CANSI Presence Grows in Manitoba
CANSI (The Canadian Association of Nordic Ski Instructors) conducted a 5 day Level II/Level III Instructor Certification Course January 11, 12, & 13 and February 9 & 10 at Windsor Park Nordic Centre (WPNC) and Falcon Trails. The course was conducted by John Gallagher, Level IV Instructor/Level IV Course Conductor, from the Canmore Nordic Centre, Canmore, Alberta.
Jim Ballendine successfully completed his Level III Certification and Katrina Froese, Doug Smith and Ann-Marie Palfreeman successfully completed Level II Certification. They join a growing number of highly qualified instructors here including Jennifer Smirl, Danielle Papin and Brad Loewen who completed their Level II certifications at out of province courses in Alberta and B.C. last winter.
Congratulations to all these instructors for their commitment to nordic ski instruction and the hard work they put into preparing for and meeting both the technical skiing and teaching components of the course and for the time they put into the prerequisite practical instruction, at WPNC and elsewhere.
The candidates appreciated and benefitted greatly from the presence of John Gallagher as did CANSI Central as he graciously allowed other instructors to “drop in”, observe and participate throughout the course. Co-owner of Trail Sports at the Canmore Nordic Centre and avid skier, John brings a lifetime of professional work in the ski industry and as a ski instructor to the courses he conducts. His work encourages discussion, develops both instructional and technical competencies, and invites those involved to stay current and understand best practice. To not “think” we know, but to know!
There are now 36 CANSI certified nordic ski instructors working in the Central Region (Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Nunavut), the majority of these in Winnipeg. They all look forward to sharing their technical expertise with other skiers through lessons and ski clinics. WPNC requires all of its instructors to be CANSI certified.
CANSI is always interested in working with those interested in nordic ski instruction. You can find more information at CANSI.ca or on the instruction page of the CCSAM website at https://www.ccsam.ca/clubs-membership-2/instruction-cansi/
John Macbeth
