Blogging

Just figured out how to Blog.

People should look forward to a great season of pictures, videos, and interesting updates.

It's on. It's so on.

It has begun- Killington spun out the K-1 and North Ridge triple yesterday for the first time of the season! Reports are that conditions were great for November 2nd. Looks like we're off to a great start!

After a great meeting on Sunday, Coach Evan and I have come up with a little more defined philosophy that we'll use to approach training this season. Of course there's a lot more to it than this short list, but here's our pledge to the athletes we'll be training this season.

KMS/KWSC Snowboard Coaching Philosophy

Multi-D Approach: Repeating the same moves on the same terrain is repetitive and can slow real progress. KMS and KWSC athletes will train using a multidimensional approach- not just riding rails, jumps and halfpipe. Riders will explore movements for effective riding all over the mountain and bring them back to the proper venue. By practicing these movements in safe and varied terrain, they will master them before committing to metal or air, leading to greater success. This approach will be used both on and off snow. Skateboarding, climbing, yoga, trampolines, core training and other movement based activity will improve the strength and balance skills necessary to propel riders to the next level.

(Picture above: Coach KC shows a group how to start frontside spins on the snow. Once they mastered the movements here, we took it to snow on our boards, then jumps, pipe, rails. Success and Safety! Yes, Coach KC will be wearing this rad jacket this season...)

Movement Based Feedback: Coaches should help riders improve physically, affectively and cognitively. Period. For the physical piece, KMS/KWSC Coaches will focus on “how” riders need to move to improve, not “what” they need to do. Body movements will be tied to specific snowboard outcomes. For example, good coaching for a pipe rider might be “You need to pump that transition on your frontside wall more to carry more speed.” KMS/KWSC coaching will include “Try pushing your board away from your hips by extending both legs as you enter the transition, like this (followed by a demonstration).” Body movement coaching is the key to progression.

Feedback Delivery in Methods that Athletes Understand: KMS/KWSC Coaches will work to understand how each individual athlete learns and will strive to deliver coaching that suits each rider’s learning style. Some riders need soft and encouraging words. Some riders must see an example of how the move needs to happen. Some athletes learn better when they are pressed and pressured. We’ll assess each individual’s learning style and use it so that riders will see more progression, faster.

The Consummate Pro Athlete: Being a professional snowboarder is not just about competition snowboarding. KMS/KWSC athletes will also be coached in filming, sponsor relations, event choice, product placement and snowboard industry issues.

Team: Synergy is real; teamwork benefits all team members. This theory applies not only in snowboarding, but the entire KMS/KWSC community. We’ll train together, hang out together and travel together. The more support the better!

Success through Accomplishing Realistic Attainable and Measureable Goals: Not all KMS/KWSC athletes will choose to compete in contests, but regardless of this decision, success should be measured by accomplishing goals. KMS/KWSC Coaches will work with riders to establish realistic, attainable and measureable goals and a training plan to accomplish those goals. These goals will be re-accessed often to assure progression at an appropriate rate.

We're stoked and ready for the season. Please continue to check the calendar for updates and this blog for rad pictures and commentary.

See you on the snow,

KC

Winter is Coming!

Winter is on it's way, this picture proves it! Ok, so this shot was taken a week or two ago...the fact remains that it was snowing on the mountain yesterday- both from heaven and from hoses!

The first rail jam of the season was held this past Saturday night October 30th at the GMC Lodge- the 5th Annual Tricks n Treat ULLR Jam was a great event with plenty of shred for all. Coach Evan was there to cheer on the KMS athletes that competed and document the whole gig.

Speaking of Coaches, I'm sure you're stoked to see Coach Evan coming back this season in a full-time role. He'll be the man on the snow 6 days a week once he's finished with his last ever college final exams! Evan will be shredding with the KMS and KWSC snowboard teams and is totally committed to taking the athlete's riding to new levels.

The full-time students moved in to the Morse campus yesterday and it was nice to see so much activity on the mountain. A big welcome to Conner Phillips, who is entering his first year as a student athlete at KMS- we're pumped to have you!

My name is KC Gandee and I'll be the Snowboard Program Director and will be coaching as well this season for both KMS and KWSC. I'm super excited to be here, and will be updating this blog regularly with pictures, both old and new, so keep checking back. Also, be on the lookout for coaches bios and some content change on the KMS Snowboard website.

In the meantime, please don't hesitate to ask any questions you might have. You can reach me at kgandee@killingtonmountainschool.org

Happy Shredding,

KC

KMS 2010 Summer Snowboard Camp in New Zealand

2010 USASA NATIONALS

Max, Mitch and Alex went all out at USASA Nationals and did well in all their respective events. Some highlights include a 3rd place finish for Mitch in halfpipe and a repeat 2nd place finish for Max in boardercross. It was great ending to a excellent season!

Mitch awaits his first halfpipe run

Alex hikes the pipe during warmups

The crowd gathers for awards on Sunday

Mitch taking home the bronze

Mitch waits his turn at the slope venue on Monday

Max in the gate during Tuesday's semi-final heat

Max takes home silver in the boardercross

Kim Gaines and Christine Feehan at the KMS booth

Max's second giant slalom run

Coach Coates and Max before GS finals

KMSST Week 19 & 20

The team resumed training after finally recovering from the long travel back from Oregon. We hit up the Dreamaker park, halfpipe, plus a little Stash sprinkled in between. Unfortunately, the weather was not too cooperative, which allowed the boys to revisit the Rutland Bowlerama for final bragging rights on the greasy hardwood.

To wrap up the season - all four boys qualified for USASA Nationals at Copper, CO! We will be traveling for the week long competition beginning April 2nd. Alex qualified for halfpipe, Mitch for slopestyle and halfpipe, Chris boardercross, and Max giant slalom and boardercross. Be sure to check back for results and updates.

Chris Boera

Alex at Bear

Max Elles

Mitch at Bear

Mitch Heberer

The team at the Rutland Bowlerama

Mitch shows some sweet form

Max goes for the spare

Sir Alex gets his strike in the 5th frame

Chris's chance to take the win

And the winner is...

The boys exit the building for the last time

KMSST Week 17 & 18

Where does the time go? Back at the airport once again. The team flew out of Boston on the 14th of March for the last stop of the Revolution Tour and two NORAM boardercross's. The team managed to get on the hill for training on the 15th despite the late traveling. The slopestyle event took place on Tuesday. Alex got 42nd, Mitch 29th, and Chris 27th. Wednesday was halfpipe. Alex got 38th and Mitch was close to making finals with an 18th finish. On Thursday Chris and Max took to the boardercross course with Chris getting 43rd and Max 37th. The boys took the following day off. Max had his first NORAM boardercross on Saturday and finished 33rd... just missing brackets. The other three spent the day at Timberline. Max finished the week with his second NORAM boardercross, but this time he did make brackets with a 32nd placing in his time trial. He managed 3rd in his heat which included a couple of Canadian National team members. After the competition, the team loaded up the Suburban and headed to Portland to kill some time before the 11pm flight(from hell). We arrived back at KMS at 7pm the following day. Needless to say, we took Tuesday off. The team is now preparing for USASA Nationals in April at Copper, Colorado. We will be flying out on the 2nd for some slopestyle, halfpipe, boardercross, and giant slalom competition.

Once again... it begins in Boston

Happy in their new Hood

Chris at the Hood Meadows slope course

Chris on course

Alex selects the perfect tune for his run

Mitch drops in during Wednesday's halfpipe competition

Alex waits his turn during pipe

Max's time trial on Thursday's Rev Tour SBX

Chris on course

Whats Hood without mentioning Huckleberry shakes

I'm pretty sure Max won this hand

Max on course during Sunday's NORAM time trial

Max in the gate during the 1st Heat

Gotta buy Nike in Oregon

Chris's 51 pound bag clears... and he's loving it!