​

MINI RACING RABBITS

2024/2025

Parent Meeting

​

Bring on the Snow!

Why are we meeting?

To talk about the transition to snow, equipment and discuss the racing season.

• Logistics
• Expectations
• Equipment & Wax

​

For this meeting:

Please ask questions in the chat

​

​

​

​

LOGISTICS: TRAINING SCHEDULE

​

NAKKERTRAK SEASON

• Wednesdays: 6:30pm-8pm, Nakkertok South
• Saturdays: Time 10:30-12:00 Nakkertok South (may vary based on amount of snow!)

​

ON-SNOW (full trail system open)

• Wednesdays: 6:30pm-8pm, Nakkertok South
• Saturdays: 9am-11am, Nakkertok South

​

• Aim for 50% each technique over the season
• Will depend on conditions, upcoming races, etc.
• No Practices during the Christmas Holidays - Dec 22, 25, 29

​

​

​

​

​

​

COMMUNICATION

• Website, emails, calendar, WhatsApp
• Wax calls, cancellations

​

• Ask questions (Cohort Coaches, Alex, Megan, other parents)

​

• We will do our best to provide information in a timely fashion…

​

​

​

LOGISTICS: TRAINING SCHEDULE

​

• Aim for 50% of each technique (Classic/Skate) over the season
• Technique choice will depend on conditions, upcoming races, etc.
• No official practices over holidays (Dec. 21*, 25, 28, January 1)
• *TBC based on coach availability
• Note that some weeks, we may not be able to train at Nakkertok due to races (e.g. Candy Cane Cup Dec 13-15)

​

​

​

​

​

• Aim for 50% each technique over the season
• Will depend on conditions, upcoming races, etc.
• No Practices during the Christmas Holidays - Dec 22, 25, 29

​

​

​

​

​

​

LOGISTICS: Nakkertrak

​

• Enter and exit as directed (through the tunnel)
• clean your boots!
• Only program athletes and coaches are permitted on Nakkertrak during designated program practice times
• Parents - go for a hike, a run, help with trails
• During other times - check the schedule and choose the appropriate timeslots (avoid reserved or high performance times)
• Everyone needs to book a pass (special code for Racers)

​

​

​

• Aim for 50% each technique over the season
• Will depend on conditions, upcoming races, etc.
• No Practices during the Christmas Holidays - Dec 22, 25, 29

​

​

​

​

​

​

LOGISTICS: Nakkertrak

• There will be a discount code for members (TBD)
• Discount code for Racing program athletes and coaches
• It's 100% off and works with both the season pass and the day pass.
• During restricted times age group skiers do not train during at time not reserved for them
• e.g. a U14 would not ski during mini or RR times

​

MINI RACE/EVENT SCHEDULE

​

• Training Day - Nakkertok South, Jan 11 (TBC)
• Coupe Skinouk (Classic/Skate - Relais Plein Air, Jan. 25/26
• Corktown Classic (Classic) - Wesley Clover Park, Feb. 9
• Cookie Race (Skate) - Nakkertok South, Feb. 22
• Chelsea Sprints (Kings Court Skate) - Camp Fortune, Mar 8
• Cookiebeiner (Team Tour) - Gatineau Park, Mar 15
• Thea's Race (Classic Partner Relay) - Nakkertok North, Apr 5 or 6

OTHER EVENTS - Optional / Parent Supported

​

• Dec 26 - BOXING DAY BURNOFF (Nakk South)
• Jan 26 - WEBER LOPPET (Nakk N to S)
• Feb 7-9 - CANADIAN SKI MARATHON (Montebello)
• Feb 14-16 - GATINEAU LOPPET (Gatineau)

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

EXPECTATIONS: TRAINING

• Be punctual and consistent (ready 5 mins before start)
• Be prepared (food, water, sleep, equipment)
• Indicate attendance in advance (Yes, No, TBD)
• Bring a positive attitude, respect for coaches, willingness to learn and take on challenges
• Let the coaches coach
• The car ride home…. What was fun? Communicate with coaches

​

​

​

​

​

​

EXPECTATIONS: RACES

Parents are expected to:

• Register athlete for race
• Help athletes arrive on time and prepared (fed, slept, with appropriate equipment)
• Follow instructions (re: bib pick-up, location of drop-off)
• Let the coaches coach
• Smile and cheer
• ‘Did you have fun?’ ‘I loved watching you!’ ‘You worked so hard!’ ‘I am very proud of you’
• Provide feedback to coaches

​

VOLUNTEERING COMMITMENT

VOLUNTEER POLICY GOALS

Requirement depends on age of your oldest athlete

• U10 - 3 days (1 day race support)
• U12 - 4 days (2 days race support)
• U14+ - 6 days (3 days race support)

• Equitable participation in volunteer roles
• Reliable support for our team
• Strong, vibrant, and knowledgeable racing community
• Maintain low program fees

WHAT CAN I DO?

Always have people to support you and help you learn.

• Minis Events (e.g. Training Day)
• Nakkertok or ENGNE race event support
• Become a race official
• Swag Ordering
• Graphic Design Work
• Trail work and/or Snowmaking
• Get involved with the Paranordic program
• Much, much more!

LOTS! - Don’t let inexperience hold you back!

• Cookie Race Organizing (U12/U10 event)
• Website - Flowchart, Opportunities Chart, Volunteer Preference Form, Calendar, Contact Information

Parent etiquette

REVIEW - REQUIREMENTS: CLOTHING

HANDS:

• Mitts, Hand warmers

​

BODY:

• Wicking-Warm-Wind

​

EXTRA:

• Extra warm layer

​

​

**Make sure everything is labelled!

​

​

​

REVIEW - REQUIREMENTS: EQUIPMENT

SKIS:

• Classic, Skate, Rock (optional)

​

POLES:

• Classic AND Skate - Appropriate height, straps adjusted

​

BOOTS:

• Combi

​

**Make sure your athlete can put on their own equipment

**Make sure everything is labelled!

​

​

​

WAX REQUIREMENTS

YOU WILL NEED:

• A person (or people!) at your house to wax skis
• An open mind:
• Acceptance - waxing is part of racing
• A willingness to learn - Find the zen of waxing
• A place to work
• A range of waxes (grip and glide)
• A range of equipment
• A mentor - Find your guru

​

​

WAX - The Basics

Glide Wax

3 Basic Types

​

• Rub on Hard Wax

​

• Liquid Wax

​

• Hot Wax

Rub on glide wax kit from Ulla

​

Nakkertok is a NO FLUORO facility - No Fluorinated Waxes

Grip Wax - Basics

Basic Grip Wax Kit

Base Binder for Hard Wax

Grip Wax - Lots of brands!

Nakkertok is a NO FLUORO facility - No Fluorinated Waxes

How to Get a grip in Ottawa - Klister

The Basic Aerosol Klister

​

-Easy to apply

-A bit less messy

​

How to Get a grip in Ottawa - Klister

Base Klister

Universal Klister

Ice Klister

(Blue in Swix)

Rode Multigrade

Heat Gun

Your Mini can help!

At a minimum - your Mini should know what wax they have on their skis each practice, particularly for grip wax

• Helps coaches make adjustments if necessary

​

Productive feedback can be helpful

​

“Thou shalt not curse thy wax technician”

​

QUESTIONS?