Some Flin Flon and area skiers took to the water to get in shape at a recent conditioning camp.
The Flin Flon Ski Club held its second annual ski paddle camp on July 14 and 15. A total of 13 athletes, including nine junior athletes, took part in the camp. Activities were split between multiple different sites, including the Flin Flon Ski Club chalet, Phantom Lake and even the North of 53 Consumers’ Co-op parking lot – where the new, smooth pavement provided a smooth surface for roller skis.
“It was a conditioning camp for cross-country skiers, so we used roller skis for skiing on cement. They’re short skis that have wheels on either end, you put on your ski boots and you use your ski poles. It simulates skate skiing and cross-country skiing,” said Dean Grove, camp organizer and Ski Club president.
On the waters at Phantom Lake, participants took part in a tried-and-true method of northern Manitoba cross-training, trading their ski poles for canoe paddles. Cross-country skiers often use marathon paddling as an off-season preparation, as it uses similar physical skills.
“Many cross-country skiers will use marathon paddling or distance paddling for conditioning. We were introducing kids to the strokes and techniques involved in that,” said Grove.
The paddling camp will be the Ski Club’s last event until the fall, when the club plans to host a biathlon camp for interested athletes.
“The provincial coach from the Saskatchewan biathlon team will be coming in to instruct some of our athletes and even some adults who are interested in biathlon,” said Grove.
As for the paddling camp itself, Grove anticipates it will return next summer for a third year, adding plans are already underway.
“It was probably a better camp in some ways, because we did some different things. We had some higher level skiers here too,” he said.
“We’re already planning to do it again next summer and we’re hoping it will be bigger and better.”
