Coaches' Educational Seminar

DATE: Saturday, September 20th
TIME: 9am - 5pm
COST: $75 ($85 after Sept 1) ( Registration Form )
LOCATION: Okemo Mtn Resort

The VARA Coaches Educational Seminar is the most prestigious educational program in the East. The seminar is an ongoing educational resource available to everyone involved with alpine ski racing including, coaches, parents and Alpine Officials. It is VARA's goal to educate and update the competitive racing community by recruiting innovative and cutting edge experts in their respective fields. The Seminar staff is teeming with knowledge both factual and at times controversial regarding all aspects of alpine ski racing.

The 2008 seminar boasts some of the best speakers and topics yet! Each will bring participants up to date with ski racings current trends.

VARA Fit Day is on Sunday. Ski industry representatives and retailers will be present to size, fit and advise VARA program members for equipment needs for 2008!! Bring your club coach and get your equipment sized and ordered.

Education Seminar Featured Speakers:

(Subject to Change)

Daniel F. O'Neill MD, EdD & Len Zaichkowsky PhD.

"Quantifying and Contaminating the Mind Body Connection" - Dan and Len will discuss Bio Feedback techniques that are bringing sport psychology techniques from the mind and body. Dr O'Neill's theory of "injury contagion," being published this September, will also be discussed. Dr O'Neill's new book Knee Surgery: The Essential Step by Step Guide to Total Knee Recovery will be introduced to show how the mind/body connection can work even for non-athletes.

James Vyhnak

( Brain Injury Association of VT. ) James founded the Association and will discuss the causes, effects, signs and symptoms of concussion and it's affects on young athletes.

Related: The Centers for Disease Control Concussion Tool Kit for Coaches. All of the coaches should have a copy.

Tom Barbeau

( Executive Director of Athletics, Alpine Program Director and Head JIII Coach for WVBBTS ) - Tom will present on the Burdenko Method and training the 6 qualities of fitness (balance, coordination, flexibility, endurance, speed, strength). He will focus on the first three qualities. Tom will also talk about water as it pertains to training and recovery. Tom is a graduate of McGill University in Canada with a bachelor's degree in Education and a master's degree in Physical Education. Tom is fully certified in the Burdenko Method for conditioning developed by Russian Sports Scientist Igor Burdenko. Tom has been named the USSA Eastern Alpine and NHARA Coach of the Year. He is the ex-Canadian National Team Coach and has also served as the South African Olympic coach at the Nagano and Salt Lake City Olympics.

Industry Panel

Some of the ski industry's top reps will be available to answer questions and discuss the directions of their companies as well as the direction in which FIS is headed in the future.

Stever Bartlett

( Head Coach of Middlebury College Ski Team and former USST coach ) Stever will review and analyze technique with video and comparisons.

Cost:

The cost for the VARA Coaches Educational Seminar is $75 if before September 1. After September 1, and onsite registration is $85.

Detailed Schedule

• 8:00 - 8:45 ~ Registration for Seminar & Clinic- Coffee and Muffins, INDUSTRY EXPO
• 9:00 - 10:15 ~ Concussion-James Vyhnak - Brain Injury Association of VT
• 10:15 - 11:30 ~ Tom Barbeau - Burdenko Method and training the 6 qualities of fitness
• 11:30 - 12:30 ~ Industry Panel
• 12:30 - 1:30 ~ LUNCH & INDUSTRY EXPO
• 1:30 - 2:45 ~ Stever Bartlett
• 2:45 - 4:15 ~ Dan O'Neill and Len
• 4:15 - 5:00 ~ Networking /discussion

INDUSTRY EXPO!

DATE: Saturday, September 20th
TIME: 12:15 - 1:15 or so.
COST: FREE OF CHARGE for participants and general public!! Come check it out!!
There will be a Ski Industry Expo open to the public and for seminar participants. The expo is a great way to make preseason contacts with manufacturers and to get those last minute products before the season! Vendors include Atomic Skis, World Cup Supply/Dartfish Video Analysis Systems, Reliable Racing Supply, Swix Ski & Sports, .... and more .... !

Registration Form

Attending industry reps: Atomic, Dynastar, Fischer, Salomon, Elan, Volkl, Rossignol Tecnica, Lange, Dolomite, Blizzard and many more……