Board Members


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Rick Bowie

President
Starting as a founding member, and now current President of the Black Dogs Ski Club, Rick Bowie was born in Calgary and grew up skiing at Lake Louise. Hailing from a family of notable skiers, he began his ski journey on the alpine side before finding his calling in Freestyle Skiing. Rick competed on the World Cup Freestyle Tour for
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Tony Seligman

Board Director
Tony has coached with the Black Dogs since the very start of the club, earning the title of Head Coach back in 2013. Not only does he have 15 years of ski coaching experience in the Bow Valley, but also a well-documented background in working with youth in a variety of capacities over the last 35 years. Born in Ontario,
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Paul Coatsworth

Board Director, Coach
Paul is a Mechanical Engineer with a passion for understanding how things work. His attention to detail is represented in the care he gives towards the equipment set up of his athletes as well as his integrated approach to coaching and skill progression. He greatly enjoys helping athletes learn from all the amazing life lessons that result from ski racing.


Coaches


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Liam

Coach
I’ve been skiing since I was two, starting at Nakiska with N.A.S.A (Nakiska Alpine Ski Association). That early experience sparked a lifelong passion for the sport. Now, as a student at Mount Royal University, I’m balancing my studies with my love for skiing. I’m especially passionate about helping kids develop into great skiers. Watching them grow in confidence and skill
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Bayne

Coach
I’m Bayne, I’m currently attending Mount Royal University and I live in Calgary. My goal this year is to help athletes improve their technique, build confidence, and reach their goals, all while making the process fun. My focus is on inspiring growth and a love for the sport. Good coaching allowed me to love the sport when competing for over

Ellie

Coach
I live in Calgary and go to St Mary’s high school, and I’ve skied my whole life. First started at COP and then skied at Nakiska (NASA base mountain) for five years. I started skiing at Louise when I was 8 years old, did BVK and for 3 years, then BVK free riders for four years and joined Black Dogs
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Kazue

Coach
Hello my name is Kazue! I’m originally from Japan but moved to Canada to ski after I graduated university. I have almost 15 years of coaching experience and excited to continue my career with Blackdogs!
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Olivia

Coach
Hey my name’s Olivia and I’m super excited for my first season coaching in Canada! I am from Queenstown, New Zealand and have been racing my entire life. I was fortunate enough to travel the world representing Team New Zealand in racing throughout my teens, but now excited to pass on my knowledge to the next generation coming up!

Lucy

Coach
Hi I’m Lucy, from New Zealand. I have been skiing since I was 5 and have have recently just come to Lake Louise after finishing a ski season in Japan. I do a mix of skiing from touring, back country, and on-piste. I’m extremely excited to start my coaching career with Black Dogs and can’t be more excited for the
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Braedon

Head Coach
Braedon has a lifetime of experience in the ski racing scene. Starting racing at a young age of 5 in Blue Mountain, Ontario he has taken his talent representing his country across the globe. When Brae reached FIS, he skied for the National Ski Academy of Canada receiving world renowned coaching from some of the best coaches around the globe.
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Paul Coatsworth

Board Director, Coach
Paul is a Mechanical Engineer with a passion for understanding how things work. His attention to detail is represented in the care he gives towards the equipment set up of his athletes as well as his integrated approach to coaching and skill progression. He greatly enjoys helping athletes learn from all the amazing life lessons that result from ski racing.
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Mike Koper

Tech Advisor
Mike has coached with our club since the very beginning, although his teaching and ski coaching experience span well beyond that. His coaching career began as an instructor for the Lake Louise Ski Resort back in 1976, where he was thrown into the world of race coaching after the Ski School was contracted by the Lake Louise Ski Club to
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Ms. Kazue Isoyama

U8 Coach


Code of Conduct


A code of conduct has been developed and a coordinated team effort is required for the best possible operation of our programs.

A Code of Ethics Committee is established in order to supervise the Lake Louise Black Dogs Ski Club member’s behavior.

ATHLETE RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Obey the Skiers Responsibility Code at all times. When free skiing, the athlete will always be under control and at a safe speed so as to not scare or endanger other skiers. Athletes must obey all posted mountain signs and all verbal or written instructions received from the ski patrol, coaches and/or ski area employees.

  2. Participate and commit fully to the training and racing plan as designed by the coaching staff (dry land, on-snow, equipment, diet, rest, etc.) giving 100% to the achievement of their personal advancement plan.

  3. Communicate with the coaches on all aspects of the program and plan and respect the decisions of the coaching staff.

  4. Respect, properly use and refrain from abuse of ski area and other venue equipment and facilities. Become the proud of Lake Louise Ski Area.

  5. Show courteous and cooperative behavior to all coaches, gatekeepers, parents, officials, employees, and customers of all ski areas and other venues during the training and competition.

  6. Refrain from the use of profane language or directing profane language toward anyone at anytime. Behave in the manner that brings credit to yourself, the team and program. Athletes shall be known as the best on and off the hill.

  7. Endeavor to maintain a clean and neat appearance at all times so as to promote yourself, the team, and the community. Wear team uniforms and insignia with pride whenever directed by the coaching staff. 

  8. Show respect for others by always storing skis and other gear in appropriate place.

  9. Understand and accept that any damage caused, directly or indirectly, is the athlete’s responsibility as is reimbursement of property owners, hotel or motel operators, ski areas, or ski clubs for any loss(es) incurred.

PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Respect all the decisions made by the Lake Louise Black Dogs Ski Club’ staff relevant to your child’s ski development program.

  2. Respect and honor any and all other policies which may be developed and communicated by the Bod or coaching staff.

  3. Communicate in a respectful manner with the program director and coaches as needed on all aspects of the program(s).

  4. In the case of a program or coaching concerns, communicate first to the program director(s) who will guide the resolution process. Parents will refrain from taking program/coaching concerns directly to the coach or interrupting the training plan.

  5. Commit to the specified fundraising activities that form the part of the overall program. Handle any and all financial obligations to the club, association and the ski community in timely and complete matter.

  6. Communicate to coaches or program directors on any personal needs or changes happening in the athlete’s personal life that may affect the performance and behavior.

COACH RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Set the example and behave in accordance with the athlete’s code of conduct (above) as well as the Canadian Ski Coaches Federation and Canadian Ski Instructors’ Alliance code of ethics and principles.

  2. Represent the best interest of all athletes.

  3. Coach the athletes in a logical sequence and use all development tools available, respecting the Club program.

  4. Commit 100% to the program and personal achievement of all athletes.

  5. Communicate with athletes on any and all aspects of their personal goals.

  6. Communicate with parents on appropriate aspects of the team and individual athlete programs.

SKI CLUB ADMINISTRATION RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Employ a capable and respected team of professional coaches to direct all programs.

  2. Conduct the affairs of the club(s) in an ethical and financially responsible manner.

  3. Promote and develop the program philosophy for the benefit of all athletes.

  4. Ensure that the program(s) is/are well defined and understood by all parties and is available in a written outline form.

Athletes, parents, coaches and the ski club administration must all agree to the above responsibilities and understand that the Lake Louise Black Dogs Ski Club and member clubs Board of Directors have developed this code of conduct to promote and protect the teams, ski areas, and the community.

All parties agree that any infringement of the above Code of Conduct responsibilities is the grounds for disciplinary action in the form of a punishment period or dismissal for the remainder of the season.



COLD WEATHER TIPS


by Peter Lepinski

Do not get fully dressed in your ski suit prior to coming to the hill. You may end up sweating and once outside you will chill off quickly. Be prepared to get fully dressed just prior to going on the hill. Your coaches will provide you with ample time.

Bring extra clean dry socks and change into a pair just as you are ready to put your boots on. That way you do not have a moist pair on your feet. Use the socks you are removing or have a small towel to dry your feet before putting the new socks on.

Each night ensure you remove your boot liners and dry them out thoroughly over a heat register.

Each night ensure you dry out your gloves thoroughly over a heat register. Mittens are much warmer than gloves and are recommended on the colder days.

Pack an extra sweat shirt or sweater in the event you may need to add on a layer.

Make sure you have a good helmet to keep your head warm, as you lose heat quickly through your head.

Ensure you have a good pair of goggles to protect your eyes if snow is falling.

Make sure you hydrate at each break. Dehydrating will cause you to loose body heat more rapidly than normal, causing discomfort faster.

Bring snacks to have during breaks so your body has a source of fuel and energy. Cold weather taps energy more rapidly than in warm weather.

Lastly, do not hesitate to approach your coach and advise them of your situation if you are feeling cold or need a break. If you are focusing on how cold or hurt you are, you are not able to effectively learn and participate.

The coaches are here to help you achieve and succeed.

With temperature at -25C and below the training will be cancelled.



Ski Selection Tips


Ski selection, both model and length, will always be a very personal and, to a large extent, very subjective decision. We will soon post a chart that shows some of the common trends we noticed as a result of our ongoing testing, which should be taken into consideration when making model and length decisions. Optimal ski length is determined by the following order: ability, weight and strength. We hope you will find this information useful and we wish you an excellent winter. Good luck racing!

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