Coaches

Jon and Holly Strickland have lived in Port Sydney and skied as members of Arrowhead since 2005. Since 2009, they have been actively involved in the club in various capacities. They have a love for all things winter and an infectious passion for Nordic skiing. Both Holly and Jon are working on their T2T coaching certification through the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP), are registered and accredited with Nordiq Canada, are members of the Coaching Association of Ontario  and with True Sport.

As husband and wife, they take a team approach to coaching, not only with each other but also with other coaches. Guest coaches will visit Arrowhead and conversely, the team will attend training sessions at other clubs. This approach exposes athletes to varied coaching styles and to different specialized skills. It also allows coaches to collaborate on best practices and share skills and knowledge.

Holly grew up in Huntsville and competed provincially and nationally  in mountain bike racing. (She even attended one World Cup!) She started skiing as a cross-training sport for mountain bike racing. Thus, like many, she is a product of the Huntsville High School Nordic ski team. She began her coaching certifications in high school and volunteered as a Jackrabbit instructor until she graduated in 1996. She then moved to Sudbury where she developed a junior race program for Laurentian Nordic and continued her coaching certification. After graduating from Laurentian U. in 2001, Holly moved to Waterloo where she (and Jon) coached Waterloo Nordic’s junior team. Since returning to Arrowhead, Holly has acted as the Sunday Jackrabbit Coordinator, the Track Attack Program Coordinator and ARC coach.

Having grown up in Cambridge, Jon came to Nordic skiing later in life. His natural athletic abilities and love of team, saw him play competitive football, baseball and triple-A hockey. He competed in many international hockey tournaments and helped his team to win many titles, including OFSAA. Introduced to skiing by Holly, he was instantly hooked by the physical challenge it provides as well as the attention needed to perfect technique. He began coaching while living in Waterloo and since moving to Arrowhead has been a Jackrabbit instructor, a Track Attack coach and ARC coach.

Philosophy

Known as “ARC”, the Arrowhead Race Crew is an athlete-centered, coach-directed, parent-supported Nordic team. Our goal is to enable young athletes to develop their cross-country skiing race skills in a positive team environment. In order to grow in our sport, an athlete needs to feel like part of the community, have fun, learn how to train, and above all, love skiing. It is our job, as coaches, to assist athletes in achieving the above objectives as well as to achieve their own competitive goals and ski potential. Thus supporting the LTAD model for Learn to Train (L2T) and Train to Train (T2T) Athletes.

ARC 1 Program Outline

ARC 1 gives athletes between the ages of 11-18, who have an athletic background and a desire to compete, their first taste of cross-country ski racing. It is a local racing program, all races are one-day events, no more than 2 hrs from home with the exception of the Ontario Youth Championship with a focus on technique, strength and skill development in a FUN and supportive environment. Positive group dynamics and a team atmosphere motivates and supports young athletes to not only complete, but to continue to grow in the sport. 

In accordance with Sport Canada and Nordiq Canada’s LTAD model and in order to prepare athletes for the season, fall training is mandatory. In addition, athletes are expected to attend at least 2 of the scheduled races. Parents are required to support the program in a variety ways such as, attending parent meetings, driving to races, assisting with equipment and waxing etc.

Fee includes:

Coaching by NCCP L2T coaches
1 training camp
Fall Sessions (September-end of November):

Tuesdays: 6-7:30 pm
Saturdays: 10am-12pm
*Athletes are encouraged to participate in lap swim 1-2 x a week from September to December.

Winter Sessions (December-March):

Tuesday on-snow: 4 - 5:15 pm
Saturdays on-snow: 10 am-12 pm

Racing Support and wax support for:

Paid registration & coaching support and wax for 2 SOD races
Paid registration for The Muskoka Loppet
Coaching support for the Ontario Youth Championships OYC

Program Fee: $475 plus $25 Club membership fee

ARC 2 Program Outline

This program is for athletes between the ages of 13-18 who love to ski, want to challenge themselves in competition and who have at least one year of ARC 1 racing experience. These athletes are looking to make the Southern Ontario Division team, the Ontario Ski Team, a varsity team and have aspirations for future racing. Positive group dynamics and a team atmosphere motivates and supports athletes to find their personal best. While this group will meet for team practices, individuals need to be committed to training independently as well. The focus is on developing speed, intensity, and competition strategy.  

In accordance with Sport Canada and Nordiq Canada’s LTAD model and in order to prepare athletes for the season, summer training such as swimming, running, cycling and roller skiing are highly encouraged and fall training is mandatory. Races are regional or provincial events, some one-day and some multi-day. Athletes are expected to attend at least 6 races (3 Paraffin races, the Muskoka Loppet and 2 days of Ocup racing). Parents are required to support the program in various ways such as, attending parent meetings, driving to races, assisting with equipment and waxing etc. 

Fee includes:

Coaching by NCCP L2T coaches
2 training camps
Fall Sessions (September- end of November):

Tuesdays: 6-7:30 pm,
Thursdays: 6-7:30 pm
Saturdays: 10am-12 pm
Sundays: 2 to 4 hours long slow distance various locations and modalities

Winter Sessions (December- end of March):

Tuesdays on-snow 4-5:15 pm
Thursdays on-snow 4-5:15 pm
Saturdays on-snow 10 am -12 pm

Racing Support:

Coaching support for 2 O-Cup races
Paid registration & coaching support for 2 SOD races
Paid registration for The Muskoka Loppet
Wax support for all races on the ARC schedule

Program Fee: $675 plus $25 club membership fee. 

Equipment & Gear

Running shoes
Water bottle belt and water bottle
Yoga mat
Hiking/hill bounding poles (old ski poles)
Skate and Classic skis
Skate and Classic boots
Skate and Classic poles
Helmet – a helmet is mandatory when roller skiing
Biking gloves – gloves are mandatory when roller skiing
Knee pads – are mandatory when roller skiing
Snack – for after practice or during longer practices
ARC2 athletes must also have a Nordiq Canada racing license (approx. $50)

Provincial Age Categories for 2024-25

Age category for 2024-25

Cat.        YOB

U12         2013

U14         2012  2011

U16         2010  2009

U18         2008  2007

U20         2006  2005