Vancouver Island’s only snowboard freestyle club wants more girls to join their group – so far they only have one, Kirsty Macdonald.
“We’ve had several girls who are talking to us” about joining, VI Riders Vice-President David Donald said. “We’re trying to encourage female ridership.”
This is the second year that Donald and his wife Kelsa, who is President of the Organization, have run the Snowboarding Club. One of their goals, says Donald, is to see the Club grow from the present 18 or 19 members.
The VI Riders have both a development and a competitive stream in their 13-week program. The Club delivers professional coaching in disciplines including slopestyle, park, free riding and rails.
The Development Program runs on Saturdays and the Competitive Program on Sundays. There are several events that the recreational participants can compete in at Mount Washington, Donald said. The more competitive Club Members race in B.C. Snowboard Association Events in other resorts such as Big White, Cypress and Grouse Mountain.
VI Riders Coaches include Dane Kaechele, an eight-year coaching veteran, Linden Ruecker (seven years), Mischa Christian, who has been riding for 15 years, and Brett Kirton, who has been riding for eight years.
This year the Club welcomes a Paralympic competitor, who is also an instructor with the Adaptive Snowsports Program at Mount Washington Alpine Resort.
For more information about the VI Riders, go online to www.viriders.org, e-mail viriders@yahoo.ca or phone the Donalds at (250) 923-0523.