Coaches Tips : By Larry LeGear
Well the ski season is just around the corner, and we are all rushing around looking for equipment.
This is the time to look at the needs of the individuals in your Family. Most people tend to forget what the real needs are as far as equipment is concerned. We all get caught up in the drive of getting the best rather than what is the best based on the individual needs.
For most of us we need boots that fit and for all of us we need boots that work. Take the time to go to a reputable boot fitter and remember if you cannot flex the boot fully at 70 degrees you will never be able to flex the boot at -20 degrees.
Skis are the next challenge. Do you really need the full world cup? For the Majority of Athletes these skis are far to stiff. They are unforgiving and also they are far too specific.
Even the world cup Athletes jump off the race skis and go and free ski on semi fat all mountain skis or get on a pair of twin tips so they can get the diversity and versatility they want. After all 100% of the time it's the versatile skier that comes out on top when it comes to racing or charging through the bumps or trees.
Athletes under the age of 15 should all be working to become the best all round versatile and diverse skier possible. This requires thousands of miles skiing and this is where the all mountain and twin tips shine.
As for bindings it is simple, match the binding to the ski as most manufactures now have integrated the two.
Make sure that the binding can be set in the middle of the DIN scale on that particular binding as this is the sweet spot for binding performance. Being at the top or bottom of the scale is a stretch and does not allow for the best binding performance.
And remember to have binding set and checked over every season by a certified ski technician. They do a lot more than just turn the screw till the setting is on a number.
Last and most important is to remember why we all ski. We are here to get away from the everyday stresses in life and to have fun and explore. We tend to forget what made us continue to ski and love this sport. If we do the right things and set ourselves up to be versatile and diverse, it won't be you dragging your kid's out to ski, it will be them loading the van and telling you to hurry up.
Larry LeGear
Nancy Greene Coach
Height of Horseshoe
CSCF 3 CSIA 3 NCCP 4
|
