Tag: canada

Categories
Para-Snowboarding

CADS Festival Celebrates Adaptive Snowboarding

Dozens of adaptive snowboarders and skiers recently came together for the CADS Festival at Sun Peaks, BC!

The 5-day event focused on specialized on-snow instruction and coaching, while equally serving as a platform for participants to meet other members of the adaptive snowsports community. Activities also included a chance to ride with members of the Canada Snowboard (CS) Para-snowboard team.

“I think the CADS Festival is hugely important in order to connect Canada Snowboard with athletes, primarily because it gathers so many para disciplines in one place,” said CS NextGen Para Team member Dan Shoemaker. “The CS Para Program is still fairly new, and the CADS Festival helps us raise awareness of it and recruit potential new individuals to be part of our programs.”

Previous editions of the CADS Festival had focused only on skiing, with modules and instruction for sit-skiing, 3 and 4 track skiing, and skiing for athletes with cognitive impairments. Christian Hrab, Executive Director of Canadian Adaptive Snowsports (CADS), commented on how the recent inclusion of snowboarding represents an important addition to the CADS Festival.

“The adaptive snowsports family is now complete,” said Hrab. “Coaches and instructors connected to talk shop, and participants had a chance to exchange experiences. The CS Para Team athletes were gracious with their time and guidance to all festival participants. Everyone, including skiers, sit skiers and snowboarders, enjoyed the perfect snowcross track built perfectly built by Sun Peaks Resort.”

Special thanks to Carole Stubins for capturing the best moments of this year’s CADS Festival.

To learn more about the Canada Snowboard Para-snowboard Program, please visit canadasnowboard.ca/en/programs/parasnowboard.

photo: Eric Escaravage

Categories
2017 Banked Slalom Events

Beaver Valley Banked Slalom, Canada

Building on four successful years as one of Canada’s largest annual snowboard gatherings, the 2017 edition of the Beaver Valley Banked Slalom promises to be the best yet!

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While it may be one of the leading North American stops on the World Banked Slalom Tour, the Beaver Valley Banked Slalom is a laid back, super cool contest that celebrates snowboard culture like few others while raising thousands of dollars for Leukemia Research in memory of Beaver Valley snowboarder Jackie Snarr. 

The Beaver Valley Banked Slalom is truly one of the only events in Canada where you will find shred “legends” from park, pipe, boardercross and race riding together and alongside the best “groms” and industry icons. 

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Where a shred legend will kick your ass riding a 20 year old retro board. And where staff from your local shop compete against staff from your local park. 

Where the rider drinking a “Mad Jack” beer next to you on the deck at the afternoon apres might be the Team Manager of one of the biggest companies in snowboarding. Where kids compete against their dads and moms. Where the “ski” racks at the base lodge are 100% filled with snowboards!

Where there are more people riding Beaver Valley’s awesome park runs than it’s groomed trails. Where the afternoon bbq, beers and bands are more important than the awards ceremony!

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You can expect something new and cool every year at the Beaver Valley Banked Slalom.This year look for a fun Hip Jump session, Burton Riglet Park for the mini-shreds, Carve of Day contest, Puddle Jump and Jibs galore in the Park! Live bands on the snow featuring the “Foremast Jacks”!

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There are tons of charity prize draws supported by the leading brands in snowboarding including Capita, Union, Vans, 686, Arbor, Burton, Ride, K2, Zeal, Dragon, VZ, ThirtyTwo, Beaver Wax and more! Plus special accolades for the top shop and industry rep riders courtesy of “Union Bindings”. And coveted jugs of Beaver Valley maple syrup for all podium winners sponsored by “Kawartha Metals”! No wonder the Beaver Valley Banked Slalom sells out every year with 250 riders!

Register online now at www.beavervalley.ca before it’s too late! Don’t miss this chance to shred spring snow at one of Ontario’s best parks and biggest Banked Slalom! 
The Beaver Valley Banked Slalom is a freeride (soft boots only) event with categories for all ages. Entry is open to riders on a first come basis. The best of two runs counts.< Stayed tuned for event updates @beavervalley.snowparks on Instagram. 

For media inquiries please email: events@beavervalley.ca 

Beaver Valley – “Where Adventure Lives!” – is one of Ontario, Canada’s premier family-based snowboard and ski clubs featuring the most diverse terrain in the region including extensive snow parks, legendary steeps and moguls; back bowls; terrain-based learning areas; progressive programs for snowboard, freestyle ski and race; a wide variety of winter recreational activities; and award-winning food and après!

Categories
News

Canada Snowboard announces new Director of Sport and High Performance

Canada Snowboard is proud to announce the appointment of our new Sport and High Performance Director, Mr. Jean-François Rapatel. Jean-François, known to many as ‘JF’, previously worked for Alpine Canada, where he served as the organization’s Director, Coach and Athlete Development (2010-2013) and as High Performance Director for Para-Alpine (2005-2010). In his Para-Alpine role, he helped develop a world-class program where the team won 13 of Canada’s 19 medals during the 2010 Vancouver Paralympic Games.

In anticipation of the new role, JF commented: “I have a real passion for high performance sport and the pursuit of excellence and this represents a great opportunity for me to contribute to Canada Snowboard’s future success. I truly look forward to working with the athletes, coaches, staff and our high performance partners in helping each discipline continue to improve while we prepare for the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond.”

Canada Snowboard’s Executive Director Patrick Jarvis is enthusiastic about the skill-set JF brings to the role : “JF possesses a number of great personal qualities, bolstered by tremendous front-line experience with sport excellence, but perhaps what I’m the most keen about is his demonstrated leadership capability within high performance sport. His track record of generating success within sport programs, built upon stellar planning and implementation, bodes well for the future of competitive snowboarding in Canada.”

“On behalf of the board of directors, we would like to welcome Jean-François to the Canada Snowboard team. Along with the support of our dedicated high performance staff, coaches and trainers, we look forward to a unified vision and strong strategic focus to support our athletes” added Matt Houghton, Canada Snowboard’s Chairperson.

Fully bilingual, JF holds an M.A, Human Kinetics from the University of Ottawa as well as a B.Sc, Physical Education (kinesiology) from the University of Montreal. Currently a Paralympic High Performance Athlete Development Advisor, a role which is a partnership between the Canadian Paralympic Committee and the Canadian Sport Institute Pacific, JF will assume the responsibilities of his new role on February 11th.

More info www.CanadaSnowboard.ca

Categories
2016 Features

2016 Beaver Valley Banked Slalom!

Building on three successful years as one of Canada’s largest annual snowboard gatherings, the 2016 edition of the Beaver Valley Banked Slalom promises to be the best yet with 250 riders competing for bragging rights and a shot at an entry to the Mt Baker Legendary Banked Slalom.

Beaver_Valley_Banked_Slalom_logo_lo

While it may be one of the only Canadian stops on the World Banked Slalom Tour, the Beaver Valley Banked Slalom is a laid back, super cool contest that celebrates snowboard culture like few others. And it raises thousands of dollars for Leukemia Research in memory of Beaver Valley snowboarder Jackie Snarr.

The Beaver Valley Banked Slalom is truly one of the only events in Canada where you will find shred “legends” from park, pipe, boardercross and race riding together and alongside the best “groms” and industry icons. And where staff from your local shop compete against staff from your local park.

Beaver_Valley_Banked_Slalom.1_sj_lo copy

Where a shred legend will kick your ass riding a 20 year old retro board. Where the rider drinking a PBR beer next to you on the deck at the afternoon apres might be the marketing director of one of the biggest companies in snowboarding. Where kids compete against their dads and moms. Where the “ski” racks at the base lodge are filled 100% with snowboards!

Where everyone is there NOT to win cash but to have fun riding with their friends and fellow shreds. Where there are more people riding Beaver Valley’s awesome park runs than it’s groomed trails. Where the afternoon deck party with bbq, beers and live bands is more important than the awards ceremony!

You can expect something new and cool every year at the Beaver Valley Banked Slalom from rails in the finish corral to a skateboard mini-ramp on the deck to a mini-shred park for the kids to retro rider awards and awesome punk bands. And there are mini-jugs of local Beaver Valley maple syrup for everyone. And special accolades for the top industry riders. And tons of charity prize draws supported by the leading brands in snowboarding.

No wonder the Beaver Valley Banked Slalom sells out every year!

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For more info or to register in advance visit: www.beavervalley.ca.
For media inquiries contact: kim.giffen@beavervalley.ca or ridenow@bell.net.

Click here to check out the 2015 Beaver Valley Banked Slalom, including video, photos and results.

The Beaver Valley Banked Slalom is a freeride (soft boots only) event with categories for all ages. Entry is open to all riders on a first come basis. The best of two runs counts.

Beaver Valley – “Where Adventure Lives!” – is one of Ontario, Canada’s premier family-based snowboard and ski clubs featuring the most diverse terrain in the region including extensive snow parks, legendary steeps and moguls; back bowls; terrain-based learning areas; progressive programs for snowboard, freestyle ski and race; a wide variety of winter recreational activities; and award-winning food and après!

Categories
Events Features

Ontario and Quebec to host Canada Snowboard National Championships

Canada Snowboard is proud to announce the dates and host provinces of its 2016 Canadian National Championships. Canada’s top snowboarders of all disciplines will be treated to top-quality venues and experienced organizers at both events.

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Freestyle Nationals will take place in Ontario at Mount St Louis Moonstone and Horseshoe Resort. Snowboard Ontario has worked in collaboration with Canada Snowboard to bring the Championships back to the eastern part of the country after 3 years out west.

«Snowboard Ontario is excited to be hosting the Air Nation National championships in Ontario in 2016. As the official host, Snowboard Ontario is committed to ensuring top-notch venues and a great experience for all the competitors» said Jeff Koven, VP Snowboard Ontario

The 2016 event will showcase the junior and open categories over seven consecutive days of training and competitions. Athletes will have the opportunity to compete on the Slopestyle course, Halfipipe and for the first time in Canadian nationals history, Big Air will be added to the equation. These competitions are organized by Snowboard Ontario and sanctioned by Canada Snowboard, FIS and the World Snowboard Tour.

The 2016 S3 SPEED NATION – Alpine and Snowboardcross Nationals will take place in Québec at Chantecler Resort. The Provincial Association (Association Québec Snowboard) and Canada Snowboard are excited to present all speed disciplines at one location to compete and celebrate the final event of the competitive season.

«We are thrilled and excited about hosting this high performance national event. We are looking forward to welcoming all the athletes.» Christopher De Zordo, Ski Chantecler

The 2016 event will showcase the junior, senior and para-snowboard categories and will be preceded by the Alpine North American Cup. These competitions are organized by Association Québec Snowboard and sanctioned by Canada Snowboard, FIS and the International Paralympic Committee.

For more information
www.canadasnowboard.ca

Categories
Features News

Canada Snowboard is pleased to announce Elliot Catton as its new Coach

Elliot is bringing with him a strong experience as an athlete and coach, everyone will agree that he is the right fit for the Team. His passion for the sport, his skill set, his rigor at work, are all great assets that give us confidence that he can help the athletes and Canada to reach our common goals, to be the best nation in both Slopestyle and Big Air. Elliot will be focusing on the National Team athletes and he will work on a co-op coaching system with Chris Witwicki who will be focusing on the NextGen athletes.

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“We are very excited to bring Elliot on board, he is bringing years of coaching experience at an elite level. Elliot is well respected in the snowboard community and we are confident that he will continue to put our athletes on the podium” says Bob Joncas, Director of High Performance.

Elliot was the Head Coach with Simple Snowboarding working with the likes of current National Team athletes: Tyler Nicholson, Mikey Ciccarelli and National Development team athlete: Timothy Crighton.
Before coaching, Elliot was an athlete who placed 16th at the 2011 La Molina FIS World Championships. Elliot knows what the athletes need to be successful at a high level from his personal experience as both an athlete and coach.

“I’m excited to be a part of the Canada~Snowboard organization and I am looking forward to fulfilling my role in the continuing development of the talented athletes on the National Slopestyle team,” says Elliot.

Elliot’s focus will be developing the athletes to progress and excel as we set our sights on the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Peyongchang, South Korea.

Welcome to the team Elliot!