The Bend Endurance Academy, in partnership with Meissner Nordic is hosting a free learn to ski day at the Meissner Nordic Community Ski Trails.The event welcomes participants of all ages and abilities.

Clinics, taught by Academy Nordic staff members, will start at 2pm on Saturday, February 11th.

Participants must provide their own skate or classic gear.

The Learn to Ski Day is part of the Bend Endurance Academy Community Trails Project. The project features six community outreach days focused on trail use and trail building. The Community Trails Project is made possible by a grant from the North Face Explore Fund.

For more information contact info ‘at’ bendenduranceacademy ‘dot’ org

Isabel Smith- Photo Credit: Matt Whitcomb, USSA Nordic

The Nordic season has officially begun.

Our Nordic Competition skiers traveled to West Yellowstone, MT during Thanksgiving week for a successful training camp and the season’s first races. According to Nordic Program Director Ben Husaby,”The team size is growing steadily and we are off to a great start with the first Super Tour results. Bella Smith, Dakota Blackhorse and Nick St. Clair had notable performances in West Yellowstone and 6 of our athletes: Dakota, Bella, Lars, Max, Holly and Reitler are still on the road- traveling to Bozeman, MT for the next SuperTour races. Our athletes are competing at the highest level of national racing and we are excited to see what they can accomplish this season.” Check out the full SuperTour Results.

Dakota Blackhorse- von Jess, Photo Credit: Fasterskier.com

Our Nordic Development skiers have been dryland training as well as seeking out good snow. The team is patiently waiting for the excellent grooming at Meissner Nordic to begin. Nordic Development coach Stuart Smith-Blockley noted,” We had our best first day on snow- ever- thanks to Lloyd Vordenberg setting tracks one Sunday morning. We have a growing group of Devo skiers this year and they’re already making great progress in just a few short weeks.”

Devo Team- Photo Credit: Coach Bill

Practices begin for our Nordic Youth skiers this Saturday and Sunday. December 3rd and 4th and we are excited to welcome Pete Basinger, Melanie Nelson, Allie Phillips and Libby Hayden to our coaching staff. “We still have spots available and enrollment is still open,” according to Youth Club coach Brenna Warburton. “We’d like to encourage young people to sign up soon- especially to enjoy our Winter Camp December 20-22. We’d also like to encourage families to renew or join Meissner Nordic to support all of their trail grooming efforts.”

Our Masters Nordic programs will start on December 6th. Sunday Masters and Thursday Women’s Skate are both full- but there is still room on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Sign up today to save your spot!

Win this boat! We have extended the drawing to October 11th!

This is a 14 foot Great Auk built by the spring 2011 COCC Community Learning Class under the guidance of local boatbuilder Greg Bridges.

Go here for full details and to purchase tickets.

Proceeds from the raffle tickets support the Academy and the Bend Paddle Trail Alliance, working to enhance and protect our waterways in Deschutes County.

The Nordic Fall Ladies (NFL) program is designed for participants who wish to improve their overall ski fitness this winter, through organized and professionally coached dryland training sessions.

The NFL is open to ladies of all abilities and will focus on skill and fitness building in a fun, social atmosphere.

Participants will enjoy a systematic progression of ski training activities near Bend during one of the most pleasant times of year. Participants can expect to come away with an understanding of basic physiology, fresh and exciting training methods and increased confidence for the ski season.

Whether you intend on skiing with friends or plan on racing you can begin the ski season with confidence and this innovative program will dovetail nicely with Bend Endurance Nordic programs beginning in December.

Sign up today! Registration is limited to only 13 participants.

• Dates: Sept 13, 20, 27, Oct 4, 11, 18, 25, Nov 1,8
• Cost: $125
• Coaches:  Ben Husaby, Dakota Blackhorse von Jess
• Equipment:  Running shoes (for light jogging/walking- no intense running or rollerskiing), training clothing, water bottle carrier
• Meeting Place:  Bend Endurance Academy Office
• Meeting Times: 9:15am Tuesday mornings (Return 11:30-11:45)
• ENROLL ONLINE!

The Haulin’ Aspen is a Trail Marathon, Half Marathon and 7 Mile Run organized by Gina Miller and the Lay It Out Events staff.

Now, we must rally together to promptly fill 35 volunteer positions.

Volunteers will manage the aid stations along the course. Can you help with an aid station on Sunday, August 7th? Would you be interested in ‘sweeping’ a section of the course via mountain bike?

If so call or email Brenna. Contact info is listed below.

Please remember that events like these help us provide professional, affordable development programs for the youth of Central Oregon!

For the U.S. Ski Team Women’s Video Challenge we submitted a few shots from our 2011 Trout Lake Camp featuring athletes from all over the country, pushing each other to the next level of training.

Watch the video. 

Come join the Pacific Northwest crew in Trout Lake, Washington for a 5 day Nordic camp aimed at systematically improving your Nordic technique, fitness, strength and overall athletic preparation.

The Trout Lake camp has been a PNSA tradition for 12 years- and has grown to be known as “the greatest camp ever”.   The camp is designed for relative beginners and seasoned veterans ages 14-23 with some roller skiing experience.  Past campers have included High School racers from Oregon, youngsters eager to break into the sport, all the way up to Junior National Champions, collegiate skiers and World Junior Team Members.  Camps are built on a progression with specific workouts used to plot development over the course of the summer.

Dates: July 20-24, 2011

Training Activities: rollerskiing (classic and skate), strength, plyometric and agility drills, pole bounding, rollerski time trial, epic off trail adventures and a climb up 12,00o foot Mt. Adams (for second year J1s and older if weather permits)

Location: Trout Lake, Washington at the base of Mt. Adams.  From Hwy 141 turn onto Park road and take a left into the Guler/Mt. Adams Community Park. Head toward the Group Camp. Be prepared for camping!

Cost:

• $200
• For second year J1s and older who want to climb Mt. Adams bring an extra $20 in cash

Meet: 3:00 pm Wednesday afternoon at campground

Depart: 3:00 pm Sunday afternoon from campground

What to Bring:  Skate/Classic roller skis, Skate/Classic poles with ferrules, Ski boots, Sleeping Bag/pad and towel, Plate, bowl, fork and spoon, Water bottle carrier/ extra water bottle, Tent, Running shoes, Helmet, Cool weather training clothing, Warm weather training clothing, Very little social clothing, Gloves, mole skin, band aids if you have not been roller skiing, Heart rate monitor if you have one, Bounding poles if you have them, Small bag/pack for training days, Toiletries, Headlamp, Bug spray/sunscreen.

Questions: Email    Ben ‘at’ BendEnduranceAcademy.org or call 541-678-3864

Enrollment:

Sign up ASAP to save your place!

1) Enroll Online

2) Read and print the Liability Waiver.

3) Mail the Waiver, and your check to:

Bend Endurance Academy
PNSA Nordic Camp- Trout Lake
500 SW Bond Street, Suite 142
Bend, OR 97702

The PNSA Bend camp was based on the Trout Lake Model and activities included on snow skiing over lakes and meadows, rollerskiing, strength and games, and rock climbing.

According to Nordic Program Director Ben Husaby, “The camp was really fun. We had amazing skiing the whole week.  Finishing up by skiing down south sister really capped the camp off.  I think everyone is really looking forward to Trout Lake in July.”

Partial funding for the camp was provided by the Pacific Northwest Ski Association.

Online registration is open for the Academy’s next camp- Trout Lake- July 20-24.

The following photos were submitted by camp participant Rogan Brown. Rogan is originally from Durango, CO and is attending the University of Vermont. He is training for Nordic skiing with the Academy in Bend this summer.