Coaches

Dylan HendersonProgram Director and U12 Head Coach

Dylan Forerunning

I’ve been skiing since…

My parents were not skiers so I didn’t discover skiing until I was 7. I learned to ski with my dad at the Salmo Ski Hill. We fell off of the Tbar many, many times.

My experience with ski racing started…

My grade 3 teacher at the Ymir school told my class about ski racing with the Salmo Ski Team and me and my friends decided that we would do it. This teacher offered to drive us all to the ski hill for night training on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school and so 6 of us would hop into her huge 1980 Lincoln Continental with all our ski gear in the trunk.

What do you love about skiing?
Amazing way to experience the mountains
I love the feeling of floating between turns. There is a moment of where the world goes silent, time slows down, and nothing else matters.

“My approach to coaching can best be described as…
Or for new coaches, what makes you want to coach?”
Positive. I put effort into motivating and making the hard work seem fun. I get pretty stoked, especially when the snow is really firm… or really deep.

“What is the best part of being a Whitewater coach?
New coaches, what do you know about the Whitewater Ski Team ?”
I love embracing the powder culture of Nelson and Whitewater while also showing families that there is this amazing world of fun with ski racing and performance carving on the groomers.

Words of Wisdom:

Effort is all that is needed to get you to your goals. Lots of effort

Al Bull – U14 Coach

Al Bull

Al grew up on a ski hill in Ontario, being involved with skiing and ski racing his entire life.

He is a very experienced, advanced-level coach, coaching U16 programs around the Kootenays, including Salmo for several years, as well as the Whitewater team as the head coach in the 1990s. He is a huge asset to the team and to the Kootenay zone.

When not skiing, Al can be found hanging out with his kids and engaging in his other passion … fishing.

Jackie Atkins – U16 and FIS Coach

I’ve been skiing since…
I think I was 2?

My experience with ski racing started…
I grew up racing in Ontario, which eventually led me to race NCAA at Middlebury College in Vermont. I was never the fastest kid growing up, and I don’t think anyone expected me to be the one to stick with it, but as I got older I had enough drive, luck and mostly privilege to make it work. I started coaching with Whitewater as the U14 assistant coach, and I’m excited to take on the challenge of being the U16/FIS head coach this year.

What do you love about skiing?
Amazing way to experience the mountains
I love getting outside in the winter to the place above the clouds. This might sound shocking for all the BC powder lovers, but my favourite feeling is first tracks down a wide open groomer with the sun shining and perfect snow. Coming from the east, I only learned how to ski powder recently, so I have to stick with my roots on this one.

“My approach to coaching can best be described as…
Or for new coaches, what makes you want to coach?”
Coaching the whole kid. No one is ever just one thing, and sports are never the whole story. I love working with young people because they are cracked wide open trying to find their footing in life, and it’s exciting and heart-wrenching to be a part of that oh so tumultuous journey with them.

“What is the best part of being a Whitewater coach?
New coaches, what do you know about the Whitewater Ski Team ?”
I love that Whitewater puts an emphasis on developing a love of skiing and a sense of community. After retiring from racing, I swore off my allegiance to an inaccessible and elitist sport and I barely touched my skis for a few years. I don’t think it’s an accident I found my way back to the sport at this club that flies by the seat of its pants sometimes, and goes all in trying to pull families in for the love of it.

Words of Wisdom:

Always pack a spare pair of socks and dry your boots out at night.

Chris Swetland – Shredders Coach

I’ve been skiing since…
1977

My experience with ski racing started…
Watching the 1988 world cup down hill at Red Mountain from the chair while I skied untracked powder.

What do you love about skiing?

I love the environment and the process of working threw the challenges presented by nature and everyones preconceived limitations.

“My approach to coaching can best be described as…
Or for new coaches, what makes you want to coach?

Theres no such thing as bad conditions, every nuance of the environment and the group provides opportunities for growth.

“What is the best part of being a Whitewater coach?
New coaches, what do you know about the Whitewater Ski Team ?”
Seeing athletes develop self confederacy.

Words of Wisdom:
Take care of yourself, then you will be able to help others

Miles Parker – Shredders Coach

I’ve been skiing since…
1972!

My experience with ski racing started…
When my eldest son joined WWST thirteen years ago.

What do you love about skiing?
Amazing way to experience the mountains
Moving freely down the mountain.

“My approach to coaching can best be described as…
Or for new coaches, what makes you want to coach?”
Bringing the entire group together around a shared love of skiing. Setting the intention, environment and context for development, giving developing skiers just enough direction and feedback to allow them the freedom to discover for themselves what works and what doesn’t. Encouraging the athletes to grow at the edge of their abilities, providing the right level of challenge to help them grow past their perceived limits.

“What is the best part of being a Whitewater coach?
New coaches, what do you know about the Whitewater Ski Team ?”
Working with the amazing, self-confident, (usually) cheerful and enthusiastic children and the parents that support them! It’s truly an honour and joy to participate in this shared journey toward mastery.

Words of Wisdom:
Dynamic skiing is a continuous controlled fall.

Oso Punchard – U12 Coach

I’ve been skiing since…
I was 2 years old

My experience with ski racing started…
I started racing with the whitewater ski club when I was 4 years old and have always loved the team and the sport. I raced up until I was 17 years old and then an injury had me change gears into coaching which I have been doing ever since.

What do you love about skiing?
Amazing way to experience the mountains
Skiing is the sport of fun. It is just myself and the snow, the slopes and the good times. Everyday is a good day when you love skiing. Days of fast firm snow and then days of big fluffy pow. Skiing is simply where I find pure bliss and happiness.

“My approach to coaching can best be described as…
Or for new coaches, what makes you want to coach?”
My approach to coaching can best be described as the pursuit of happiness. I just want my athletes to find the fun and joy in skiing. If they want to be racers amazing, if they want to be strong free ride skiers that’s awesome, and if they want to be rad park skiers that is great too. I just want to help support my athletes to be strong in this sport and to find the community and passion this hill and sport offer.

“What is the best part of being a Whitewater coach?
New coaches, what do you know about the Whitewater Ski Team ?”
The best part of being a Whitewater coach is all the laughs. This team has been my home since I was 4 years old and I love to keep that feeling of family fun and alive within this team.

Words of Wisdom:
Do what feels right for you everyday

Cam Jobin – Shredders Coach

I’ve been skiing since…
The turn of the millenium

What do you love about skiing?
Amazing way to experience the mountains
Skiing gives me an opportunity to be out in nature surrounded by gorgeous sceneries, get my blood pumping, and share amazing moments with my friends. When you’re shredding, you can’t be anywhere but in the NOW!

“My approach to coaching can best be described as…
Or for new coaches, what makes you want to coach?”
I think that any kind of teaching or mentoring is a connective and mutually beneficial experience for everyone involved. I’m excited to explore and play with my athletes and I know this will be a fun learning opportunity for all of us!

“What is the best part of being a Whitewater coach?
New coaches, what do you know about the Whitewater Ski Team ?”
I know the Whitewater Ski Team as a tight-knit community and a positive environment for young athletes and coaches to evolve in. I am so glad to be joining the family for this winter season!

Words of Wisdom:
Be patient and kind to yourself as you would be to your best friend 🙂

Rhiannon Murray – Shredders Coach

I’ve been skiing since…
I was 3

My experience with ski racing started…
When I was 5

What do you love about skiing?
I love what an amazing community skiing has brought into my life.

“My approach to coaching can best be described as…
Or for new coaches, what makes you want to coach?”
Ski racing helped me find a passion and motivation when I was a kid. I want to coach so that I can help other kids to find that same feeling. My coach’s taught me to love skiing, and I want to pass that love for skiing down to the younger generation.

“What is the best part of being a Whitewater coach?
New coaches, what do you know about the Whitewater Ski Team ?”
I know that the whitewater ski team is an amazing and positive way to learn to ski, as-well as meet new friends and join a great community.

Words of Wisdom:
Ski racing is not just about winning, It’s about working hard, challenging yourself, and most importantly, having fun!

Mark Howlett – Shredders Coach

I’ve been skiing since…
1995

My experience with ski racing started…
2 years ago

What do you love about skiing?
Having fun playing in the snow

“My approach to coaching can best be described as… Or for new coaches, what makes you want to coach?”
Interactive and fun

“What is the best part of being a Whitewater coach?
New coaches, what do you know about the Whitewater Ski Team ?”

Watch the athletes improve thoughout the year

Words of Wisdom:
Enjoy all life has for you and have fun along the way

Benen Lessard – Shredders Coach

I’ve been skiing since…
I’ve been skiing at Whitewater since I was around 3

My experience with ski racing started…
I was part of the Whitewater ski team for 5 years starting at U8 and ending U14

What do you love about skiing?
The sensations

“My approach to coaching can best be described as…
Or for new coaches, what makes you want to coach?”
I’ve had a lot of amazing coaches, have heard great things about coaching here, and am looking forward to having fun and skiing with my group.

“What is the best part of being a Whitewater coach?
New coaches, what do you know about the Whitewater Ski Team ?”

In my experience, the Whitewater Ski Team was a great place to learn how to be a much better skier, surrounded by friends and having fun.

Words of Wisdom:
Turn right. Turn left. Repeated as necessary.

Suzanne miller – Shredders Coach

I’ve been skiing since…
I was three

My experience with ski racing started…
When i was about 8 i thought racers looked really cool and I decided i wanted to race to

What do you love about skiing?
how the snow feels beneath your skis, also the friends you make doing it!

“My approach to coaching can best be described as…
Or for new coaches, what makes you want to coach?”
i have wanted to coach for a long time, i wanted to help younger athletes experience the same joy skiing that i do

“What is the best part of being a Whitewater coach?
New coaches, what do you know about the Whitewater Ski Team ?”

the best part of being a coach is helping athletes improve and watching them reach their goals even the small ones

Words of Wisdom:
results don’t always equal improvement its more about how comfortable you are while skiing

Senna Kenny – Shredders Coach

I’ve been skiing since…
I’ve been skiing since I was 2 years old.

My experience with ski racing started…
When I was around 8 years old I joined the whitewater ski team and raced with them until U16.

What do you love about skiing?
I love how skiing can let me unwind and feel free, creating a both calming and exhilarating experience.

“My approach to coaching can best be described as…
Or for new coaches, what makes you want to coach?”
I want to coach because I want kids to have some of the same amazing experiences I did with the team, as well as to help them find their passion for skiing while having a whole lot of fun. I’m also excited to continue to be a part of this ski community.

“What is the best part of being a Whitewater coach?
New coaches, what do you know about the Whitewater Ski Team ?”
The whitewater ski team has a great environment, the coaches and team as a whole supporting each other, learning new skills and going out to shred and having so much fun.

Words of Wisdom:
As long as you are passionate about what you do you can accomplish great things.

Pete Holton – Volunteer / Fill in Coach

I’ve been skiing since…
1963

My experience with ski racing started…
1969

What do you love about skiing?
Amazing way to experience the mountains

“My approach to coaching can best be described as…
Or for new coaches, what makes you want to coach?”
Keep it fun, Keep it safe, Build healthy relationships, and keep your group together!!

“What is the best part of being a Whitewater coach?”
Watching how much fun the kids have and watching them grow and improve over the years

Words of Wisdom:
Some day you are going to have grey hair too!!