Author Archives: robertjmcmahon

Hello Jackrabbit Managers,

Super important change for tomorrow night!

Our Thursday, 27 March 2014 “Fast Rabbits Thursday 14” has been transformed into Biathlon Manitoba’s just-announced “Zombie Ski”.

Same time. Same place. Part scavenger hunt. Part obstacle course. Part British Bulldog. Zombie evasion. Candy. On skis!

Cost is one dollar.

See attached e-mail for gruesome details.

Latest weather forecast predicting a -13 degrees Celsius air temperature with a -20 windchill at ski time. Bundle up to protect yourself against the zombie virus contagion!

Open to all Assiniboine Park Jackrabbits (and parents) who promise not to have Zombie nightmares for the next week!

Thanks,

Coach Rob

(on behalf of Coaches Ihor, Katherine, and Jeff)

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From Ron Pelletier:

Brief explanation of the Zombie Ski!

Athletes will start the course with 2 “lives” (Flag Football Tags).

They will make their way through the course, looking to collect Water, Food, Shelter and Weapons.

However, as they make their way around course, they must be on the lookout for zombies (parent volunteers) who will try to take their lives.

If a life tag is taken by a zombie, the athlete will have to complete a penalty before getting their life back and returning to course.

There may be obstacles in course, so be vigilant!

First athlete back gets first pick at the candy prize stations.

Be ready to start for 7.
Parent volunteers – Anyone is welcome to volunteer. Costumes are welcome but not necessary. If you do not have a costume you will be given something else to signify you are a zombie. Please come for 6:30 to discuss penalties and where you will be on course. The more zombies we have along course the better it will be so please come out and help!

Hello Jackrabbit Managers,

Just a couple of skiing sessions offered this week, as per the yet again newly revised official schedule (https://assiniboineparkjackrabbits.wordpress.com/assiniboine-park-jackrabbits-2013-2014-schedule):

• Thursday, 27 March 2014: “Fast Rabbits Thursday 14”. Both Coach Ihor’s and Coach Rob’s groups will meet in the clubhouse at 18:45 (not 18:30!). Technique likely to be free technique (skate). High-end videographer to be onsite making a promotional video for the Windsor Park Nordic Centre. More kids the better! Latest weather forecast predicting a -9 degrees Celsius air temperature with a -16 windchill at ski time.
• Sunday, 30 March 2014: “Spring Break Sunday (19)” sees the venue moved from Assiniboine Park to Windsor Park Nordic Centre. Rationale for location change is that this is the last day the Windsor Park Nordic Centre clubhouse will be open for the 2013-2014 winter (http://www.ccsam.ca/windsor-park-open-another-week). Meet at 13:30 on the snow within 50 metres of the clubhouse. Latest weather forecast predicting a -1 degree Celsius air temperature with a -6 windchill at ski time.

Thanks,

Coach Rob

(on behalf of Coaches Ihor, Katherine, and Jeff)

Hello Jackrabbit Managers,

You have an extension until 08:00 on Wednesday, 19 March 2014 to register for the “Wednesday Night Race #14 Costume Relay” (https://zone4.ca/reg.asp?id=6752&lan=1&cartlevel=1).

Cost is zero! Free hot dogs! Free marshmallows!

See you there!

Thanks,

Coach Rob

(on behalf of Coaches Ihor, Katherine, and Jeff)
——————————————————————————–

From: Ron Pelletier [mailto:skinnyskis@icloud.com]
Sent: Tuesday, 18 March 2014 01:03
To: Undisclosed recipients:
Subject: MEC Wed Nite costume relay

Due to so many people askng for it, and frankly as it is so nice out …we are going to host one more race in our Wed Nite series on Wednesday, Jan 19th.

The costume relay will be a fun way for us to finish off our Race series. Teams will be anounced at 7 p.m. in club house and the race will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Free Technique

PeeWee will ski 800m x 3

Big kids will ski 1.2 km x 3

Bring your costume as you will stand out if you dont.

Hotdogs and marshmallows after the race. Bring your own hot Chocolate and come celebrate the last day of Winter with us.

All racers will need to register online at Zone4. A secret code is hidden on the first registraion page. Find this code and enter it on the second page for free registration.

Great snow, warm weather, free registration, food and great people to hang out with. What are you waiting for? Registration closes at 8 a.m. on Wednesday.

Thanks for your support this year. Hope to see you out there one more time.

Hello Jackrabbit Managers,

The “Family Ski Day” at Beaudry Provincial Park is no longer just an “informal” session but rather a full-blown “official” session of the Assiniboine Park Jackrabbits. That is because it is now on our “official” schedule (https://assiniboineparkjackrabbits.wordpress.com/assiniboine-park-jackrabbits-2013-2014-schedule). All that means is that there is now $5,000,000 in third-party liability coverage in effect for that session.

Thanks to Coach Jeff for making this session happen!

Coach Rob

(on behalf of Coaches Ihor and Katherine)

Hello

I am going to add one more event to this week’s schedule. For those who can not attend Falcon Lake but would still would like to ski on Sunday, I am organizing an informal “Family Ski Day” at Beaudry Provincial Park at 1pm. While it is great to ski around Assiniboine Park, in my experience getting the kids out in nature exposes them to the real thing.

Couple things to consider

– this is a Provincial Park, you will need a park pass.

– bring snacks and drink for during and after ( we like smarties during – we call them “power pills” )

– pick a trail distance that your family can handle,

– We will meet in the main parking lot by the map kiosk.

– We will begin skiing at 1:15pm,

Map to

Beaudry Park

https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Beaudry+Provincial+Park/@49.861149,-97.464313,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x52ea05e279f613bb:0x944d22bf2bae2b50

Ski Trails Map

Click to access winter_beaudry.pdf

See you Sunday.

Jeff McMillan
St. Paul’s High School
Phys-ed Dept. Head
Cross Country/Track and Field Head Coach

831-2300 ext. 387

831-2328
jmcmillan@stpauls.mb.ca

Hello Jackrabbit Managers,

Well, as of 22:30 tonight, the official schedule (https://assiniboineparkjackrabbits.wordpress.com/assiniboine-park-jackrabbits-2013-2014-schedule) has changed again. There are three sessions now scheduled for the Assiniboine Park Jackrabbits this week. Sorry for the short notice:

• Wednesday, 19 March 2014: “Wednesday Night Race #14 Costume Relay” sees teams of young and old costumed skiers each skiing three times (each of the three free technique laps is 800 metres for ten and eleven year olds and 1200 metres for older skiers) followed by eating free barbequed hot dogs and marshmallows. It is hosted by Red River Nordic and Biathlon Club at the Windsor Park Nordic Centre. Cost is free! Register at https://zone4.ca/reg.asp?id=6752. Must register no later than 21:00 on Tuesday. Latest weather forecast predicting a -6 degree Celsius air temperature with a -11 windchill at race time.
• Thursday, 20 March 2014: “Fast Rabbits Thursday 13”. Technique likely to be free technique (skate). Coach Ihor’s group of older or more experienced skiers meet at 18:30 and go longer distances. Coach Rob’s group of younger or newer skiers will meet in the clubhouse fifteen minutes later, at 18:45, and go for shorter distances. We currently have Lauren, Chloe, Teagan, and Hayes. Please reply back to robert.mcmahon@mts.net if you think your child might be interested in skiing on Thursday evenings. The more the merrier. Latest weather forecast predicting a -2 degrees Celsius air temperature with a -6 windchill at ski time.
• Sunday, 23 March 2014: The coached “Sunday Session (18)” at Assiniboine Park has been cancelled. In its place is the mostly-not-coached “Biathlon Manitoba Mixed Relay” at Falcon Ridge Ski and Recreation Area. Assiniboine Park Jackrabbit skiers ten years old and older are strongly encouraged to participate in this event. Perhaps more importantly, this invitation is mostly directed to the many Assiniboine Park Jackrabbits parents who already like to ski and would now like to try biathlon (skiing either 4 km or 6 km in total and shooting) in a non-competitive mixed male and female team environment. Many Assiniboine Park Jackrabbit parents expressed interest in doing such an activity during the “Jackrabbit Expedition 2014” two Sundays ago. Now, we have an opportunity. See the “race” details and register no later than 21:00 on Thursday, 20 March 2014, at https://zone4.ca/reg.asp?id=6509&lan=1&cartlevel=1. Cost is $30 per person (no kid discounts). Please note that because all of the onsite Assiniboine Park Jackrabbits coaches will likely be participants in this event, no coaches will be able to supervise any Assiniboine Park Jackrabbits who are not part of the event. In other words, parents will have to supervise their Bunnyrabbits and Jackrabbits for most, if not the whole day. Helmets and how-to-stay-safe sessions would be highly recommended if your children will be tubing, to minimize the risk of needing an emergency air ambulance (http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/back-in-the-air-stars-rushes-girl-to-hospital-250436171.html). The latest Whiteshell weather forecast is predicting a -14 degree Celsius air temperature with a -18 windchill at skiing and shooting time (http://spotwx.com/products/grib_index.php?model=meteocode&zone=r1.12&tz=-5&title=FPWG51&lat=49.73704&lon=-95.20693).

Thanks,

Coach Rob

(on behalf of Coaches Ihor, Katherine, and Jeff)

Hello Jackrabbit Managers,

Today’s (Sunday, 16 March 2014) Assiniboine Park Jackrabbits “Sunday Session (17)” is indeed still on and is still at Assiniboine Park.

The latest weather forecast is predicting a -11 degree Celsius air temperature with a -22 windchill at the start of skiing today, rising to -8 air temperature and a -18 windchill by the end of the session (http://spotwx.com/products/grib_index.php?model=meteocode&zone=r1.15&tz=-5&title=FPWG11&lat=49.849&lon=-97.1497).

As such, Bunnyrabbits and Jackrabbits will likely be tucked away in the lee of the Lyric Theatre and Pavilion to keep them out of the wind. Track Attack skiers will likely go for a fast ski everywhere else.

Coach Ihor has plenty of hot chocolate and Easter treats to be consumed. Please remember to bring a mug for each kid to reduce waste.

Also, Nordic skiing swag will be handed out to all kids.

See you there!

Thanks,

Coach Rob

(on behalf of Coaches Ihor, Katherine, and Jeff)

Hello Jackrabbit Managers,

The technique for tonight’s (Thursday), 13 February 2014, “Fast Rabbits Thursday 12”, is Free Technique. That means you can do either classic or skate techniques, but that most people will chose skate techniques. The snow conditions were very fast on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and may be again tonight.

Latest weather forecast predicting a +1 degree Celsius air temperature with no windchill (I am not making this up!). Come on out and ski!

Thanks,

Coach Rob

(on behalf of Coaches Ihor, Katherine, and Jeff)

Hello Jackrabbit Managers,

Just a reminder that we have added a dozen more sessions to the official 2013-2014 schedule (https://assiniboineparkjackrabbits.wordpress.com/assiniboine-park-jackrabbits-2013-2014-schedule) and that other clubs have also rescheduled their seasons, too. So, for this week of 10-16 March 2014:

1. Tuesday, 11 March 2014: The annual for-young-kids-only “Dash for Cash” is hosted by Seine River Ski Club at the Windsor Park Nordic Centre. Head-to-head classic sprint of either 50 or 100 metres depending on school grade. “Loser” gets a chocolate loonie. “Winner” gets a metal loonie. Most kids seem to want the chocolate. Register in person between 17:30 and 18:45. Everything is done by 20:00. Must see details at http://www.ccsam.ca/event/seine-river-ski-club-dash-cash before going. Latest weather forecast predicting a -14 degree Celsius air temperature with a -20 windchill at race time.
2. Wednesday, 12 March 2014: “Wednesday Night Race #13 Skiathlon” sees the first half of the race being skied using the Classic techniques, followed by a transition to Free technique (skate) for the last half of the race (http://www.ccsam.ca/wednesday-night-race-formats) and is hosted by Red River Nordic and Biathlon Club at the Windsor Park Nordic Centre. Must register no later than 21:00 on Tuesday. Latest weather forecast predicting a -4 degree Celsius air temperature with a -12 windchill at race time.
3. Thursday, 13 February 2014: “Fast Rabbits Thursday 12”. Technique to be announced. Coach Ihor’s group of older or more experienced skiers meet at 18:30 and go longer distances. Coach Rob’s group of younger or newer skiers will meet in the clubhouse fifteen minutes later, at 18:45, and go for shorter distances. We currently have Lauren, Chloe, and Teagan interested. While we haven’t seen much of any of our skiers this winter, Coach Ihor and I think that Laura, Kate, Nika, Kevin, Liam, Hayes, and Don-Han, may want to participate in Coach Rob’s group. If I didn’t mention your skier that is simply because of an oversight on our part. Please reply back to robert.mcmahon@mts.net if you think your child might be interested in skiing on Thursday evenings, and even if they (or you) are not interested. Latest weather forecast predicting a +2 degrees Celsius air temperature (with no windchill!) at ski time.
4. Sunday, 16 March 2014: “Sunday Session (17)” at Assiniboine Park. Latest forecast predicting -8 degree Celsius air temperature with a -14 windchill.

The weather is now suitable for mere mortals to ski! Come on out!

Thanks,

Coach Rob

(on behalf of Coaches Ihor, Katherine, and Jeff)

Hello Jackrabbit Managers,

Great news!

Assiniboine Park Jackrabbits, from our youngest Bunnyrabbits right through to our oldest Track Attack skiers – and even their caregivers – will now have a Mini Biathlon talk, show, touch, and do session (put on by the Biathlon Association of Manitoba) at the biathlon range at Falcon Ridge Ski and Recreation Area. The session will very likely start at 11:00 (or shortly thereafter) and must be completed no later than 11:30 on Sunday (to make way for the official competitors).

Do you and/or your Track Attack skier (who must be ten-years old or older) want to experience hands-on prone shooting with significant shoulder-to-shoulder instruction? If the answer is yes, then please print the attached Biathlon Association of Manitoba release and waiver form, then print and sign one waiver and release form for each participant. Give these completed forms to Ron Pelletier a few minutes before the demo/activity.

Cost for this biathlon activity is free!

Therefore, our revised Assiniboine Park Jackrabbits schedule for the 2013-2014 Jackrabbit Expedition might look something like this:

• 08:45-10:45 – Drive from Winnipeg to Falcon Ridge Ski and Recreation Area.
• 10:45-11:00 – Get skate skis (if you have them) on and ski to biathlon range.
• 11:00-11:30 – Mini-Biathlon orientation at range. Ron Pelletier and his helpers intend to give us (both APJ kids and APJ parents!) up to 30 minutes of talk, show, touch, and do. Our APJ portion must be finished no later than 11:30.
• 11:30-12:30 – Skate and/or classic ski in three APJ groups.
• 12:30-12:55 – Have lunch in chalet.
• 12:55-13:15 – Watch mass start biathlon race (and first round of shooting?).
• 13:15-14:30 – Skate and/or classic ski in three APJ groups.
• 14:30-15:00 – Snack time and transition to tubing.
• 15:00-16:30 – Tubing.
• 16:30-18:30 – Drive back to Winnipeg.

If your family is intending to come along on the 2013-2014 Jackrabbit Expedition, then please reply back to me.

If you would like to car pool with another family, or you would like to offer your vehicle to carpooling, then please reply back to all so that we can try to arrange it.

Latest weather forecast is now predicting 0 to +3 degree Celsius weather at ski time with even some ultraviolet light! Yeah! It’s warm!

Thanks,

Coach Rob

(on behalf of Coaches Ihor, Katherine, and Jeff)