Fall Camp Article

Gryphon Skiers Push the Tempo at Annual Fall Training Camp

Last weekend the Men’s and Women’s Nordic ski teams travelled to Midland/Penetanguishene on the banks of beautiful Georgian Bay to attend their annual Fall Colours training camp.

The focus of this camp was intensity and technical proficiency in cross country skiing, in preparation for the upcoming season.

The weekend began bright and early Saturday morning with rollerski technique analysis thanks to the keen eyes of Head Coach Richard Lay, Assistant Coach Ian Ritchie, and crafty veterans such as Mike Weersink, Laura Hewitt, and Lindsey Chapman. Later on, speed and long duration intervals were carried out on the area’s quiet country roads and steep terrain.

On Saturday afternoon, the team travelled to the nearby Mountainview ski hills, which has been the site of OFSAA high school Nordic Ski championships in the past, as well as the Mountainview Snow Dog Race that the team frequents annually. This workout included a gruelling plyometrics (ski specific strength) and ski striding workout, in which leadership from talented veterans and keen rookies brought a new meaning to the term “throw down.”

Following an evening of good food, hot tubs, and team bonding, Sunday morning included the ever popular Cross Country Canada strength test in which every team member showed that they are not a foreigner in the weight room. Some of the highest scores ever recorded for the team were put up. Three skiers scored over 300 for the first time in the same test, topped by Men’s skiers Scott Weersink and Patrick Twohig who both attained a score of 322. The test measures the maximum amount of chin-ups, push-ups, sit ups, dips, and box jumps a skier can do in 1 minute, respectively. The rest of the day was spent on long distance exercises that focused on technique rather than speed.

The team continues to improve upon all aspects of the sport and looks forward to a promising season – the first on snow race is only 7 weeks away!