Events Information 09-10

KNSC ANNUAL MEETING - NOVEMBER
Kick off a new season at the Annual Meeting in November. Find out what the club accomplished last year and hear about new goals and dreams. Meet the Board of Directors and Board candidates to be elected at the Annual Meeting. Any current member who is present at the meeting is eligible to vote. Meet Committee Chairs and sign up for volunteer opportunities. Bring a salad or dessert to share and enjoy socializing with fellow skiers. The main dishes will be supplied by KNSC. Door prizes will be drawn. Help raise money for KNSC by bidding on silent auction items.

SKI SWAP - NOVEMBER
The annual Homer Community Schools Ski Swap takes place in the Homer High School Commons in November. Winter clothing, winter gear, skates, snowboards and of course skis, are all welcome. There is no charge to sell or swap but participants are asked to be responsible for displaying, pricing and removing their unsold items. The action and best deals happen quickly so being there at the start is a good idea. Even if you have nothing to sell and nothing you need, it is still a great start of the season. Contact: Mike Illg – Homer Community Schools.

HOMER WOMEN’S NORDIC – ALL SEASON
Megan Spurkland leads the Homer Women’s Nordic group. The group is intended for those skiers looking to improve their technique and establish a regular training program. Racing is encouraged but not required. The group focuses on both skating and classical techniques. Practice is held six times a week.

The group has skiers ranging in age from 20s to 60s. They hold dry land practices until the snow falls. They travel to at least one classical and one skate race out of Homer.

It is exciting to see this group of women hone their skiing skills and power down the trails. Watching them will definitely convince you that women only get tougher and stronger as they get older. Please join the group if you are interested… you must be a member of the Kachemak Nordic Ski Club, and there is an additional fee of $100. Contact: Megan Spurkland.

HOMER MEN’S NORDIC – ALL SEASON
Jan Spurkland leads the Homer Men’s Nordic group. The men’s group does not meet as many times each week, but has similar goals as the Women’s group.

WINTER BACKCOUNTRY FILM FESTIVAL – DECEMBER
The Alaska Quiet Rights Coalition and KNSC will co-host a night of film at the Homer Family Theater. The festival showcases inspirational and thought-provoking films from amateur and pro filmmakers that will inform you about backcountry and environmental issues as well as entertain you with varied aspects of exceptional skiing and snowboarding. This is organized each year by the Winter Wilderness Alliance to promote human-powered winter sports. Door prizes will be given at intermission.

SKI YOUR AGE
This is a new event that may happen this winter. Stay tuned. Contact: Megan and Jan Spurkland.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS IN JANUARY
This tiki torch lighted ski tour happens in January, snow and weather permitting. The tour is set up Friday night and will be repeated Saturday night. The Tour is usually starts at the DOT-Sterling Highway Trailhead. The approximately 3 km Raven’s Way loop, lit by nearly 100 Tiki Torches, is a unique ski experience for all ages and abilities. There will be a fire and hot chocolate is served. Stay after skiing to enjoy the fire and the company. Snowshoes are also encouraged. Head lamps are recommended to help on dark nights. Torches are lit by 6 PM. The fee is $10.00 per adult, but larger donations are encouraged. Kids are free (accompanied by an adult). This is a fund-raiser for the KNSC. Contact: Dave Brann

BEGINNER SKI CLINICS – SKATE AND CLASSICAL
Beginning skiers can get group lessons in January. Private lessons are also offered by several experienced skiers with proceeds to go to KNSC.

BESH CUP - EVERY OTHER YEAR - JANUARY
Two races are held every other year in Homer. We are scheduled for 2010. This is part of the Cross Country Alaska USSA race series. Every year, two races are held on the Kenai Peninsula. Soldotna and Homer take turns and help each other if snow conditions make it impossible for either area to host the event.

JUNIOR NORDIC – SATURDAYS – JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH
Junior Nordic provides lessons to youths, aged 4-12. Participants must be members of the KNSC and there is an additional $15 fee for each student. The fee supports grooming, trail construction, and plowing. Lessons happen for seven weeks beginning at the end of January and continuing through early March. Registration is on the first day of lessons. Classes normally meet on Saturday at the Lookout Mountain Ski Trails at 1:00 p.m. and are over between 2:15 and 2:30.

The coach/skier ratio is about 8 to 1. This may or may not include an additional helper. The quality and commitment of our Junior Nordic coaches and helpers is a big reason why the program has had good participation. We average 65-80 participants. The skier’s age and ability are the criteria for grouping. Skiers are divided into groups by the coaches, generally at the first Saturday lesson. We encourage anyone who has interest in coaching or helping, to contact us. If you do not feel comfortable being a coach, you can still help, reducing the coach/skier ratio and having lots of fun. We will have coach/helper training at 11:00 a.m. of the first Saturday. You will find, as we have, the delight in sharing the love of the sport with our youth. Contact: Kurt Marquardt

HOMER HIGH SCHOOL SKI TEAM DINNER/AUCTION
This dinner and auction is a major fundraiser for the high school ski team. It is being held this year on February 13 at 7pm at “The Barn” (Harmon and Pauli Hall’s place). The meal is provided by Carrie Thurmond of Two Sisters Bakery and will be followed by an auction. Tickets are $80 and can be purchased at the bookstore or by a phone call to Laura Miller (235-7130).

HOMER SKI FOR WOMEN AND HAVEN HOUSE - FEBRUARY
Homer’s Ski for Women and Haven House is a fundraiser to help with violence against women and families. After grooming costs, all funds go to South Peninsula Haven House. The location is Lookout Mountain. Costumes are encouraged with prizes for a variety of categories. Contact: Kris Holdereid

WINE & CHEESE and WOODEN SKI - FEBRUARY
The location for this tour varies every year. There is a reduced fee for KNSC members. Participants are encouraged to use their wooden skis and/or dress in classic costume. Time to dig out those wool knickers, wool socks, fur parkas, etc. etc. etc.…. Door prizes will be available for participants who use wooden skis or dress in costume.

KACHEMAK MARATHON SKI - MARCH
The course is truly and fittingly cross-country – beginning at the Lookout Mountain ski trails and then wending its way down/up/down/up/down creeks and ridges to the Baycrest ski trails some 25K or 40K (your choice) away. We won’t lie to you – the course is NOT Easy. But the views are so sublime and our snow is so terrific that you’ll hardly notice the pain. Contact: Marylou Burton

SEA TO SKI TRIATHLON – 5K RUN, 7K BIKE, 5K SKI – CLOSEST SUNDAY TO APRIL FOOLS DAY
Participants in the annual Sea to Ski Triathlon are reminded to come early to register. The Triathlon can be done by ironman or ironwoman or by teams. It consists of approximately a 5 K run from Mariner Park to West Homer Elementary, a 7 K bike ride up West Hill to the Roger’s Loop Road Trailhead and a 5 K ski to the Sterling Highway –DOT Trailhead. The chief of race may make trail changes depending upon conditions. Registration will be held at the Mariner Park Gazebo at the base of the spit and a required race meeting will be held at noon. There is a discount for KNSC members. Participants under 18 will need a parent or guardian present to sign a waiver. Helmets are required for bicyclists. All participants and volunteers will be entered in the door prize drawing at the end of the race. You must be present to win a prize.