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Winter Snow
The First Lap Logo. "This is where you start."

The First Lap Coaching:

Individual and Group Coaching for Cross-country Skiers

A Bit About The First Lap

Supporting and Sustaining participation in Winter Sports

The First Lap is a cross-country ski coaching service delivered by current high-level athletes and experienced coaches across Canada. We have modelled our program after a successful endurance running program by Mile2Marathon (M2M). We are excited and feel fortunate to have M2M as a consulting partner in the launch of The First Lap in Fall 2022.   

The First Lap is a Canadian WinterSports Inc. (CWS) service branch. CWS is a distributor of cross-country ski equipment and waxes. 

Interview with Kevin Shields

Creator of The First Lap

Interview with Andy Shields

Owner of Canadian Wintersports

Winter

Our Services

Individual Coaching

Our coaches provide individual coaching in cross-country skiing. There are two options - Personal Coaching and a Custom Training Plan. (University, Senior and Masters athletes)

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Team Coaching

Team coaching options include joining an Open Team or organizing a team of your own. 

 (High School, University and club/community groups)

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Ski Clinics

The First Lap offers dryland and on-snow ski clinics and private or semi-private lessons. These opportunities are offered in Canmore, Thunder Bay, North Bay and Gatineau-Ottawa.

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“Happiness, not in another place but this place, not for another hour but this hour”

Walt Whitman

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