Monday morning

Good morning,

I just got back from my morning bike ride. I woke at 6am put on some coffee and went up a mountain close to our house. I am trying to exercise 5 times per week.

The bike I am using now is from an old ski racing friend of mine,Gary Walthers. I guess he was cleaning his house realized he was not going to us the bike any more and decided to give it to me. Lucky! It is an older bike but a very good one! I appreciate him very much. I have so many good friends around the world. Just like many of you!

Have a great day and enjoy!

Doug

Hi From Doug

Hi everyone,

I hope you are all well! My family and myself are good.

In Canada I have not seen much news of the radiation leak in Japan. I hope the recovery is going well.

It has been a very cool and rainy spring in Kelowna. Some ski hills have stayed open much later than past years.

I have been training more myself this spring. I have been getting up at 6 am and either do a 30 minute run or 30 minute bike ride. During the run I do intervals at about 80% effort for 1 minute. I do 3 sets. My bike ride is a up hill climb for 20 minutes. I feel great! I Have more energy during the day and a much larger appetite!

I hope you are all able to improve your physical fitness this summer. Do your best!

Bye for now.

Doug

Japanese garden

Hi everyone,

I hope all of you are doing well. It has been a very cool spring here. Cool and rainy.

As I told you earlier I have inherited some bonsai trees from my Grand father. I have been busy all spring planting them and making Japanese gardens in my yard. It has been busy but fun. I actually had to go into the forests near by Kelowna to get more rocks, moss and other items. Chrissy helped me when ever I needed it.

Enjoy the pictures.

Doug

Pancake fund raiser

Hi all,

My friend who owns a restaurant did a fund raiser for Japan. Check out the out the picture.

Doug

Coaching Summit Update

Hi again,

Just finished a meeting with some of the FIS guys. This is kind of old news. The new starting age for FIS is 16.

Ages will be broken down from U21, U18, U16, U14, U12, U10. Starting in the 2012, 2013 season.

Some other topics were the importance of being physically strong in ski racing. The stronger you are the better chance you have to win. The hardest part of ski racing is the preparation in the off season. Building endurance, agility, power, strength, flexibility, and general athleticism. For the National women team, that is their main focus. The other European nations are bigger and stronger. I feel in any level that is a easy way to give your self a better chance for new personal bests!

Mental toughness is of course a vital part of your preparation. What is it? How much pain you can stand? How much you can lift? Real mental toughness is being able to follow you race plan, your training plan fully. Focus on every step and actually be fully there for each part. Meaning do not think ahead , or back. Believing in your self, your preparation. How to visualize, Set daily goals, season, 3 year 5 year, emotional control, Positive self talk, breathing, keeping a journal, and the list goes on. Top athletes in any sport are prepared in every way!

More tomorrow!

Doug

Hi From Nakaika Coaching Summit

Hi All,

I am in Nakiska , Alberta right now attending the annual national coaching summit. It is a three day seminar. On Snow and class room. Skiing in the morning and indoor during the afternoon.

Yesterday I was in the GS group. The leader of the group was Jim Pollock. He is the Head coach for the Canadian National team. Topics we talked about were course setting, line and technique. What distance they were setting 22 to 28m.

Line was a gray zone. Depending on Technique and quickness of movements. For each individual, look to move from Arc to arc to arc. The first arcs direction is dictated from the 3rd arc down the hill. Look ahead and link powerful arcs together, with no waiting between arcs(turns).

Technique, No changes really. Move from Ski to ski balanced and stacked. No, two leg pressure! Outside ski only. From Ski to ski no lose of contact on the snow. Be in a balanced position to power the ski.

Today was Super G and speed.

Always set for safety.

Keep contact on the snow and use the terrain for speed and to work on the down side. Stay in a tuck and if you open up stay in the most aerodynamic position possible. Keep your upper body low and absorb with your legs.

look for terrain changes and turns over terrain changes.

How to handle jumps. Ride over jumps with no move. Ride over jumps by pre jumping. Ride over jumps by popping it (Or springing at the lip of the jump).

More later.

Doug

Ito Karesansui garden

Hi Everyone,

I Have heard many updates about the on going recovery issues, in Japan, from Ono San! I Hope you are all ok!

On a lighter topic. I have been working on a Land scape project in my front yard. There was an unfinished slope on one side of my house. I made a series of nature rock walls and put a Karesansui style garden in the middle of it. I used some rocks from my O Gi Chans garden, and I found some in the forest close to Kelowna. It was a lot of work with very heavy lifting. We are very happy with it now and many people walking by have given us nice comments. Do you like it?

Bye for now.

Doug

Makaiya and more fund raising

Hello all!

Just to update Makaiya's fund raising. She has changed her fund raising by selling cookies. Chrissy and her made them. She has been going to businesses and asked if she could sell them there. She has made $100 to date. We are very proud of her effort.

Bye for now.

Doug

Makaiya and Cousins fund raising for Japan

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to share a compassionate story. Makaiya and her Cousins Logan and Evan made some fridge magnets and sold them in front of our house. Many people stopped and gave them money. They did it as a fund raiser for the people of Japan. They will give the money to The Red Cross. They also want to do it tomorrow. So far they have raised around $15. I am very proud of them.

Bye for now.

Doug

Hello to All

Hello,

I hope all of you are doing well. We have been following the news and have heard updates from friends in Japan. It is such a disaster ,but the people of Japan seem so calm and ready to meet each step ahead. The amount of charity , and giving is great!

In Canada there has been efforts to help Japan too. At many stores when you pay, the cashiers ask if you would like to give money for the Japan relief. It is through the Red Cross. People also have gathered for moments of silence and prayer for the people in Japan.

Thinking of you all!

Bye for now.

Doug

Update from Doug

Hello Everyone,

I am very sad to say that Ono San, Miho and I have made the decision to close Accel Ski System for the season! We are all very sad for a few reasons. Of Course we are sad and concerned about the earthquake, Tsunami and nuclear threat that Japan is having to be Challenged with!

We are also sad that the season is over early and that we were not able to say good bye to many of you! I feel so lucky to coach you all! I love seeing you improve and achieve new personal bests! I look forward to next season! I Appreciate you all very much!

I wish the best for Japan and think positive thoughts for it's full recovery! I have such a close connection with Japan and you! I wish you all the best!

Bye for now!

Doug

New model skis!

Hi everyone!

It has been a great season! It is going by way to fast. It's already March. Crazy!

I have exciting news. Rossignol has sent next years skis to us for testing. As of now we have GS 191, and 182cm. We have not tested them much yet. I did take one run in a course with them. My first impression is fast! Once my body weight was on the ski and I powered it, it really bit the snow hard and accelerated quickly down and around the fall line! It was fun to ski on that is for sure! I would like to take a few runs on it today too.

Bye for now.

Doug

Nice race results!

Hello!

I just want to say Congratulations to those who have started their busy race seasons. I have heard many have had personal bests in their races. Great! Please stay focused on your own race preparation and skiing. Other competitors should have no impact on you! Just keep pushing for new personal best performances!

Bye for now.

Doug

Happy New Year

Happy New year Everyone!

Snow conditions are improving daily in Sugadaira! The New year camp has been busy but great! Many kids which is good to see. Solid skiing from everyone to start the season.

Bye for now.

Doug

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all!

The great news is that it has been snowing for most of the day. The fore cast for the next few days is also for snow. Great news! It has been a slow start so far. So, I am very grateful for snow fall, and for the cold temperatures.

I look forward to the new year and seeing you all soon.

Bye for now. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

December 16th Update

Hello!

This week has flown by. 5 skiers or so have been here all week. We have been putting in many, many runs! Working on the basics. They look good!

Every day after skiing we have been doing stomach and back work outs! It has been fun. The group had stiff muscles for the first few days but have improved a lot. Great job!

Bye for now.

See you soon!

Doug

Monday update

It was a good weekend of free skiing! many came for the Sunday lesson!

Today it was warm but it did snow. Very heavy of course. It was snow though! It is suppose to rain tonight. Lets pray for snow.

See you soon.

Doug

First day at Tsubakuro

Hi everyone,

It was a sunny day at Tsubakuro! The snow was hard, BUT there were many , many ice balls. Good for doing our basic training though. We will ski there tomorrow too. Should be better because the snow started to melt in the afternoon.

Bye for now.

Doug

Tsubakuro open for free skiing

Good evening,

Good news ! We had a nice dump of snow last night. We are able to free ski at Tsubakuro this weekend. It is nice we can stay in the Sugadaira area now.

We will meet at 9 am at the bottom of the lift. Looking forward to seeing you!

Bye for now.

Doug

December 9 2010 update

Finally it looks like winter here in Sugadaira!!!!!! It is much cooler and has been snowing on and off from this afternoon.

Tomorrow from 1 pm Omatsu yama will open. We will ski there!

I am still not sure where we will train this weekend. I want to see the condition of Omatsu Yama. The Rossignol Opening Cup is Saturday and Sunday. I feel with having the race course on the same run as the free ski run, there will not be much room for basic training. 300 racers will be warming up and free skiing in that free space. Hare is also busy with Demo teams. 300 people! I am thinking of Hi no de ski area. The one very close to 7- 11. I will check all options tomorrow.

Bye for now

Doug