Archive | BKL Race Blog

Ski and Gear Swap 2024 was great!

Thanks for an awesome swap! This event continues to grow…we had a ton of great gear to sell, which says a lot in two different ways:

MNC and community members were eager and happy to contribute their Nordic ski stuff to the event and pass it onto others
Folks got access to lots of great Nordic ski gear at great prices, and kept these items cycling through our own community

We had a great bake sale and lemonade stand, more boots than ever, and lots of skis from touring boards all the way to World Cup stock race skis. For the first time in swap history, we had a line gathered from the front door, over around the corner of the building. People were pumped to be a part of this event!

The calm before the storm…swap setup on Saturday night

The swap was a great way to connect with many friends and members. People were enjoying the company of fellow skiers, new athletes were learning about the sport, and everyone from BKL kids to high school racers were picking up equipment and clothing that will be important in the coming year.

A few notes, now that the 2024 swap is over:

We have BKL skate skis, poles and boots to lease, in addition to our classic gear. Thanks to Fischer and Skirack for this new addition to our offerings! Click below to find out about lease gear.

BKL Equipment 101

Other swaps are coming up! This weekend (Oct 18/19) is the Skirack Swap
November 4/5 is the Cochrans Swap
Did you pick up some skis at the MNC swap that need a stonegrind? Head to Skirack for a MNC swap special where you can get a discount on a new grind to refresh those swap skis! Just $55 per pair!

Sweet new BKL skate lease skis!

Directions + Tips to register for BKL Winter Programs

By Liz Hollenbach on 29 September, 2024 in BKL Race Blog, BKL Training Schedule

Registration opens October 1st at 9am.

Before you get started on registration here is some information and tips that will hopefully make everything go smoothly.

It is easiest to register on a computer and not a phone.

The Process (all the reg links below will be live once registration opens)

Step 1: Go here to sign up for your annual MNC Membership. This membership is required before signing up for programs. You will receive an automated email shortly after registering for your membership. This email includes your unique membership number. If you don’t see it at first check your junk mail box.

Step 2: Go here to check out the program options and confirm your child’s group name.

Step 3: Go here to sign up for programs. You will need to enter your unique MNC Membership number at the top of this page to register for programs.

But before you start…

Registration tip for great communication: Most of our communications come through the MNC Website and weekly E blast. The E blast goes to the email address that was used on the membership signup and the programs signup. If you want both parents or guardians to receive the E blast, then use one email address to sign up for the MNC Membership and the second email address to sign up for Programs.

Scholarship Info: If you are considering applying for a MNC Scholarship we encourage you to fill out that form as soon as possible and before signing up for programs. Hold off on registering for programs until you hear back about your Scholarship request. Scholarships Info

Multiple Child Discount: MNC offers a multiple child discount. This discount applies after the first full price 2- day or 3-day enrollment. Additional children enrolled in the Winter 2 day & 3 day programs from the same family receive a $50 discount. This discount does not apply to additional children enrolled in our Penguins 1-Day program. All of the discount codes are listed within the registration form.

The registration form will ask you about your plans while your child is at ski practice. This is a list of the Parent Options while your child skis:

MNC Masters Programs: This program includes Range Access and group coaching for adults during BKL practice times. More Info
Range Access Program: This pass gives you access to ski at the range on Tuesdays and Thursdays during BKL Practice. Sign Up Here
Penguin Parents: Parent’s of Penguin skiers are required to ski with their child at practice on Tuesdays and no other pass required.
Coach: If you have ski experience and are interested in coaching or being a substitute coach please reach out. bkl@mansfieldnordic.org
Don’t ski: Just drop your child off.

If you have any questions please feel free to reach out.

We can’t wait for winter!

Liz

bkl@mansfieldnordic.org

FreeFall Fun in BTV

By Adam Terko on 24 September, 2024 in BKL Jackrabbits, BKL Race Blog, Junior Blog, Masters Blog

MNC and NENSA held the first edition (or at least “new version”) of the FreeFall on Sunday. This was billed Burlington’s Rollerski Festival and we hope that with a successful and fun proof-of-concept this year we can grow things in years to come!

The hub was an awesome location: the back parking lot of the Burton factory store in the south end of the city. The trees were turning bright colors, the sun was out, and a fast and flowy course was laid for some sprint racing.

The course looped around two separate lots, with a few slaloms and lots of curves and high speed. As close to an F1 street track as you can get for rollerskiing! After a qualifying round, skiers raced in heats of three. Because we used a court-style format, everyone got to race three rounds: win your heat and move up, finish in the middle and retain your bracket position, finish 3rd and jump down to the next heat.

Fall rollerskiing at its finest

While there may have only been 15 competitors, those were some speedy and capable skiers! The day ended with awards from MNC, NENSA and Skirack, some pizza and cookies, and good vibes.

But a festival isn’t just for racing! Not long after the competition portion ended, the games and toys were brought out! Lots of young rollerskiers got to try their skills and learn about the sport with NENSA’s Swenor fleet, and the parking lot was taken-over in a totally different way.

While the kids were skiing around, playing games, getting facepaint, and enjoying the company of a rollerskiing cow (thanks Hanna!) the Masters group ski also took off for a trip down the bike path. The sun was still shining, and the path was abuzz with bikers and runners all enjoying the cool recreation opportunity Burlington offers.

This event wasn’t as large as we’d hoped it would be this year, but the seed has been planted. Thanks so much to our volunteers, NENSA, Skirack, Burton, and Burlington itself for a really fun time!

FreeFall Event Photos: BKL/Masters

FreeFall Event Photos: Sprint Race

FreeFall Sprint Results

BKL Kids Warmup Jackets — Order Here

By Liz Hollenbach on 16 September, 2024 in BKL Race Blog, BKL Training Schedule, Uncategorized

BKL Kids Puffy Warm Up Jackets

These jackets are optional, but great for cold days at practice, wearing to events, races and school. If you have a jacket from last year that is too small and needs a new home – try selling it at the Ski Swap, pass it to someone else in the club or let us know and we’ll help you get it to another MNC skier.

Purchase your own jacket using one of the links options below.

Columbia (Black) | Eddie Bauer (Blue Saphire or Black) | Lands End (Nautical Blue or Black)

If you find another good jacket let us know and we’ll add it to the list of purchase options. The goal is to have all our team jackets be either black or royal/bright blue.

Embroidery – MNC Logo on the front and Mansfield Nordic Club on the back
1. Drop off jackets by October 20th to Coach Liz
  1. Option 1 – At the MNC Ski Swap on October 12 or 13
  2. Option 2 – On the front steps at Coach Liz’s house in Jericho or make another arrangement. Email bkl@mansfieldnordic.org for details.
2. Make sure your name is on the inside of your jacket
We’ll bring all the jackets to be embroidered and have them back late November. This will be approximately $20 per jacket. Payment due after the embroidery is complete.

FreeFall Rollerski Festival: Volunteer Signup

By Adam Terko on 2 September, 2024 in BKL Race Blog, Junior Blog, Masters Blog

On September 22nd, NENSA and MNC are presenting The FreeFall: Burlington’s Festival of Rollerkiing. Join us at Leddy Park for a slate of events to get the skiing spirit ready for winter!

This busy day will feature activities for all ages and abilities…