Golf membership for Makaiya

Makaiya is a member of the Kelowna Golf and Country Cub! The Club is very supportive of the junior program! And very affordable! 30,000yen for the year! She played her first 9 holes today! Kind of cool though!

Canada music and History

Makaiya Performed in a musical based on Canadian history and folk songs! It was very well done! It was performed along side the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra. We are very proud of all the kids, musicians, teachers ,and the people that make Canada what it is!

Hi from Doug

Hi everyone, I am settled in to my life here. Chrissy and Makaiya are also home from France. They had a very nice time there! Both were very happy yet sad to come home. They both of course miss Tajanna, Seb, and the new baby, Zion! I am organizing a summer camp. At Mt. Hood, Oregon, USA, 2 weeks in length, Focus will be on building basic ski racing skills, and improving overall body speed and strength. Now is the time to improve in That area. The stronger and faster you are the better chance you have to ski fast! You can do many workouts in your own house! Do your best! Good Luck! Doug

First week in Canada

Hello all! It has been a smooth move back to Canada. Even my jet lag was not so bad. Always many things to do when I return home of course. Chrissy and Makaiya are in France so I came home to an empty house. Super lonely!!!!!! Just Izzy and me! I will write more about Chrissy and Makaiya next time. The weather here has been cool! Too bad. I was hoping to play golf! Well I did play. First game was a 81. Not bad for the first round of the year. Also went to my moms house. She lives at the local ski area, Big White ski Resort! Still cold and snowy up there. Lots of other work around the house and preparation for my Canada life. Most is completed now! Nice. Also, looking into details for the summer camp in Oregon. Time for winter preparation for all of you. The stronger and quicker you are, the better chance you have to ski fast! Work it! Bye for now. Doug

Doug's return to Canada

End of the season for me in Japan. It is always a emotional time for me. I am excited to return home to see my family and Canadaian friends, but sad to leave my friends and family in Japan. It is an amazing feeling! I am so fortunate be be able to feel this though. It is a special oppertunity! Thank you, all of you! It was a excellent season in many ways! I am very happy with the style we have trained the past 2 years. Basic skill drills followed by regular gate training. Racers are able to focus on specific movements and repeat them at certain locations leading up to the course. Very efficient! I feel because of the basic drills many of you have increased your level of skiing emmensly! I know some of you want to start from the very top of the race hill though. We will do that at certain times only. Other great point are the great personal best race results I have heard about! I am so proud of all of you for your efforts! Super!!! Special Thanks to Ono San, the Takasawa family, Hotel Zonntaggu, Tsubakuro / Omatsu yama, our sponsors, Takumi, my Japanese family. I guess, ALL OF YOU!!!!! I am so gratefull!!!!! Bye for now!! The photo of the Japanese family are my relatives in Saitama! The Gai jins are of my brothers kids and my mom!

Last day Update

Thank you everyone who came out this past weekend! I was shocked to how many wanted to still train! The most ever on the last day! I am tired but am very grateful that you choose to ski race with Accel! I am also grateful for the whole Accel Team. Ono San, The Takasawa Family, Matsura San and family, the Sugadaira area and all of our sponsors! Excellent season! Great race results and new personal bests for all.

Friday Update

Today was hot! Snow is melting fast. Good thing this is the last weekend here! We trained SL today! The guys trained hard in the heat! More improvement in upper lower body separation! Also worked on flush combinations and how to ski them. Nice work! The courses did stay in good condition. A smooth rut. The last weekend coming up. Looking forward to seeing those who are training. See you tomorrow!

March 28 Update

It was a hot day today!!!!! We kept the ruts in the course smooth, with just one bag of snow cement! Awesome! We did some different drills in the course. Working on the end of the turn. Upper lower body separation! Lots of kids here now. Spring Break! Thanks to all that are here training! I am thrilled to have the opportunity to coach you! The group at dinner! Yum!! Pizza!

Monday Update

The first thing I would like to say is congratulations to all those who performed in races lately! I have heard some SUPER results! Very proud of everyone's efforts! It has been such a great season! Second, the training was good today. The snow slowly softened, but was very solid for most of the morning! I am teaching a lot in the basic skill areas. It is really paying off in your skiing. See you soon!

Sunday Update

It was a nice weather day today!!! Sunny and warm! The snow is melting fast! Yikes! We trained GS and SL. I am very pleased with how everyone has been working hard in the basic training areas! It really shows in your skiing! Nice work! Great skiing in the races this past weekend! Congratulations to everyone! Looks to be busy through the week. Lots of juniors! See you soon

Doug is now an O Gi Chan!!!!!!

Yes, it is true!!!!! My daughter Tajanna gave birth yesterday to Zion. A Boy! And yes I am a grand Father! Feels incredible! I still feel very young myself. At least I can play many different games with him when we are together! Tajanna and him are doing well! Very healthy and happy, including Seb, the happy father! Congratulations to the new family! Skiing was ok today! Foggy for the morning, so we did basic drills! Nice work. Should be better weather tomorrow! Bye for now!

Friday Update

Warm day,but the snow was stable! Too bad they did not groom the runs though. It was a little bumpy on the flats, but I manged to avoid most of the big ruts when I set the course! Looks to be good for Saturday. Cool and no rain or snow in the forecast! Good luck to those in races!

SL Training!

Super cold day today! Hard snow, but snow packing was very bad. Ice walls! UHG! Meet the SL group!

March 20 Update

Another warm day! Great spring skiing! GS set was a little more off set today. The group had a little trouble with it! Better have a better look in inspection!!! SL was a basic set day. The group did well! Nice work!