WSRC Equipment Outline

This is based on the rules of the sport and policies of WSRC that exist as of January 1, 2020.  A particular race organizer may stipulate specific requirements in the race notice outside of this document.

Preliminary….The investment in equipment is a personal decision of the family making the purchase.  A few factors to take into account when making this decision include the age of athlete and the amount of racing being done.  For example, the investment in equipment will differ for a U8 athlete and a U16 athlete in contention to qualify for U16 Nationals. 

For some disciplines, there are specific equipment requirements in order to race, but if the athlete is not going to attend races, they may decide not to invest in this particular equipment. 

For second year U10’s, U12’s and beyond, parents need to consider to what degree they want to invest in equipment. For this reason, WSRC provides equipment lists as required vs recommended for each age group.

Recommended Retailers & Special Offers

Race ski equipment is different from regular ski equipment.  Not all retailers are created equal.  WSRC has member discounts in place with the following retailers who inventory race equipment:

Aerobics First:

• 20% off:
  • ski race accessories (poles, pole guards, shin guards, arm guards, back protectors, boot bags, ski bags, race helmets and race gloves).
  • race clothing (race suits and race shorts)
  • ski tuning supplies
• Custom insoles: Custom insoles for $120 plus tax (regular price is $160)

Race club discounts apply to equipment intended for use by athletes who are enrolled in a race program for the 2020-2021 ski season.

Cleve's Burnside (Dartmouth) - 20% off regular priced ski/winter sport related items

Hub Cycle (Truro) - 10% off ski tuning gear, wax and apparel
 

Equipment Requirements By Age

The following offers a quick overview of required equipment. For a more detailed review of considerations for skis, bindings and tuning equipment check out this detailed document prepard by Head Coach, Mike Byrne. 

You can find a detailed overview of program considerations prepared here. 
U8-U10
U12
U14
U16-18

U10

Required:

• Helmet
• Boots
• Skis
• Poles

 
Recommended for competitive racing:  (Note - These are not required to attend any U10 race events.)

• JR RACE Slalom Skis (no taller than their nose)

• Buckle front overlap JR RACE boots of appropriate stiffness (ie – flex) for the ability of the athlete. They should be able to flex the boots. Flexing means being able to move the cuff forward bringing the two-middle buckles closer together.
• Poles of a height that result in 90 degree bent elbow or a little bit shorter 

• A hard-shell racing helmet.  (Note:  at some race events, such as PEI, race helmets with go pro’s or fun stickers on them have been required to have these attachments / adornments removed in lieu or disqualification by the race committee.)
• Racing (“skin”) suits are permitted (but not required)

U12

As you move into U12, the athletes are introduced to two alpine disciplines:  slalom and gs.  These two disciplines entail different equipment. 

Required:

• Skis:  A pair of JR Race Slalom skis (no taller than their nose)
• Boots
• Helmet
• Poles

Recommended:

Following these recommendations should be based on how much away racing your athlete plans to do and level of competitiveness and development.  The recommendations apply mainly to competitive 2-day program second year U12’s.  If you have any questions, feel free to ask your Coach or the Program Coordinator.

Boots:  The athlete should have JR Race Boots. 4 buckle front overlap design.  They should be able to flex the boots. Flexing would mean being able to move the cuff forward bringing the two-middle buckles closer together.
WSRC recommends that boots are fitted with correct sizing and flex based on the skier’s weight, ability and other factors that the boot fitter will assess.

Helmet:  The athlete should have a hard-eared FIS approved helmet.  

Helmet info:  Hard eared helmets are required for GS.  Soft eared are acceptable for SL.  If you only want to buy one helmet, you can buy a hard eared helmet with the ability to attach a chin guard.

Guards: 

• Shin Guards: The athlete should have a pair of JR sized slalom shin guards. 
• Pole Guards:  Any second year U12 planning to graduate to U14 should have pole guards to do full gate training during the latter part of the season.
• Chin Guard:  In the event that your athlete is given the opportunity to train on full gates, a chin guard is required.  (Applies to second year U12’s during the latter part of season who are planning to graduate to U14.)

Additional Skis:  JR Race GS skis (10 to 15 cms longer than Slalom skis).

Race Suit

U14

For recommendations on ski lengths and boot flex, consult with coaching staff or review our extended document.

Required:
 
Skis:  U14 Athletes should have JR Race Slalom and JR Race GS Skis.
 
Boots: JR/SR Front overlap design race boots of appropriate size & stiffness (aka flex)
 
Guards:  Shin guards and pole guards.
 
Race suit
 
Helmet:  A FIS-approved hard ear helmet is required for GS
 
NOTE:  Helmets must be FIS Approved to compete in races. There will be a sticker on the back of the helmet indicating this.
 
For Slalom, can have a separate helmet or use GS helmet and attach chin bar.
 
 
Recommended:

• Back Protector

 
If doing Super G:

• Super G skis can be bought or rented
• Back protector required.

 
U16 & U18
 
Required:

• Race Slalom and Race GS skis
• SG skis if racing Super G
• Boots should be front overlap design Race boots of appropriate size & stiffness.
• Shin guards and pole guards
• GS Hard ear FIS-Approved Helmet and Slalom helmet with chin bar for slalom
• Race suit (aka skin suit)
• Back protector of appropriate size

Note:  In the event that your athlete is selected for a U16 Nationals, Canada Winter Games, U14 Canams, and U16 Canams, these events have very specific equipment requirements that you must conform with.

If you have any questions, please contact Gregor Byrne at coaching@wentworthracing.com