heidi Dwyer Makoutz (dwyermontana@gmail.com)

J4 coach - Kristen Westesen (bsf_nordic@yahoo.com)

J3 coach - Gro Lunde (groaaselunde@gmail.com)

Ski Season Training (September to March) 2009/2010

For more information about training, program fees, races, etc. please download the J5/J4/J3 Registration Form from the "Forms/Publications" link at left.

J3 and J4

Days of training: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (4:00 pm to 5:30 pm) Saturday (mid-morning).

Please see "Training Schedules" link at left for more up-to-date information.

J5

Days of training: Tuesday, Thursday (4:00 pm to 5:30 pm), Saturday (mid-morning).

Please see "Training Schedules" link at left for more up-to-date information.

2009-10 BSF Nordic J5 Team:

 

Will Bittner, parents: Pam & Mike Bittner

Eric Borgquist, parents: Carl & Jessica Borgquist

Gabi Detzi, parents: Laurie & Ed Detzi

Sean Feeley, parent: Todd Feeley

Felix Gerlach, parents: Andy & Sally Gerlach

Arthur Koster, parents: Mayela & Michael Koster

Mara Lynch, parents: Kathy & Chris Lynch

Hans Pessl, parents: Erich Pessl & Patricia Cosgrove

Rory Rasch, parents: Jeff Rasch & Jeanne Korn

Nina Stroock, parent: Betty Stroock

Hanni Wiegand, parents: Bruce & Maury Wiegand

 

2009-10 BSF Nordic J4 Team:

 

Hanne Andersen, parents: Paul & Laura Andersen

Marin Coletta, parents: Tiffany & David Coletta

Liam Diekmann, parents: Lisa & Alex Diekmann

Brooke Dunnagan, parents: Shawn & Tim Dunnagan

Taylor Evans, parents: Bob Evans & Robin Evans

Robert Kwapisz, parents: Jaroslaw & Agnieszka Kwapisz

Allie Lynch, parents: Chris & Kathy Lynch

Andrew Meyer, parents: Frank Meyer & Tamara Hampel

Weston Persons, parents: Brantley & Jacquie Persons

Meriel Prendergast, parents: Laura Ziemer

Kaitlyn Stevenson, parents: Lisa & Dan Stevenson

Kenenni Wiegand, parents: Maury & Bruce Wiegand

 

2009-10 BSF Nordic J3 Team:

 

Sam Bittner, parents: Pam & Mike Bittner

Alissa Braun, parents: Steve Braun, Noriko Braun & Wayne Gorski

Logan Diekmann, parents: Lisa & Alex Diekmann

Gabriel Gordon, parents: Becky Forbes & Lewis Gordon

Ethan Greene, parents: Debby & Josh Greene

Juliana Greene, parents: Debby & Josh Greene

Bjørk Villar Hagensen, parents: Grethe Hagensen & John Villar

Fritz Kalakay, parents: Betty & Tom Kalakay

Annalea Kamplain, parents: Joanne & Greg Kamplain

Monika Kwapisz, parents: Jaroslaw & Agnieszka Kwapisz

Michael Martell, parents: Richard & Mary Ann Martell

Nick Matelich, parents: Swithin McGrath & Ron Matelich

Uri Menalled, parents: Fabian Menalled & Irene Grimberg

Tyson Odden, parents: Jennifer & John Odden

Hayden Persons, parents: Brantley & Jacquie Persons

Fiona Shaw, parents: Colin & Christine Shaw

Christopher Sorenson, parents: Ann Sorenson & Lindsay Sorenson

Henry Westesen, parents: Kristen & Neil Westesen

 

What gear do I need?

Recommended clothing:
Nordic skiers should dress in layered clothing that can be removed if the need arises. Please remember that most clothing designed for alpine skiing is not appropriate for cross-country skiing as it restricts movement and causes the skier to overheat. It is very often colder and windier at Lindley Park than it is anywhere else in town. Even on a warm winter day, a hat, gloves, and a windproof jacket (fleece alone is not warm enough in the wind) are important especially when it starts to get dark earlier in the evening. When the time changes, a headlamp would be nice but is not necessary--coaches will have lamps. Remember to continue to bring water to practice. Even though it's no longer hot outside, keeping hydrated is still critical. Also remember to eat a snack between school and training. Cold temperatures lead to higher energy requirements for training and keeping warm.

Recommended equipment:
Once we start skiing, each participant must bring his/her own skis, boots, and poles to training. J5 and J4 skiers can get by with one pair of "combi" skis and boots and one set of poles. Skis should be wax-able. Keep in mind, that with combi skis you will have to clean the classic kick wax off the skis before your skier will be able to skate on them. For a rough estimate on combi gear sizing: ski length should be 1-3 inches longer than the child's height. Poles should reach from the ground to the top of the child's shoulder.

Some skiers, especially J3 and older, choose to have both classic and skate skis and poles, and combi boots. For skate and classic specific gear, it is best to use the manufacturer's size charts which correlate the skier's weight and height to ski length and stiffness. At the ski swap, BSF volunteers/coaches will be on hand with a flex-test board to help match your skier with the best skis available. Please take advantage of this opportunity--skis that are too stiff or too soft can make for a very frustrating skiing experience. When purchasing new equipment through a local retailer, they will provide similar testing. Ski poles for skate should reach between the skiers chin and "mustache area." Classic poles should reach between the armpit and the shoulder.

Ski Wax:
On classic days, please send your skier with a range of inexpensive kick waxes and a cork (local ski shops can recommend a few general kick waxes--blue, extra blue, purple, red--which can be kept in a baggie in your skier's bag), and their coach will help them put it on.

Where can you find equipment?
The BSF Ski Swap is a great place to start looking for equipment and clothing. BSF representatives/coaches will be available at the swap to consult with you if you have any questions while shopping there. New equipment may be purchased from Bangtail and Northern Lights, and should be ordered early to obtain BSF discounted prices. Check with retailers for details.

If you have any questions, please talk with your skier's coach. We are excited about the upcoming ski season and want your skier to have the best experience possible!

BSF NORDIC SKI PROGRAM GUIDELINES:

Guidelines for Coaches:

                
One of the goals of the Nordic ski program is to provide physical education and development of ski skills in safe and enjoyable environment.

• Do not baby sit
• Do not diagnose injury
• Dress as an athlete
• Be mature (children need a coach, not a playmate)
• Prepare appropriate training for the age group (not too easy or too hard)
• Be professional (do not discuss sexual, drug, alcohol or other preferences with skiers)
• Be on time and prepare for every practice, all season long
• Plan your activities and choose appropriate location
• Never leave your group unattended
• Report unacceptable behavior to Kristen or Dragan
• Do not talk too much
• Do not keep children too passive
• Communicate, cooperate, and plan some activities with other coaches
• Encourage children all the time to have water bottle
• Do not train when temperature is 13 F or less
• Use different ski technique (50%-50%)
• Do not suddenly need to miss a day
• Children should not get the idea that this is free time
• Children should wax their own skis
• Use all available terrain

Discipline Guidelines:

• Do not allow children to do or say anything that will harm others, themselves or program.
• Skiers should fallow coach’s directions at all times.
• Skiers are never to be left alone, anywhere, anytime.
• Do not ask children if they want to do any activity.
• Never physically touch a child unless absolutely necessary.

Discipline Procedure Checklist:

• Eliminate from practice, but keep a child in a group
• Give a timeout from favorite activity (free skiing, downhill skiing, free time)
• Contact parents
• Refer to Kristen, or Dragan
• Criticize action not person

Parent orientation from a theory & experience:

• Basic philosophy: your child wants to be in the program
• We provide instruction not the free time
• Safety: physical, mental, and emotional
• Children are yours (parents’)
• Coaches are BSF’s
• We (BSF coaches) provide the program
• Fun = enjoyment = everyone is involved in all activities (no special requirements or treatment for anyone)

In any behavioral issue, this procedure will be followed:

a) coach will handle it as professionally as possible
b) ”time-out” from favorite activities, notify parents
c) first time refer to Kristen
d) second time refer to Dragan.  Child will call parent to take him/her from the practice
e) to return to ski practice again, child & parent must establish a contact with program director regarding child’s behavior
f) after third warning child will be removed from the program

Injuries: Possible cause: wet gloves, or not wearing gloves, not wearing appropriate clothes. 

Minor injuries:  twisted ankle, sprained finger.

Practice will start no later than 4:00 pm and 10:10am

Pick up no later than 5:45 pm or 12:15 am

Group changes - possible in coordination with group coach, assistant head coach and program director.