The Competitive Youth Biathlon program is directed at cross country skiers aged 13 to 18 who are interested in further developing their skiing and shooting skills through year-round training, and have a desire to compete at regional or higher levels.
Program Requirements:
Entry into the Competitive Youth Program requires the approval of the VIBC Competitive Youth Head Coach.
This program is suitable for athletes who have graduated from the Biathlon Bears Program, or equivalent cadet program, and who have a strong skiing background. Athletes admitted to the Competitive Youth Program should have either completed the Strathcona Nordics DEVO Team program and/or are currently training with the Junior Racing Team.
Ski Training
We strongly, strongly encourage all Competitive Youth team members train concurrently with the Strathcona Nordics Junior Racers and learn ski technique under the expert direction of Head Coach Andrea Stapff. This has made a huge difference to the ski ability of many of the Competitive Youth team members. There are “2 practices a week” and “4 practices a week” option for the Junior Racers.
Competitive Youth athletes are in the “Training to Train” or “Training to Compete” stages of growth and maturation in the Long Term Athlete Development model. Levels of training for individual athletes will vary according to their individual goals.
Ski Equipment
Participants are required to provide their own skate skiing equipment. Roller skis are strongly recommended as they will be used for training sessions, as well as shorter poles for striding.
Rifles & License
Athletes in the Competitive Youth program must have their Possession and Acquisition License (PAL) minor’s permit in order to participate in the program as they will be at times required to transport their rifle and/or ammunition for training or competition. Although some club rifles are available for rent from VIBC, athletes who intend to pursue biathlon for a few years in competition are encouraged to consider purchasing their own rifle. This lends to better fit of the rifle to the individual, and thus improved success. Fortunately, biathlon rifles hold their value well, and are a good investment.
Program Support
Parents must register through Biathlon Canada as a Volunteer in the Biathlon BC section in order to be covered by insurance for your time on and around the range.
Parents are also strongly encouraged to take club sponsored coaching or officiating courses to better assist your child in their success in the program, and/or consider taking on a specific volunteer Board of Directors position to assist with the club operations.
Training
For the summer session we encourage the athletes to continue with their own fitness development through a variety of sports, but also to see the start of ski-specific training like roller skiing and ski striding. Competitive Youth athletes who are not currently registered with the Strathcona Nordics Junior Racing team are welcome and encouraged to participate in drop in summer training sessions with the team provided they are a current SNSC member. Shooting practice in the summer will include participation in the Biathlon Canada Shooting Competition.
For the fall and winter sessions we are focused on ski-specific and biathlon activities, to bring together these two complex skills. Training may involve shooting practice with both air rifles and .22 caliber rifles, and combinations roller skiing and ski striding until we are on snow and skiing during the training sessions.
Competition
The Competitive Youth team will participate in the BiBC Cup competition series sanctioned by Biathlon BC. In addition, the group may attend club level races, NorAm competitions, provincial or national championships.
A typical race weekend for a BC Cup series consists of two races, one on Saturday and one on Sunday in slightly different race formats.
Registration
Competitive Youth participants need to be a member of the Vancouver Island Biathlon Club, as well as Biathlon Canada and Biathlon BC for insurance purposes. Please see the website registration page for details.
Ski Passes
Competitive Youth athletes are required to have a valid Mt. Washington Alpine Resort trail pass. Please see the website for details www.mtwashington.ca.