The Jackrabbit Ski League
The Jackrabbit Ski League is the most successful program run by Cross Country Canada in terms of number of participants and geographic diversity. In 2005, 9,000 skiers were registered across Canada in more than 300 clubs. Since its inception in l980, the Jackrabbit Ski League has introduced over 125,000 Canadian children to cross country skiing. In Ontario, the jackrabbit program is organized by Cross Country Ontario and is offered in communities throughout Ontario. The Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club is part of the Northern Ontario District of Cross Country Ontario.
The Jackrabbit Program was named after the legendary ski pioneer, Hermann "Jackrabbit" Smith-Johannsen - a Norwegian immigrant who lived and skied to the tender age of 112. "Jackrabbit" attributed his long life partially to cross country skiing, a healthy outdoor life and always striving for his personal best. Many of our current Olympic stars, including Beckie Scott and Sarah Renner, got their start in their local Jackrabbit Programs.
Children seem to have an innate love of sliding. The longer and faster the better. It's no wonder that, given the opportunity, they take to cross country skiing almost as quickly as to riding a piece of cardboard down the nearest slope. Learn-to-ski and skill development programs designed for children and youth take advantage of that spirit of playfulness but also add the satisfactions of making friends, learning and achievement.
The Jackrabbit Ski League is a skill development program for children. The program objectives are for children to:
~ have fun
~ improve fitness, balance and coordination
~ develop classic and skating ski skills
~ make friends
~ participate in time trials and races as an introduction to competition (optional)
~ develop positive self-esteem
~ develop an awareness and appreciation of our natural environment
~ develop good technique and lifestyle habits early in life.
The Jackrabbit Ski Program runs from early January to Mid-March for 8-10 lessons depending on the weather (possible cancellation for cold days). Lessons are on Saturdays from 10:00 to 12:00 a.m. The children earn sticker and badge rewards and medals (for participation in time trials) which are received at our club banquet in early April.
Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club Program
The Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club offers a program which follows the guidelines as prescribed by both Cross Country Canada and Cross Country Ontario.
Bunnyrabbit (First Steps) - Ages 4 to 6
Young skiers accomplish ski skills through play and discovery in a positive and safe environment. The focus is on fun, while children develop gross motor skills such as balance, gliding and diagonal stride without poles. Play time on skis in addition to weekly sessions is encouraged. Upon graduation at age 5 or 6 (with one year as a bunnyrabbit) or age 5 (with two years as a bunnyrabbit) skiers receive a bunnyrabbit program booklet with stickers to highlight their achievements.
Jackrabbit (Skills Development) - Ages 6+
Skiers in this age range develop the three important aspects of cross-country skiing; technique, fitness and speed. Awards are presented based on these aspects in the form of stickers to be placed in the skiers jackrabbit program booklet which provides a record of their career as a jackrabbit. When received (after level 1) this booklet should be kept in a safe place at home for future use. The jackrabbit program consists of levels 1-5. At age 10, skiers will have developed skate and classic ski skills and will be ready to graduate to the third step of the Jackrabbit Ski League which is "Track Attack".
Track Attack (Skill Refinement) - Ages 10+
Track attack skiers are offered two options for participation from which they may choose:
Track Attack Challenge I - Ages 10+
Participants are skiers in this age range who have had some previous jackrabbit experience (1-4 years). The emphasis is on skill refinement, improvement in fitness level and having fun with friends. Track Attack Challenge I skiers may wish to participate in club time trials.
Track Attack Challenge II - Ages 10+
Participants are skiers that have mastered the basics through participation in the jackrabbit program (completed levels 1-5) and are ready to continue skiing recreationally in a positive, challenging environment. The emphasis is on personal achievement through weekly ski challenges, fitness and skill improvement, having fun with friends and continued involvement in cross-country skiing.
Junior Race Team - Ages 10-14
The objective of the Junior Race Team is to give young athletes between the ages of 10 and 14 their first taste of cross-country ski racing. It is an introductory racing program that bridges the gap between completing the jackrabbit levels and joining the Senior Race Team (minimum age - 14).
The "racing team" focus of this group will present young skiers with an opportunity to support one another as a team, while the competition element will provide motivation and reward for their hard work.
Optimal aerobic training begins with the onset of Peak Height Velocity (PHV), the major growth spurt during maturation. This “Training to Train” stage is therefore very important for developing aerobic capacity, which is especially critical for the sport of cross-country skiing. This means athletes at this stage of development will be doing a lot of skiing at low intensity!
Objectives of the Junior Race Team:
• To further develop all fundamental movement skills and general overall sports skills
• To build an aerobic base, develop speed and strength and further develop and consolidate sport specific skills
Goals include:
• Ensuring social and emotional considerations are addressed by placing an appropriate emphasis on team-building, group interaction and social activities
• Ensuring the training focus is tied to individual stage of maturation
Program:
• One session per week of dry land training in the fall to increase physical fitness. The program follows Cross Country Canada's A-B-C Development Model (Agility, Balance, Co-ordination).
• Two evening training sessions per week during the winter season.
• Saturday morning (Jack Rabbit lesson)
• Approximately 6 races throughout the season.
Our race schedule will focus around our clubs (3) time trial races. Other events may include a 5 km race in Petosky Michigan, the St. Joseph Island Maple Syrup Stampede, the Hiawatha Invitational and the Ontario Winter Games.
The club covers race entry fees, however, parents are responsible for all travel, food and accommodation costs. Parents must accompany their children or make arrangements to have their children travel with other parents.
Requirements:
Athletes should be strong, confident skiers (classic and skate technique) willing and wanting to work hard to improve their race times. They must have classic skis (waxable), skate skis, classic poles, and skate poles. They do not need to have separate boots, but must have a combi-boot that supports their ankles for skating.
