Women’s Health and Obesity

Womens Health and Obesity

A lengthy but informative article about the implications obesity has on womens health

Training has just got to be part of your game…

Whistler BC, November 15, 2010 – Maelle Ricker joins the BC Provincial Snowboard Team for their last Dryland Camp prior to the season starting.

The three-day training camp overseen by Provincial Team Coaches Chris Nakonechny, Adam Higgins and Candice Drouin focused on assessing the athletes physical capabilities before hitting the slopes next week. When asked about Ricker’s participation, Nakonechny replies “It was our intention to help bridge the gap between Canada’s High Performance athletes and our Provincial Teams by inviting Maelle. We are hoping to provide a mentorship opportunity for these young riders.”

Ricker includes, “It was great to come see all the BC athletes at their last dryland camp before the winter begins. It’s obvious that learning the proper techniques to become stronger and quicker is going to be a huge advantage for not only this season on snow, but also during the years to come in these guys and girls careers.”

Both the Provincial Snowboard Cross and Provincial Freestyle Teams have been training since June. This training has included on-snow camps in Oregon, Australia, New Zealand and Argentina. However, back home in BC there has been a major focus on Strength and Conditioning and the physical preparation required of elite athletes. There has also been a heavy focus on aerial training with the use of trampolines. The dryland camp this past weekend marks the end of the focused pre-season gym training before the Teams get back on snow when Whistler opens its lifts next Friday.

When asked about his impression of the 2011 Provincial Teams, Eric Soucy, the BC Team’s Head Strength and Conditioning Coach responds, “I’m very happy with how far this group of athletes has come. There has been a huge improvement in their body movement and awareness since June. I think that this is going to directly relate to their physical abilities on their snowboards this winter.”

Currently there are 11 athletes on the BC Provincial SBX Team and an additional 10 athletes on the BC Provincial Freestyle Team. The athletes compete in FIS and TTR events ranging from BC Snowboard Provincial Events to International World Cup races. The Teams train in two areas in the province including Big White and Whistler.
For further information please contact:

Andrew George
Athlete Program Director
BC Snowboard Association
Phone: 604 377 8337
Email: g1curious@hotmail.com
The BC Snowboard Association (BCSA) is a non-profit sport organization, which is the governing body of snowboarding within the Province. The BCSA is an organization that brings youth into a fun and supported environment while competing in a sport they love. Up and coming National Team riders and future pro athletes are bred through the BCSA and its programs.

On my book wish list

“The story of Jack O’Neill is one of the most iconic biographies of the surfing world, and I am privileged to be the one who gets to tell it,” said Kampion. “Without Jack this would be a very different world – and not just for surfers, but for ocean-lovers and adventurers of all stripes. Jack’s is a quintessential American story of creative energy and uncompromising passion; it’s about a guy who started with virtually nothing and has been flying by the seat of his pants ever since.

If only I was 16 today instead of 25…

I would go to Woodward U: A fully accredited high school that has it’s priorities straight.

How your friends impact your physique (and a bit of a rant).

Member how you mom and dad told you to read “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”? and then you didn’t?
Maybe the old adage “do as I say not as I do” needs to be reconsidered. In the video below, Dr. Nicholas Christakis, a pioneer in the field of health and social networks, talks about the extremely powerful (and virtually hidden) influence that our social network exerts on our actions, attitudes, and – ultimately – who we become.

I find this particularly interesting in the realm of snowboarding. We more often than not identify with our “crew” as an extension of our family – shred sisters to be bold. When will of binge drinking and mac and cheese get replaced with green smoothies and “slow food” ? Or do they even have to replace each other? To stay at the top of your game, take advantage of the maybe not so obvious tools available to you. Think about the food you put in your mouth. Is it enhancing your performance? Your recovery? Think about how you move. Do you do the same thing over and over? Do you have aches and pains (aside from that rib shot you took on the rail yesterday) that hinder your performance? The board-sport industry is shifting – riders are getting smarter.

If the people you spend the most time with are critical in your own growth and development as a person – as well as your own attitude toward everything from the food you eat, to the exercise you choose, to the hobbies you spend your time on – if you want to improve something about yourself, it’s probably important to consider your social network in the equation. Matt Fisher (a certified strength and conditioning specialist here in Victoria) confirmed my thoughts of how important mobility and flexibility are for allowing your body to move the way is was anatomically designed to (so your japan airs are nice an’ tweaked).

Stay tuned for recommended exercises you can do (on the hill) to help you keep throwing down (but better).

AK(47)

Getting ready for the season!

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=16266115&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=1&color=&fullscreen=1&autoplay=0&loop=0

Because- Rugged Riders 2011 from RedButton.creative on Vimeo.

Foundations for the next generation

The Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence speaker series offers insight exploring the learnings gained through the sport of triathlon and how those can be applied to your child’s development.
Speakers:
Richard Way, MBA, B. PE, Ch.P.C., Principal, Citius Performance Corp.
Kurt Innes, NCI Level 4 Graduate, High Performance Director, Triathlon Canada
Matt Fisher, MSc Candidate, CSCS, PISE Strength and Conditioning Coordinator

Click here to view all upcoming events!

Gravity Magazine Talks ACL Tears With Physical Therapist Marty Mattox

It’s every athlete’s worst nightmare. Sitting idle as your friends caravan to local skateparks or mob to the beach for an epic swell.

For those who compete, it’s like hell-on-earth. Watching helplessly as the season passes you by, your competition getting better with every fresh-powder run, every perfect glass morning behind the boat. ‘It’s just not fair,’ you mumble to yourself, knowing that you’re right–it’s not fair. ACL injuries never are.

Click here to read more

A little bit about Gretchen Bleiler

Gretchen aspired to compete in the Olympic Games from a very young age and she found her passion, Snowboarding, at age 11. She has been ridding ever since, and is now recogizned as a role model and pioneer in the sport.

In early 2008, Oakley launched the Gretchen Bleiler Collection, their first ever athlete-dedicated signature line of outerwear, clothing, goggles and accessories.

Gretchen founded the first-ever, all girl snowboard Halfpipe competition, the COVERGIRL Snow Angels Invitational in 2008. The event includes top female snowboarders from all over the world.

In January 2010, Gretchen took home her 4th Winter X Games’ win and set a Guinness World Record for “Most Winter X Games Gold in Women’s Halfpipe Finals.”

Gretchen returned to compete in her 2nd Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, Canada holding gone of the four female spots on the US Olympic Snowboard Team.

In March 2010, Gretchen was chosen as one of the “10 Women to Watch in 2010” by Barbie and the White House Project. As a part of this roll, Gretchen was committed to mentor a girl in celebration of Take Our Daughters to Work Day and urging others to get in involved.

Gretchen is also an active spokesperson in the fight against global warming, working closely with stopglobalwarming.org to build awareness around this important cause.

This past year Gretchen, alongside her husband Chris Hotell, co-founded an exciting new brand, ALEX, a revolutionary twist on the water bottle.

Get your snow legs on!

A recent article from our friends at DYLA Magazine…
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For most of us action sports enthusiasts, no season is endless- no endless summer, no endless winter- the beauty of a balanced year is that you get to see your friends both in the surf and on the slopes- the hurdle being the preparation and training necessary to transition from waves to powder. To ensure you spend more time riding, and less time injured you need to build up your strength. So tut down the beer, grab some tea, and grab a few pointers before the snow falls.

Click here to read more!