Learn to snowboard with Backside Nines

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This article was published 15/01/2018 (2864 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

If snowboarding is on your list of things you want to try in 2018, Backside Nines Inc. has a program perfect for any age group and skill level to get you shredding down the hill.

Backside Nine is a not-for-profit that offers a comprehensive snowboard program designed to introduce the entire family to the outdoor sport.

“We have athletes starting as early as three, four, five years old in our ‘mini nines’ program, up to our 14-to-17-year-old high performance team that travels to nationals, and we also have a weekly parents ride night to hang out and develop our own skills,” owner Randy Demchuk said.

Randy, who had been an avid snowboarder for many years, wanted to introduce it to his boys but there were no local programs. So, Backside Nines was created in 2015 and four seasons later it is approaching 100 member athletes and 15 coaches.

All the members of one area family have gotten on board.

“My husband, Callem, joined to learn a new skill and to have a sport that he could share with our kids (Lochlan, nine, and Camden, five),” Catharine Beattie said. “He tried snowboarding on an evening social night with Backside Nines a few years ago and he really enjoyed it and took to it very well.”

Catharine and Callem wanted their kids to have a winter activity that encourages them to enjoy the outdoors.

“We are not a family of snowboarders yet but that is the plan. We hope to encourage the kids to love the sport so we can include this activity as a family winter vacation option,” Catharine said.

The Beattie family enjoys the coaches the most.

“They are amazing with the kids. They teach them all the basics of the sport, but they make it fun for all skill levels,” Catharine said. “The kids are always busy and always learning new skills, they don’t do a lot of sitting around and the classes are small, so everyone gets attention.”

“Our program focuses on making it fun; (making) new friends and learning new tricks,” Randy said.

“You will never hear the words ‘drills’ or ‘skills’ in our program. We banned them. Don’t get me wrong, skills and drills exist in substance in the program, but we disguise them as fun activities for our athletes.”

Backside Nine also focuses on building self-esteem and forming friendships.

“There are so many shy introverted athletes that do not know a single person at the ski hill on Day 1, they start our program and come out of their shell and form new friendships.”

Backside Nines is based at Springhill Winter Park and registration for new classes is on now. For more information, visit www.backsidenines.ca or email backsidenines@gmail.com

Carolyne Braid is a community correspondent for Crescentwood. You can reach her at carolyne.braid@gmail.com