Nordic Rocks – growing youth skiing through fun
CROSS COUNTRY SKIING
BY MIKE MCFADZEN
Talk about a great program that’s wonderful for kids and the future of cross-country skiing – Nordic Rocks nails it. Thousands of kids from across the Midwest are benefiting from this kindergarten through eighth-grade program where cross country skiing is taught through schools. Nordic Rocks, now in its fifth year, started as a four-school pilot program in 2013 and has grown to 140 schools with more than 18,000 youth trying cross country skiing. Over 50 percent are doing cross country for the very first time. Since the program’s inception, over 5,000 pairs of skis have made their way to children.
Nordic Rocks is a partnership between schools, Central Cross Country (CXC) and community organizations. The program allows teachers to teach skiing during physical education classes, recess and after-school programs. The course typically runs four to eight days, starting with indoor instruction, then moving outside for on-snow fun. CXC assists each Nordic Rocks school with an easy-to-follow skiing curriculum, teaching support and cross country skiing equipment. All kids that complete the course get a Nordic Rocks challenge certificate signed by Olympic Star Jessie Diggins.
According to Community Olympic Development director Bruce Manske, approximately 25 percent of first-time Nordic Rock attendees end up joining a local program to continue cross country skiing. I caught up with Manske, who had just returned from a nine-day Nordic Rocks road trip in which he visited 24 schools and clubs talking with teachers, principals and club leaders.
“It brings smiles to kids when they get on skis and feel the sense of gliding across the snow,” said Manske, who also assists with running CXC’s regional camps and junior development program. “It’s important to connect the school-based programs with local resources like parks, ski clubs and ski shops, and you have to have fun. I tell the kids it’s slide, glide and play!”
You can’t help getting excited about the future of cross country skiing when talking with Manske.
Simple Equipment Makes it Happen
One of the keys to success is skiable equipment, Manske explained. “Physical education teachers needed something quick and easy to get these kids on skis. Nordic Rocks developed a strappable binding (now in its sixth version) which fits over shoes and boots and is tightened up like a snowshoe binding.”
The program uses 110-120 centimeter waxless skis and adjustable poles.
Nordic Rocks is expanding further by adding Nordic Rocks for Parks and Clubs. Manske has rolled out these programs to several Minnesota and Wisconsin ski clubs and parks. The program differs from the school-based program as kids generally grab skis and start tooling around without much instruction.
The idea for a school-based program came from the late John Hugus, an avid skier and member of the Knicker Nordic Ski Club in Wausau. Hugus worked with the Wausau School District to introduce students to cross country skiing in physical education classes. Hugus solicited the help of CXC Executive Director Yuriy Gusev to facilitate the program. A successful pilot program began in Madison, Wisconsin, and spread throughout the Midwest and beyond.
Nordic Rocks is funded by CXC along with support from the National Winter Sports Educational Foundation, American Birkebeiner Ski Educational Foundation and other local organizations and individuals. Does your local school do Nordic Rocks? CXC continues to look for partners and contributors. Become a Nordic Rocks supporter or request your school be a Nordic Rocks member at cxcskiing.org/membership#Supporter.
CXC receives national award
CXC was recently honored by the U.S. Ski and Snowboard organization for its work to introduce youth to the healthful outdoor sport of cross country skiing. CXC’s Nordic Rocks for schools program received the U.S. Ski and Snowboard’s prestigious Russell Wilder Award, which is presented annually to recognize the most outstanding effort in America in focusing the interest of youth on skiing. CXC became the 60th individual or organization to receive the Wilder Award, which dates back to 1955.
About CXC
CXC is recognized by U.S. Ski and Snowboard as the regional organization governing cross country skiing in the 10-state central region of the United States, by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) as a Community Olympic Development Program and by the U.S. Paralympics as a Paralympic Sport Club. CXC oversees youth programs, manages an adaptive program for individuals with physical disabilities and visual impairments, trains Olympic-caliber athletes and is the Midwest pipeline to the U.S. Ski Team and the U.S. Adaptive Ski Team.