Hello U16,
Fitness Testing Recap
Thank you to everyone who helped make our fall fitness testing day a success. We tested over 120 athletes across the club, and it was great to see the U16 group bring such a positive attitude to the day.
Individual results will be sent to each athlete and family today. A few reminders as you look them over:
Testing is about learning. It gives each athlete a picture of their own strengths and the areas they can work on to become the best athlete they can be. It is not a competition, and scores are only shared with each athlete individually.
Hard work and a positive attitude in training are what make champions, not perfect test scores. Please try not to put too much weight on any single test.
With this many athletes, some errors are bound to creep in. In a few cases the ACA protocols were applied inconsistently, and in others we made mistakes recording the data, so some scores may not reflect what your athlete can really do.
How Fitness Points Work
The ACA Fitness Combine awards points for each test, and the tests are weighted by how much they matter to ski racing. For U16, there are 1400 points available across eight tests.
The two heaviest tests, the 20m beep test and the 90 second box jump, together make up almost half of the total (650 of 1400 points). That reflects what ski racing demands: a strong aerobic base to recover between runs and tolerate training volume, and the ability to repeat powerful, coordinated leg efforts under fatigue. Those are also the qualities that carry over directly to the hill, so consistent conditioning work is the best investment an athlete can make this fall. The other tests matter too, but they reward steady all-round training rather than anything athletes should single out.
Retests: For U16 athletes where a score could affect Canada Games or other qualifications, we will arrange a retest date. Current plan is early December, with exact timing depending on how many athletes need it. If your athlete feels a score was off and wants to redo one or two tests, let me know and I will add them to the list.
The Hex and standing long jump will be redone for all U16 athletes who are able. These can be done at Sun Peaks or the clubhouse as part of regular workouts.
Please send me any retest requests by Nov 10.
ATAP Update: Alpine Terrain Authorization Program
This season WMSC is rolling out the Alpine Terrain Authorization Program (ATAP), a structured way to build terrain awareness and decision-making skills in our athletes. Our athletes spend a lot of time in the mountains, and we want them to be safe, informed, and confident there.
What the racers will do: U16 athletes will complete a half-day on-hill session in early December. It is hands-on and built around the terrain and situations they actually encounter as ski racers. Topics include:
Alpine environments
Grouping - leading, buddy-up systems
Decision making & coach responsibilities
Terrain & harzard identification
Athlete responsibilities
What the coaches are learning: Coaches are going through their own ATAP training. Our staff will be completing the Stage 1 Terrain Safety Awareness course, and Stage 2, primarily on hill is scheduled. This gives every coach a common language, consistent protocols, and a shared standard for terrain decisions. We are also learning as we go, and we will use what we see this season to refine the program.
What this means for families: Nothing is needed from you right now. We will let you know when the session is scheduled, and I am happy to answer any questions about ATAP.
Our U16 team kicks off the winter with the annual Sun Peaks Pre-Season Camp, November 11-20. This email covers the schedule, travel, accommodation, meals and what to pack.
Actions Required
For Team Travel athletes, please reply to this email by Nov 7 with:
Your athlete's pick-up location: Whistler, Squamish or North Vancouver
Any food allergies or dietary restrictions we should know about
Camp Dates:
November 11: Travel Day
November 12-14: Slalom Training
November 16: Day Off - tbc
November 17-19: Giant Slalom Training
November 20: AM Training and Return to Whistler
Camp Overview
This is a technical training camp. The goal is to sharpen the fundamentals of ski racing and build a solid base before the race season starts. Over nine days the athletes will have daily on-snow training, team meetings, dryland and recovery sessions, ski tuning workshops, indoor education sessions and set homework time.
At U16 we also expect more ownership from the athletes. They will be setting their own goals for the camp, preparing their own equipment and taking an active role in the daily debriefs.
Transportation: Team Travel Athletes
Team Travel athletes ride together on the 24 passenger bus and WMSC Van. Please plan around these times and be at your pick-up location early. Times are placeholders until the coach is confirmed.
November 11: Departure Day
7:30 AM Meet at the WMSC Club Cabin, Whistler
8:00 AM Depart Whistler
8:45 AM Squamish pick-up: Squamish Adventure Centre, 38551 Loggers Lane, Squamish
9:45 AM North Vancouver pick-up: Real Canadian Superstore, 333 Seymour Blvd, North Vancouver
4:30 PM Arrive in Sun Peaks
November 20: Return Day
1:00 PM Depart Sun Peaks
6:00 PM North Vancouver drop-off: Real Canadian Superstore, 333 Seymour Blvd, North Vancouver
6:45 PM Squamish drop-off: Squamish Adventure Centre, 38551 Loggers Lane, Squamish
7:30 PM Arrive at the WMSC Club Cabin, Whistler
Travel times can change with traffic, road conditions and weather.
Skis go in the trailers secured with 3-4 ski straps inside your ski bags.
Athletes are responsible for their own meals and snacks while on the road. Dinner will be provided after arrival to Sun Peaks.
U16 Coaches in Charge
Drew Hetherington
Emelyn Rodgers
Sam Mulligan
Adam Usher
The coaching team handles day and night athlete supervision, training delivery, daily team meetings and overall camp operations.
Accommodation
Team Travel athletes stay at Cahilty Lodge in Sun Peaks, supervised by the coaching staff.
Meal Plan
Team Travel
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided each day through Ohana Café and their home-style meal plan. Please send a classic lunch case with water bottle and a thermos for hot soup or warm drinks, plus extra snacks.
Athletes will help collect, clean and dry plates, utensils, cups etc after dinner. A group of 2-4 will be selected to help each night.
Family Travel
Athletes arrive each day with a packed lunch, water and snacks for training. Families are responsible for all meals during the camp.
Daily Communication and Schedule
We will use the WhatsApp groups in the WMSC Community for athletes and parents at this camp. It will be our main channel for daily schedules, training updates, travel information, weather or operational changes and camp announcements.
The next day's schedule will be posted in the group each evening by 6:00 PM. We finalize it after the daily coaches' meeting, where lane space is coordinated with the other teams training at Sun Peaks. That meeting is usually at 4:00 PM.
Athlete Responsibilities
The coaches will guide, support and supervise the athletes on and off the snow. At U16, the athletes carry more of the load. We expect them to:
Wake themselves up each morning with an alarm and be on time for everything: warm-up, breakfast, meetings, training, dryland, recovery, ski tuning, education sessions and homework time
Look after their own gear: tune, dry and pack their equipment and keep their room and bag organized
Use the time given to do their homework
Bring a water bottle to every team event and meeting
Keep track of the daily schedule and arrive prepared
Help with various tasks when asked, such as dishes, sweeping the tuning room and carrying supplies
Managing time, following a schedule and owning daily routines is a big part of this camp and an important step in becoming a ski racer. Your help encouraging this at home is appreciated.
U16 Packing List
Please label all equipment. Athletes pack for nine days away and for a range of weather, so layering is strongly recommended.
Ski Equipment
1x SL skis
1x GS skis
Ski boots: fitted and worn several times before 1st on-snow day
SL poles with pole guards: guards are aligned and tightened
GS poles
Ski tuning tool bag: secured and lockable, no grocery bags!!
Skis travel secured with 3-4 ski straps
Required Protective Equipment
Hard ears helmet
SL helmet (if applicable)
Back protector
Mouth guard: recommended
Cut-proof layers: recommended
Slalom: shin guards, chin guard, pole guards, Allen key for the chin guard screws
Giant Slalom: arm guards
Daily Mountain Essentials
These go on the hill every day:
Racer bag
Gloves and/or mitts (2 pairs recommended)
Goggles with spare lenses, or a second pair of goggles for low light
Hand warmers
Water bottle
Snacks
Winter and Ski Clothing
WMSC uniform (ski jacket and long snow pants)
Rain jacket/poncho
Puffy jacket and/or insulation layer
Thermal base layers, top and bottom
Ski socks
Toque
Heating devices and their charging cords
Dryland Clothing
Running shoes: indoor and outdoor
Athletic clothing (shorts, leggings, jogging pants, hoodie)
Toques
Sunglasses
Athletic socks
Extra Clothing
Winter boots and outdoor shoes: not your newest whitest pair!
Comfortable clothes for evenings
Pajamas
Underwear
Extra socks
Recommended Extras
Alarm clock
Lip balm and sunscreen
Phone and electronics chargers
Homework and school materials
Reusable water bottle
Thermos for hot soup or warm drinks
Personal medication, if required
Toiletry kit
Headphones or earbuds for the bus ride
If you have any questions, please get in touch. We are looking forward to a great ten days of training and a strong start to the winter.
Thanks,
Drew H
U16 Lead Coach