G2C Camp

[icemom60]

Is anyone sending their skater to the Grassroots to Champions Extreme camp this summer? It's being held at Shattuck-St. Mary's in Faribault, MN from Aug. 3 - 7th. I'd be interested to know if anyone's had their skater participate in any of their seminars. We're considering the camp but I'd like to hear from anyone who has experience with them. Thanks for your help.

[rsk8d]

I've heard very good things about Grassroots to Champions. Their coaches have come up with some great training tools, and i've heard positive feedback about their seminars.

[PinkLaces]

G2C is holding a day long seminar at our rink next Saturday. My DD is signed up to for it. I won't be able to observe it, because I have to pick up my other DD from camp. I hopefully I'll be able to make it back for the 4:00 parent session.

[icemom60]

Thanks for the feedback. I've heard good things from others I've asked also.

[PinkLaces]

I picked up my DD from the G2C seminar awhile ago and thought I'd report back. This was a one day seminar with Audrey Weisger, Buddy Lee, Sheila Thelen, and Tommy Steenberg was also there to demonstrate jumps.

The seminar mostly focused on jumping technique. They stressed proper technique. They used an off-ice jump harness. This was different than the normal one they use at our rink. They spun the kids in the air in the jump rotation position. One of the sessions focused on jumps & spins using the champion cords. There was also an on-ice session where they worked on axels or doubles(we don't have any super high level skaters at our rink). They talked about Dartfish analysis.

Off-ice - they did drills with and without the harness. They had one class on jump rope fitness and another one on physical fitness for skating.

At the end, Tommy did some triple jumps for the parents and skaters. Then showed the progression of single to double to triple. He ran through parts of his programs to show the skaters. Sheila talked to parents while he did this and Audrey talked with the skaters. After about 15 minutes, we went into the off-ice room. Buddy showed us part of the jump rope training he'd shown the skaters. Audrey talked about the roles of skaters, coaches, and parents. She didn't have time for questions because she had a plane to catch.

My DD really enjoyed it and thought it was really helpful. They did get a lot of information(and no hand-outs). A mult-day seminar (like you were looking at) would probably be good to re-enforce concepts and go a little more in-depth.

[CoachPA]

I have not been to one of these seminars, but I use many of the G2C techniques in my coaching, which I have learned while working with fellow colleagues who have been to these seminars. I'm hoping to eventually get a group of my skaters together and attend a G2C seminar in the future. From what I know about the jump techniques specifically, I'd likely only bring my beginning-axel skaters and higher level jumpers.

As a side note, I really respect Audrey's coaching philosophies and techniques (jumps and esp. spins) and believe it'd be beneficial for any skater to work with her given the opportunity.