Greetings NENSA Community ~
Lots of excitement for this coming weekend ~ On Saturday Jessie Diggins (!) will be racing at our Keys to the Castle, a freestyle sprint race at Mount Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid NY, along with fellow USST members Julia Kern, Katharine & Ben Ogden, and many elite team athletes from across the country.
On Sunday we will have the NENSA Free Fall Rollerski Race - a freestyle individual start race on the rollerski loop at the Ethan Allan Firing Range in Jericho VT.
On October 2nd & 3rd we are hosting our annual NENSA Coaches Symposium and TD & Event Organizer Training weekend. This Symposium will include both L200 & L100 Coach Certification with NENSA & U.S. Ski & Snowboard, Technical Delegate & Event Organizers training, BKL Leader Education as well as a fun evening of great Keynote speakers (with dinner offered outside first).
NENSA is thrilled to welcome the Stratton Mountain School (SMS) as our newest Supporting Sponsor! The SMS Nordic Program has combined sport science, a proven training program, and efficient workouts to boast one of the most successful Nordic programs in the country. SMS and NENSA have joined forces on many things over the years ~ from hosting our Coaches Symposiums, REG Camp, sharing coaches and wax techs at our Junior Nationals, and camp visits ~ we are so happy to have them officially joining on as one of our NENSA partners!
And there is LOTS more ~ here's what we have in store for you in this week's KickZone in the boxes below:
- NENSA's updated COVID protocols for 2021-22
- Hot off the press FasterSkier article on our NENSA Rollerski Programing
- NENSA's Rollerski Race Series September-November
- Register now for NENSA's Regional Coaching Clinic & USSS L100 (Sudbury, MA) 9/25
- Register now for NENSA's annual Coaches Symposium, TD & Event Organizer Training and BKL Leader Training in Lake Placid NY 10/2-10/3
- Survey participants needed: Fall high school student-athletes needed for graduate research project to enhance youth and student-athlete mental health programs
- Check out our new Health & Nutrition Resources Page HERE on www.NENSA.net
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From our Partners:
- Maine's Allagash Brewing Company named brewer of the year at national competition! And take home silver medals for two of their great beers including Allagash White (one of my personal favorites!) Congrats!
- Our SWIX BKL apparel program storefront is OPEN
Thank you to all our NENSA Sponsors ~ they are such a HUGE part of our NENSA programing continued success, and we so appreciate all their support. I want to be sure we all acknowledge the businesses who support us and cross country skiing!
Best,
Amie
Amie Witten Smith
Executive Director
New England Nordic Ski Association
Amie@nensa.net
GIVING: DONATE to NENSA today, and thank you!
MEMBERSHIP: RENEW or JOIN today, and thank you!
Please take a few minutes to do that and support the organization that supports XC skiing here in New England, and beyond! NENSA is here for you, running programing for you, our ski community ~ we need your support this year, more than ever!
Be sure to follow us on fb, Twitter and on Instagram @nensa_nordic
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NENSA News from the Field
Highlights and Notes from NENSA and the Nordic World
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NENSA's COVID Protocol UPDATES
for the 2021-22 Season
The NENSA staff, like many of you, were hopeful this spring when the vaccines became widely available that we would not still be in the midst of the global pandemic this coming season. But we are, and as the Delta variant continues to spread we need to pivot and adjust accordingly to be sure we continue to keep our community as safe as possible.
Here are our current recommendations and guidelines (subject to change as conditions warrant):
- NENSA is STRONGLY ENCOURAGING VACCINATIONS for all of our eligible ski community members.
- On all our SkiReg registrations we are asking if participants are vaccinated, or not, so we can get a sense of how many folks are vaccinated at our events and races. This is a mandatory question.
- If inside space is available at any NENSA event, we are requiring everyone wear masks when indoors.
- We also strongly encourage masking outdoors where physical distancing is not possible.
- Like last season, we will have an official COVID Controller at the entrance to each event asking folks whether they are currently experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, and turning them away if they are.
- We also ask that all potential event attendees use common sense before arriving at an event and do not show up at an event if you have ANY symptoms.
- For any of our NENSA events that require traveling with a team (and eating and staying in hotel rooms together) - such as the New England Junior National Team, U16 Champs, and EHSC - we will be requiring all athletes, coaches, and staff members to all be fully vaccinated, zero exceptions. If, for any reason, you are not vaccinated, then we ask you make your own travel, hotel, and meal accommodations, and only show up to the venue (masked) to race. We will also follow all current recommendation for masking at that time and will err on the side of caution.
- Practice best etiquette in your personal life and while traveling to and from events. Wear a mask in indoor public places, wash your hands often, social distance inside and outside, and be smart and safe so we can continue to put on great events for you all season while keeping you and our whole community as safe as possible!
More to come as the season progresses ~ thank you all!
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Hot off the press ~ FasterSkier article ~ NENSA Rollerski Series Gains Momentum: An Interview with Justin Beckwith
Click HERE to view our full calendar of NENSA events and for more information on each race and to register.
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NENSA Regional Coaching Clinic & USSS L100 (Sudbury, MA) September 25th
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This one-day clinic is open to anyone looking to improve their ski technique, and learn ways to teach others effectively. We will cover both classic and skate techniques. This clinic is part of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard (USSS) L100 certification process but you do not have to seek certification to participate.
The clinic is being co-led by U.S. Ski & Snowboard Coach Developers, Cate Brams and Kait Miller.
After the 3 hour technique clinic, coaches on the L100 track will take a short break and then dive into an hour of coaching demonstrations in small groups while the non certification-seeking participants will have the opportunity to learn about the rollerski ramps and get some fun instruction from Justin Beckwith.
NENSA membership information, including details about the free “Get Skiing” first time membership, HERE.
...click HERE for more info and the afternoon schedule
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THANK YOU TO OUR ASSOCIATE SPONSORS
L.L.Bean and SWIX & Salomon!
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Save the Dates! October 2nd & 3rd
NENSA Coaches Symposium and TD &
Event Organizers Training
Mt. Van Hoevenberg, Lake Placid, NY
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NENSA is excited to host our annual Coaches Symposium and Technical Delegate & Event Organizers Training at the newly renovated and totally redone Mt. Van Hoevenberg, NY venue. NENSA will be having one of our Eastern Cup and U.S. Ski & Snowboard Supertour weekends there in January of 2022, so it will be great to preview the new trails, the stadium and venue!
This Symposium will include both L200 & L100 Coach Certification, Technical Delegate & Event Organizers training, BKL Leader Education as well as a fun evening of great Keynote speakers (with dinner outside first).
To register for any parts of this weekend, please go to SkiReg.com
Please refer to the Event Notes within SkiReg.com for the weekend AGENDA and for any updates or changes:
**PLEASE NOTE** NENSA will be following both CDC recommendations (as well as state and local COVID guidelines). We will be REQUIRING mask wearing inside, no exceptions. This means all our Symposium participants must always wear a mask during all indoor classroom and evening presentations. Thank you in advance for your compliance. We want to keep our ski community safe, as well as be able to continue with our NENSA programing this year. Any questions or concerns can be directed to NENSA's Executive Director, Amie Smith at: Amie@nensa.net
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THANK YOU TO OUR NENSA CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS:
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Survey Participants Needed:
Fall High School Student-Athletes
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For those of you coaching high school fall athletes or who are currently a high school fall athlete:
Maile Sapp, a skier/Master's student in Counseling and Sport and Performance Psychology at Boston University is conducting a study for high school student-athletes. In an effort to enhance youth and student-athlete mental health programs, she's conducting a research study that looks into the academic/athletic balance during the pre- and post-competition periods for high school student-athletes doing fall sports. She's looking for more participants to answer a survey. Estimated time required is about 20 mins pre-season and 20 mins again post-season. If you think it could be cool to have your team participate and provide some input on stress/anxiety relative to academic and athletic factors, I know Maile would love to hear from you. You can reach her at msapp@bu.edu.
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THANK YOU TO OUR NENSA SUPPORTING SPONSORS:
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Maine's Allagash Brewing Company named brewer of the year at national competition ~
September 14
PORTLAND, Maine:
Allagash won the top honor for breweries that produce 15,000 to 100,000 barrels per year.
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Swix BKL Apparel Program:
(from our www.NENSA.net website)
Updated for the 2021-22 season: NENSA and long-time sponsor, Swix, are teaming up to offer the BKL Apparel program again this year! We’ve created this webpage to address your questions. Please take the time to read through ALL the below information before contacting Swix. We look forward to seeing you in Swix this winter!
Who is this program for?
This program is for current BKL NENSA Member Clubs.
When can we order?
For pre-holiday delivery, orders must be placed no later than November 1st, 2021 to account for logo turnaround time, shipping, and handling.
...click HERE for more info and how to place a team order
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Craftsbury Outdoor Center to host US Running Biathlon Nationals
September 24-26
Details and registration HERE
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Agamenticus Ski Club
Long Sands Beach Run
Sunday, October 24, 2021 (8:30 am start)
Join us for a unique 2-lap, 5k race run entirely on the hard packed sands of scenic Long Sands Beach in York, Maine. Feel free to race hard, run easy or walk the course and hopefully enjoy a beautiful fall morning in southern Maine.
Registration / More information:
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THANK YOU TO OUR NENSA OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS:
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Upcoming Events
A Look Ahead at the NENSA Calendar
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October 2-3: NENSA Coaches Symposium and TD & EO Training, Lake Placid NY (register on SkiReg.com)
Full NENSA.net Calendar Listing HERE
Link to our NENSA Equality & Diversity Policy HERE
Link to our Health & Nutrition Resources Page HERE
Link to our NENSA Inclusivity Resource List HERE
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If you already shop Amazon ~ please link to Amazon Smile
with NENSA as your beneficiary!
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Did you know that NENSA could benefit from the Amazon purchases you are already making??! Please link your Amazon account to Amazon SMILE (with /smile) and choose NENSA as your non-profit beneficiary! All the purchases everyone is already making, all add up, and we would love to be able to benefit from that! Thank you!!
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New England Nordic Ski Association (NENSA)
49 Pineland Drive, Suite 301A
New Gloucester, ME 04260
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