Ross/Devo FAQ’s
Here is a listing of some basic DEVO info that is always asked about every year. I will continue to add to it from time to time:
1) Daily Training Schedule: DEVOs meet on both Saturday and Sundays. We train from 8:30-10:30 am and then again from 12-2 pm. We meet at the top of the AB Quad at both 8:30 and 12. The children are dismissed at the end of each session from wherever they happen to be at the time – we do not reconvene at a central place at the end of each session. Please plan accordingly with your child. Please note, that throughout the season there may be changes to this daily schedule to accommodate hill space on Wardance. I will always let you know by email of any changes.
2) What kind of helmet does my child need? Your child should be wearing a full shell helmet (no soft ears) as this is what is required by USSA for participation in USSA sanctioned events. Your child does not need a slalom chin guard, and in fact should not ski with one for free-skiing or GS training. Also, no visors or moto-cross style helmets.
3) USSA and VARA memberships: In order to race, every DEVO must be a current USSA and VARA member. If you have not registered your child for these memberships, please do so ASAP. Both can be done online at ussa.org and vara.org, respectively. From the USSA Homepage go to the “membership tools” pull down menu and choose “online registration.” You will register your child as a youth non-socred competitor. Your child’s club affiliation is Okemo and we are in the Eastern Division for USSA. For VARA, on the home page you will see a section entitled “Memberships Lists and Services.” Click on either new or returning member as appropriate and that will take you to the online registration. Again the club affiliation is Okemo.
4) Winter Break Schedule: We will train during winter break. The tentative days for 2009/10 training are as follows: December 21-23, December 26 – 31 (with perhaps one or more days off in there – TBD), and January 2 (Sunday probably off for travel home). We will train according to our normal daily schedule during this time, unless I tell you otherwise. If your child can’t make it every day, it is not a big deal – I know many of you work and can’t be here the whole time, that school breaks differ, and that you have holiday obligations.
5) End of the Year Open: There is an open race for J3, J4, and J5s at Okemo on December 29th. You must enter your child yourself unlike the rest of the normal season races. You can do so at alpinereg.com. From the home page, go to VARA (you will need to scroll over in the little window until you see the icon), and then Okemo, and then you will see the race listed. You can enter and pay the entry fee all on this website. We will have coaches available to accompany any athletes that sign up. Your child must be current with USSA and VARA to enter. Please be aware that if your child is still a J6 (7 or 8 years old by Dec 31) they are not eligible. I also ask that you do not register your child if they are a first year DEVO – this race will be very intimidating for them and not a good intro to the year!
6) Does my child need a GS suit? No, but most DEVOs wear one for races.
7) Some basic race day info:
a) For any regular season Devo race (the ones on Okemo1/Okemo 2 schedule), I do all of the entries. So any child who was signed up for Okemo 1 and Okemo 2 AND is current with USSA and VARA is now entered into the race. All you have to do on a race day, is show up to registration and check your child in, pay the entry fee (which this year will be $25 at some mountains/$20 at others), and get your child’s bib. Have them put their bib on immediately. On top of their GS Suit and under all their other clothes. MAKE SURE THEY DO NOT LOSE OR MISPLACE THIS!
b) Races are run in bib order for both runs. J6 girls will go first, then J6 boys, J5 girls, and so on. Please help your child plan accordingly to make it to the start in plenty of time for their run (about 40-50 bib numbers ahead of time is good). First and second runs usually run pretty much back to back since we don’t re-set for the second run.
c) Parents are not allowed on course during inspection or near the starting gate, but are welcome up at the top of the course. Any parents who are skiing are asked to help in the portage of clothing to the bottom.
d) PANTS UN-ZIP FROM THE BOTTOM UP! : )
e) We are instituting a new program at races – a Post-race free-skiing program – to promote more time free-sking (the key to ALL your children’s success!), a love of free-skiing, and getting to know other kids and coaches from other mountains. We ask that all racers return to the finish area at the end of the second run (there will be reminder announcements) to be divided up into groups to go free-ski for an hour – they should have their jackets and pants back on over GS suits at the point. The groups will return to the finish area after one hour for awards. Your child is then free to go! It is going to be a really fun way to make sure that kids don’t lose that precious free-skiing time on race days and to meet new friends!
f) Skis should always be tuned and race ready!