What Makes A Nordic Skier
Posted by Dave Johnson on November 27th 2007 in Team Communication
What makes a nordic skier? This to me is a very interesting question. I have been a nordic ski coach since the ski season of 1990-1991. During my time as a high school coach I have had the honor and priviledge of working with hundreds of student athletes who have chosen nordic skiing as their winter sport. Some of these athletes have gone on to perform at the highest levels in the sport. Others competed only in high school and now just ski for fun. What are some common traits that I have noticed in the athletes who call themselves nordic skiers?
Intelligence: Nordic skiing is blessed with more than its fair share of intelligent athletes. Nordic skiers are excellent students who love to learn. School is important to them and they have a strong desire to do well. Commitment: Nordic skiers are committed to all of their responsibilities and obligations. They possess a strong desire to do the right thing at the right time for the right reasons. Internally Motivated: Nordic skiers are driven from the inside. Their desire to excel comes from someplace within their soul. The exhortation of a coach is nice for them to hear, but it is not what drives them on. They work hard because they want to. Appreciate Beauty: Nordic skiers are often outside in some of the worst weather. While many of their friends are scurrying inside they are heading outside into the elements. What do they find? Sunsets reflected on birches. Snow crystals suspended in the air. The brush marks of owl wings on fresh snow. Nordic skiers see the world around them because they are part of the world, they are not whizzing by the world encased in a glass and steel box. Believe in the Impossible: Nordic skiers work hard in the middle of summer, roller skiing, running, biking, all with the goal of being at their peak when the snow falls. Where is their guarantee that the snow will fall? There is none. Basketball players can count on the court being there, soccer players seldom go searching for a soccer pitch, and tennis players have indoor courts set at 72 degrees year round. For nordic skiers their is no such guarantee. They work hard with faith that what they wish for the most will come.
What have you noticed about nordic skiers? Share your thoughts on why you have chosen to call yourself a nordic skier. Post a comment.
November 29th, 2007 at 7:15 am
Dave, I have been involved with x-country skiing since I competed in the Minn State HS meet in 1952 at Chester Bowl. After coaching Nordic skiing for 35 years in HS, I still enjoy skiing and seeing former skiers at the races. Nordic skiing really is a lifetime sport.
November 29th, 2007 at 11:51 am
Hi Mr. Green:
What was the course like at Chester Bowl for the 1952 state meet? Did it go in the tunnel underneath Kenwood Avenue? Was there room to pass another skier in that tunnel? Any other memories of the course?
Dave
November 29th, 2007 at 7:36 pm
It was tough going. Our skis were wood, with leather bindings. It had melted earlier in the week and refrozen with black ice. The only wax we had was the parafin off the tops of canning jars. We noticed that a few of the Duluth skiers were putting on some sort of sticky stuff. It was unknown to us? No tunnel on the trail. The finish was under the jump and down the landing. Lots of crashes on the ice. Our jumpers from Grand Rapids had better results than the striders. Dick Green
November 30th, 2007 at 10:56 am
Dave, that was about it. Any ski trails we had were skied in not set. I remember one trail went under a barbwire fence that we had to crawl under. I also used skis on my trapline. When my own children first started skiing we thought it would be a sport that we could afford. Skis were around $30, poles $10 and boots $25. You could also get the white army surplus skis for $10 and cut them down. My daughter’s highest place at the state meet was 5th, team first. My son placed 4th, but by now they had better equipment. When I look at what it costs to outfit a skier, I think many would be discouraged. The HS ski loaner plan may help some however. Dick Green
December 5th, 2007 at 10:22 am
Good HS racers have an “I can do this” mentality that serves them well. Seeing them move from having to be shown how to put their hands into pole straps to being really self-reliant on race days is a treat for any coach.
December 21st, 2007 at 7:39 am
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