Ages: HS: 13-17 PS: 18-24

Biathlon Academy

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The Sovereign Lake Nordic Development Academy, in partnership with Okanagan School District #22 Snowsports Academy, offers Western Canada’s first high-performance training program for cross-country and Biathlon athletes in grades 8 through 12. This program caters to athletes with a commitment to academic and athletic excellence within the common high school timetable.
This Program has established a pathway to post-secondary excellence, tying in with our Post-Secondary Program. For athletes who intend to ski throughout the university, our program will collaborate with UBCO and Okanagan College to provide a seamless transition from high school to Post-Secondary Academics.
International caliber coaching staff guide you through your high school racing career. Sovereign Lake is unparalleled when it comes to early and late-season training opportunities, hosting the first and last on-snow camps of the season in partnership with Biathlon BC. With FIS and National Caliber Biathlon races planned each season at our venue, there is a real hometown advantage for athletes attending our program.

Eligibility:
  • Currently enrolled in a Regional High School (or online program) in Grades 8 through 12. Need help finding a school, contact us!
  • Must have a valid Student Season Pass
  • Must possess a Minor’s Permit and provide your own rifle*
  • An online Onboarding Session is required*
  • Maximum 30 participants across both Cross Country and Biathlon Programs for the 2023-24 season
  • Registration Deadline: May 31, 2023.

 

Cost Schedule: $2000 for School District 22 Students, $3000 for students Out of District

2023-25 Sponsors:

Why Join the SLNC Nordic Development Academy?

  • Integration with Okanagan School District #22 provides students with daytime training in Block A/B of the common timetable permitting the entire ski team the chance to train together, regardless of school or grade.
  • All Grade 11 and 12 students will attain NCCP Introduction to Community Coaching and Community Coaching Courses as part of their curriculum with scheduled Bunny Rabbits and Jack Rabbits Coaching, and/or Biathlon Bears coaching sessions.
  • A CANSI Level 1 Instructor Course may be offered at a discount for Academy athletes.
  • NCCP Biathlon Coaching Courses will be subsidized.
  • Full Waxing Support and Coaching Support at Team Led events,
  • Athletes receive a Physical Education credit.

If you have any questions about the Biathlon Program please reach out to the Biathlon Head Coach Eric at [email protected]

 

Program Details:

Dates
May 1st, 2023 – Mid April, 2024 (School Snowsports Academy Semester runs September 6th, 2023 – Jan 27th, 2024)
Schedule
Summer
AM: [Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, ~8:30 – 11:00]
PM: Tue (Gym) 16:30 – 18:00
Biathlon Specific: Tue *Combined practice with XC*, Wed 17:00 – 19:00, Sat 14:00 – 16:00School Schedule (Semester 1)
AM:
 [Tue (Gym), Wed, Thu, Fri ~8:30 – 11:00], Sat 9:30 – 11:30
PM: [Tue, Thu, 18:00 – 19:30]Biathlon Specific: Wed 17:00 – 19:00, Sat 13:00 – 15:00, *Biathlon sessions will be integrated into the morning schedule*School Schedule (Semester 2: Spring, Fall / Winter)
AM: Sat 9:30 – 11:30
PM: [Tue, Thu, 18:00 – 19:30]Biathlon Specific: Wed 17:00 – 19:00, Thu 17:00 – 18:30 *Before XC*, Sat 14:00 – 16:00
Length of Session
1.5 to 3 hrs
Consultation and approval to participate in this program must be given by the SLNC Coaching Staff and Snowsports Nordic Academy teacher Glen Stiven before registering. This is to ensure that the Academy is a good “fit” for student-athletes and that they are aware of  – and appropriately prepared for –  the demands of Academy training and academic study.

*If you came up through our SLNC program you may be able to continue renting a rifle for a total of 3 years as per club policy.

* An SLNC 22/23 season pass is required for participants in this program.

No formal programming: TBD

SLNDA is Western Canada’s newest high-performance development training program for Cross Country and Biathlon athletes.

SLNDA provides training opportunities for athletes looking to continue racing immediately after high school or transition into post-secondary education while racing at a high level. We cater to athletes with a commitment to academic and athletic excellence. Many SLNDA athletes attend UBCO or Okanagan College and are able to adjust their school schedule to fit optimal training sessions. SLNDA has high-quality training opportunities at our facility providing athletes a stepping stone toward National Training Centers and National teams.

Our team of full-time, year-round coaching staff will help guide you through your post-secondary racing career. Sovereign Lake is unparalleled when it comes to early and late-season training opportunities, hosting the first and last on-snow camps of the season. At an elevation of over 1600m, we offer daily high-elevation programming on arguably some of the best-groomed trails in the world.

With FIS and National caliber biathlon races planned each season at our venue, there is a real hometown advantage for athletes. With close proximity to one of the top 40 universities in the world and an international airport less than one hour away from our training facilities, SLNDA is an obvious choice when considering post-secondary training opportunities.

 

The Okanagan valley is home to hundreds of kilometers of running and mountain biking trails and picturesque roller skiing and road cycling routes. Famous lakes and beaches provide a fun and relaxing environment to cool off after a long workout. Our biathlon range is state-of-the-art with wireless targets.

 

Eligibility:

  • High school graduate between 18 and 24
  • Post-Secondary school enrollment is encouraged but not required
  • An online onboarding session and code of conduct agreement is required
  • Maximum 15 participants for the 2023-24 season between XC and biathlon
  • Must possess a valid PAL and have your own rifle
  • Application deadline: April 20th, 2023, or until spots are full

 

Apply for post-secondary schooling: Many programs have placements available. Contact the Academic Advisor for details.

 

2022-25 Sponsors:

 

Why join our SLNC Nordic Development Academy?

  • Year-round training program
  • Monthly training camps (spring/summer/fall)
  • 3-5 in-person sessions weekly on average, year-round
  • High-performance development focused
  • An opportunity to be a part of a team that is dedicated, driven & like-minded
  • All participants will have the opportunity to attain NCCP (coach) training
  • Athletes will sometimes coach within our youth and masters programs – giving back to the ski community is an important part of being an athlete
  • Waxing and coaching support at team-led events
  • Early and late season on-snow training – 6 months of snow!

If you have any questions about the Biathlon Program please reach out to the Biathlon Head Coach Eric at [email protected]

Program Details:

Dates
May 1st, 2023 – Mid April, 2024 (School Snowsports Academy Semester runs September 6th, 2023 – Jan 27th, 2024)
Sessions per Week
Summer
AM: [Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, ~8:30 – 11:00]
PM: Tue (Gym) 16:30 – 18:00Biathlon Specific: Tue *Combined practice with XC*, Wed 17:00 – 19:00, Fri 9:00 – 11:00, Sat 14:00 – 16:00School Schedule *Throughout the entire season*
AM:
 Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri ~8:30 – 11:00, Sat 9:30 – 11:30
PM: *Welcome to join any club PM sessions*Biathlon Specific: Wed 17:00 – 19:00, Sat 13:00 – 15:00, *Biathlon sessions will be integrated into morning schedule*
Length of Session
1.5 to 3
Cost
$3900

 

*To participate in this program you must have a consultation with a Sovereign Lake Nordic Development Academy coach and receive approval prior to joining. This is to ensure that the Academy is a good “fit” for student-athletes and that they are aware of  – and appropriately prepared for –  the demands of Academy training and academic study.

* An SLNC 23/24 season pass and club/provincial/national membership in cross country and biathlon is required for participants in this program

* A Silver Star Nordic pass is required

No formal programming: ~ TBD

 

 

 

Eric Schryer – Biathlon Lead Coach 

Hailing from Sudbury, Ontario, Eric began his journey in skiing and biathlon by striding and gliding around his property with his parents. After discovering biathlon he patiently waited until he was old enough and then began learning to shoot in his local air rifle biathlon program. This quickly evolved to teaching himself how to shoot .22 rifles with a small group of athletes. After racing domestically, Eric was quickly scooped up by the coaching world. Eric began coaching with the Chelsea Nordiq ski & biathlon club. Along with leading this talented group of biathletes, Eric coached at the 2019 Canada Winter Games, and a multitude of Jr. IBU cups, IBU cups, and World Youth / Junior Championships with Team Canada. Eric is a member of Biathlon Canada’s Domestic Committee and is continuing his education in the field of psychology.

 

Administration Support

Lynn Algra- Cadet Liaison

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