Roller Coaching - A New Members Perspective
Having been a fan of the Biathlon for number of years I finally decided that 2005 would be the year that I learned to cross country ski. I have always toyed with idea, having been a downhiller for a good few years but could never somehow sacrifice a day or so of my hard earned winter hols. to become a beginner again - but now my mind was made up - I was going to skate like Ole Einar Bjoerndalen and the secret weapon was roller skis.
I have to admit that the thought of roller skis was not initially a pleasant one. Having never been a skateboarder or in-line skater and been reminded over the Christmas holidays just how bad an ice skater I was (remember Bambi?); thoughts of being bedecked in body armour head to toe came into my mind. However, undaunted I surfed the interweb for a club nearer than Aviemore that could assist. Hurrah!, there was one in Manchester and what’s more it appeared to have a very active roller ski programme - I sent my email at once and was sent a very useful back issue of the club magazine and encouraged by Nick to attend the next meeting at Sale, which I duly did.
It was there I met (amongst many other very friendly people), Ralph White - an enthusiastic roller coach - just what I required. He outlined some of the clubs aims - ‘this was where I needed to be’ I thought and I was in luck, the next roller coaching session was the following Saturday AND the club could lend me the gear - I was already there. Ralph would not be able to make it but 2 other coaches - David Painter and Ros Brown-Grant (gulp!) would be able to assist me - I was already intimidated.
I arrived at Tatton the following Saturday with excited trepidation but my fears were soon dispelled. Everyone was so friendly and both David and Ros were extremely helpful and supportive. David even lent me his wider wheeled skis for the morning which was very reassuring - thanks David, my pulse was only 130 now!
My first session was with Ros and despite the surname never gave both barrels once during the morning. She was soooooooo patient and understanding. Oh yes it looks easy on the telly but as you all know - it’s not - I soon got a reality check and a sore wrist and a sore backside!
It’s funny how your own perspective differs from others - I felt like I was falling over every 2 minutes and skiing all over the place but Ros kept telling me how well I was doing - that’s the sign of a good coach - they keep telling you you’re the best in the world (okay stop laughing). I made reasonable progress that morning; I even did some skating but did contrive during a heavy fall to break David’s clutch on one of his skis - sincere apologies David! It was time to call a halt to proceedings.
I was set homework like any good teacher (sorry) Coach would and I complied - several times actually, despite the funny expression of some residents of Warrington - ’interesting’ panted two joggers one afternoon.
Last Saturday - 5th March, I attended the Tatton event once more and David spent the morning with me this time. I felt a lot more comfortable when I noticed that his ski appeared to be fixed and away we went - even downhill at one point, yes - this is the ticket! Again, the patience and encouragement was second to none and I made significant progress this time - I didn’t even fall. The trick is to listen and apply what is being said - yes it’s not always easy and at time it feels horrible but it WORKS.
Thanks Ralph, David and Ros.
Incidentally, I asked Patrick W and Mike Dixon to give the club and its roller ski programme a mention on Eurosport and they duly delivered - maybe it will encourage others to join the fray.
Roll on the next event!
author: Paul Young
publish date: March 2005
This article is copyright of the Author and Manchester Cross-Country Ski Club.
No part of the publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means in any other publication without the written permission of the publisher.
affiliated to SnowSport England
© MCCSC 1998-2008 / info@mccsc.org.uk / content altered May 2007