In one week it's turned from summer to winter. The snow's arrived in Norway,
the central heating's on again and thoughts are again turning to the winter
ahead.

We welcome Alan Eason to our course lineup this weekend. Freshly back from
glacier training in Austria, Alan will be bringing some of his expertise to Hyde
Park, taking skiers who have the basics of classic and skating, to the next
level.


COURSES COMING UP

We have a 4-week skating course beginning 11th September, the last of 2006.
See – http://www.rollerski.co.uk/events2.html

Our intermediate / advanced courses with Alan Eason start this weekend, still a
small number of places available. See –
http://www.rollerski.co.uk/alancourses.html


HYDE PARK AND RICHMOND PARK CLASSES

Why not join us for a refresher class in Hyde Park or Richmond Park this
weekend? It looks set to be excellent, crisp winter conditions –

Book on http://www.rollerski.co.uk/class.html


DORNEY COURSES

Our Dorney day on 19th November is now completely booked up. We have places
left on our 10th December course, and I have just added another Dorney date for
26th November.

http://www.rollerski.co.uk/events3.html

In the New Year, we hope to add another venue, Dunsfold Park near Guildford in
Surrey. This is a privately owned airfield with some very good tarmac, and is
the home of the Top Gear BBC TV programme. Its owner is himself a keen
rollerskier, and very keen to welcome us along.


NORWAY & ITALY TRIPS

Our trips, I'm glad to say, are filling up. There are only a few places
remaining now on the Norway trip, and the Italy trip has taken a few bookings.

I've added a brief profile of Andy Klimacki, who will be classic instructor on
the Norway trip, to the web page, www.rollerski.co.uk/cross.html - there is a
'You Tube' link which features Andy in another guise, as shooting and running
coach to a nationally successful tetrathlon team.

The snow arrived in Sjusjoen this week - you can visit the webcam to have a look
-
http://www.sjusjoen.nu/


NSSW PRESS DAY

We're still looking for volunteers to take part in the opening press day of
National Ski & Snowboard Week on 12th November. Let me know if you can make it
– we've got to be on the Mall outside the Carlton House Terrace steps at 1.45,
meet at the normal Hyde Park carpark 1pm. Press arrive 2pm. Should be a good
tour.

See www.nssw.co.uk for more information on the week.


WOBBLE CUSHION

Balance is somewhat useful in cross-country skiing. Well, it's essential
really. A quick way to build up balance, control and ankle strength – which is
often the `missing link' when you start skiing from other sports – is to use a
`balance cushion'.

There are lots of people selling these, and they make an excellent investment or
early Christmas present. A good selection is on sale at –
http://www.physio-line.co.uk/acatalog/Balance_and_Wobble_Boards.html


BLUE PETER

If you switch on to the BBC children's show Blue Peter on Monday afternoon may
see a few rollerskiers among the children's 'conga'. Watch out for them if you
can!


OTHER NEWS

I've put up a profile of newly qualified instructor, Laura Long –
http://www.rollerski.co.uk/profilelaura.html

We've recently had a delivery of new Swix Alulite poles. This season they're
blue with cork handles –
http://www.rollerski.co.uk/buy.html


INTERESTING SKI ARTICLES –

• a good one on classic - http://www.masterskier.com/article.asp?AID=67
• interesting skate 1 exercise -
http://www.masterskier.com/articles/0405raceseason/keytothev1.html
NB the Americans use different skating terms from Snowsport England –
Skate 1 = V1
Skate 2 = V2
Skate 3 = V2 alternate
• report on opening ski race of 2006/7 Season in Dusseldorf GER –
http://www.fasterskier.com/racing3670.html


Good rollerskiing and hope to see you soon!

Iain



Iain Ballentine
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Roller ski instruction & cross-country skiing
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W: http://www.rollerski.co.uk

E: iain@...
M: 07968 286129
T: 020 8348 2540
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