Parent and Skier Guide to the MWSC Healthy Hometowns Ski Lease program About The Maine Winter Sports Center

Transcription

1 Parent and Skier Guide to the MWSC Healthy Hometowns Ski Lease program About The Maine Winter Sports Center Since its inception in 1999 the Maine Winter Sports Center has been dedicated to creating a healthier, more active, outdoor lifestyle throughout Maine. The Maine Winter Sports Center focuses on empowering Maine to build an active, outdoor future through world-class resources and challenge-based programs. Healthy Hometowns, the equipment rental program of the MWSC, works toward this goal by providing quality outdoor equipment to communities throughout the state. In addition to the equipment rental program the Maine Winter Sports Center also has programs focusing on youth development, racing, adventure education, adult outdoor experiences, and more. Purpose The MWSC Healthy Hometowns Nordic ski lease program aims to break down one of the biggest barriers to outdoor recreation: affordable access to quality equipment. The equipment used in the program is introductory-level equipment designed to serve youth from kindergarten through 8th grade. The Nordic ski lease program allows families to become involved in the sport without needing to constantly purchase new equipment as children grow. The Healthy Hometowns Ski Lease Program gets close to 1500 kids around Maine on skis every winter. Skate vs. Classic Skiing There are two forms of cross-country, or Nordic, skiing: classic and skate (also known as freestyle ). At higher levels of Nordic skiing there are important differences between equipment used for each style of skiing. For our purposes we focus on one set of equipment that allows young skiers to do both. Equipment The equipment you are leasing is considered combi equipment, meaning it can be used for both classic and skate skiing techniques. We do have a limited selection of waxless, or fishscale skis available to use, especially for smaller kids. These skis do not require use of kick wax for classic skiing, and generally skiers can skate on them as well. These skis are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. All of our equipment uses the NNN system of bindings and boots. Salomon brand or other SNS style boots will not work with our skis. Each spring, all of our skis receive a protective coat of storage wax. To get the most enjoyment from your skis, use a scraper to remove this wax layer. The program is not intended to provide high level racing equipment to competitive programs. We are greatly encouraged by the number of middle school teams that utilize our equipment to help get more kids on skis, but we ask that programs and participants understand the limitations of a lease program whose focus is on accessibility and introductory equipment. Pole Sizing! Parent s Guide 1

2 Our poles are sized to work well for both classic and skate, coming somewhere between the armpit and shoulder of the skier. This is shorter than older and more advanced skiers would use, but the reason is simple: most children using our lease program do not have the upper body strength to use longer poles with correct technique. Having slightly shorter poles for children is widely recommended, including in the guidelines set forth by the United States Ski and Snowboard Association. During the Season We ask that parents help their children learn to care for their skis during the course of the season. Taking good care of the equipment helps it last longer and ensures that this lease program will be around for years to come! Here are a few guidelines for good equipment care: - Skis go on snow. Please put on and take off skis on snow. Do not walk across roads or parking lots with skis on. - Avoid rocks and dirt. Whenever possible, try to avoid hitting rocks, dirt, or other obstacles while skiing. - Ski tails will break if shoved into snow banks or dropped onto floors. When storing, lean skis against something or set them down on their sides. - Use ski bags to protect equipment when not in use. - Don t pile equipment under heavy objects. - Let us know about problems. If your equipment breaks during the season, tell your lease organizer right away. They can contact Healthy Hometowns to get replacements. - Work with program leader to regularly apply liquid, paste, or hot wax to skis. Returning Equipment Return all equipment to your lease organizer by the date requested above. Have everything (skis, boots, poles) together in ski bag. Be sure to remove all kick wax or klister. This can be accomplished with a rag and Gu-Gone or a basic ski base cleaner. Do not use solvents or harsh chemicals!! A fee will be assessed for skis returned with kick wax or klister. In addition, be sure that boots, ski bags, and skis are free of mud and dirt. Putting a layer of glide wax on the skis prior to returning is very welcome! No need to scrape, they ll be all ready for next year. The following is our Fee Schedule for missing or damaged equipment. We recognize that normal wear and tear may occur: zippers or boot cuffs break, heel plates come off of bindings, poles bend, etc. Charges will not be incurred for normal use. Charges may be incurred for abuse of equipment including: broken skis, poles or bindings, and severely damaged boot cuffs resulting from misuse. Charges will be incurred for loss of equipment or returning dirty equipment.! Parent s Guide 2

3 Fee Schedule ( ) Package Rental (2 skis, 2 boots, 2 poles, 2 bindings, 1 ski bag) XC Ski Package per season $65.00, including security deposit Damage, Cleaning & Replacement Fees Broken/damaged Ski $20.00 per ski Broken/damaged Pole $10.00 per pole Broken/damaged Boot up to $ per boot Broken/damaged Binding $15.00 per binding Broken/damanged Ski Bag $ 5.00 Any equipment requiring excessive cleaning $10.00 per item Lost Ski Bag $15.00 Lost Skis and Bindings $ per pair Lost Poles $ per pair Lost Boots $ per pair FAQs Why can t I get extra poles or skis? The MWSC Healthy Hometowns program has close to 1500 sets of Nordic ski equipment that are distributed throughout the state. Providing extra equipment to some programs means that other kids won t be able to ski. Who should I contact if I have questions about the Nordic ski lease program? All inquiries regarding the MWSC Healthy Hometowns Nordic ski lease program should be directed to Healthy Hometowns Equipment Coordinator Josh Firmin by phone or / josh@mainewsc.org What if I want to lease only one item (such as boots)? These requests should be processed at the same time as your local fit session. The fee for individual items is $65. The fee is the same whether one item or an entire package is being leased. Is this alpine equipment? Where can I lease downhill equipment? The MWSC Healthy Hometowns Nordic ski lease program leases Nordic ski equipment, which is not intended for downhill use. We suggest contacting your local ski shop if you are looking for alpine equipment. I am an individual that would like to lease equipment. Can I do that? The Healthy Hometowns Ski Lease Program does not offer individual equipment leases. If you are interested in renting skis for the season we are happy to refer you to a local program in your area that is already working with us. Why is some of the equipment older and some of it brand new? We are constantly working on up-grading our lease fleet by purchasing new skis, poles, and boots every year. We try to anticipate the greatest size needs to the lease program and fill those needs as we are able. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we do our best to maintain close to 1200 of sets of equipment.! Parent s Guide 3

4 Nordic Ski Lease Sizing Session Guide Once again, the Maine Winter Sports Center is no longer providing boots and coaching assistance for Nordic ski lease sizing sessions. Instead, we are providing all lease coordinators with useful information and resources to run a successful sizing session and collect the necessary information. This will allow lease coordinators to schedule fit sessions at their convenience. Thank you for your participation in the Nordic ski lease program this season. If you have any questions about running a Sizing Session please contact equipment coordinator Joshua Firmin (josh@mainewsc.org / ) The following must be received from EVERY participant: Completed Participant Lease Agreement with the following information: o Name o Address o Phone o Payment of $65 (checks made out to supporting organization ex. YMCA, local ski club/rec, department) Height (in inches) Boot Size Materials 1 roll of adhesive tape (masking tape, duct tape, etc.) 1 US standard measuring device (yardstick, ruler, tape measure, etc.) 1 metric measuring device (yardstick, ruler, etc.) Copies of the Participant Ski Lease Agreement Copies of the Parents Guide to Ski Leasing Copies of the boot sizing sheet Pens/pencils The following is the RECOMMENDED method for collecting boot size and height measurements. HEIGHT 1. Apply tape vertically to a wall, doorframe or other fixed surface. Be cautious that the adhesive will not damage the surface. 2. Using a measuring tool (ruler, tape measure, etc.), measure and label the tape from inches in 1-inch increments extending up from the floor. 3. Without footwear on, have participant stand back against the wall and measure height to the nearest inch. 4. Record height (in inches) on Participant Agreement form.# Sizing Session Guide 1

5 BOOT SIZE 1. Print out several copies of the Boot Sizing Chart. 2. Compare child s known US shoe size to EU shoe size on the chart. 3. As an additional comparison, refer to the manufacturers tag typically found on the tongue of children s footwear. US and EU size is usually given. 4. When in doubt, always size up. 5. Record boot size in EU When the sizing session is over, collect all completed Participant Lease Agreements. Compile sizing information using the Participant Sizing Template and submit the information electronically to Healthy Hometowns Equipment Coordinator, Josh Firmin (josh@mainewsc.org). Agreement forms and payment are required when the equipment is picked up. Ski packages will not be released without payment and lease agreements. # # # # Sizing Session Guide 2

6 Boot%Sizing%Chart Euro%Size US%Men's% US%Women's% US%Kid's *+* *+*

7 Participant Name: Height (Inches): Boot Size (EU) Special Notes: Dirigo Outdoor Programs, Inc (dba Maine Winters Sports Center) Healthy Hometowns Program Participant Equipment Rental and Release Agreement EXHIBIT C 1. Rental; Parties; Term. The below-named participant (the Participant ) (or, in the event the Participant is under the age of 18, then the undersigned parent or guardian of the Participant, for myself and on behalf of the Participant) subleases from (the Organization ), and the Organization subleases to me, the rental equipment described in Section 2, below (the Equipment ) for use by the Participant for a period from December 2015 to April, 2016 (the Term ). I agree to pay to the Organization as rent for the Equipment the sum of $65.00 for the Term, payable on execution of this Agreement. (For the avoidance of doubt, if the Participant is 18 years of age or older, then I and the Participant are one and the same and the words me, my, and words of similar import refer to the Participant. If the Participant is under the age of 18, then the words I, me, my, and words of similar import refer to the undersigned parent or guardian of the Participant.) In consideration of the right to use the Equipment and the rent to be paid by me, the Organization and I agree to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. 2. Equipment. The Equipment to which this Agreement applies are the following items owned by Dirigo Outdoor Programs, Inc (dba Maine Winters Sports Center / MWSC ) and leased from Dirigo Outdoor Programs, Inc (dba Maine Winters Sports Center / MWSC ) by the Organization: - Nordic Skis - Nordic Ski Boots - Nordic Ski Poles - Nordic Ski Bag 3. Care; Assignment Surrender; Loss/Damage. I accept full responsibility for the care of the Equipment while it is rented to me. I have examined the Equipment as fully as I desire. At the end of the Term, I agree to return the Equipment in at least as good and clean order and condition as when delivered to the Participant (or, if I am the parent or guardian of the Participant, as when delivered to me or the Participant), failing which, I agree to pay the fees for loss, damage and/or cleaning as provided in Schedule A. I WILL NOT ASSIGN THIS AGREEMENT OR SUBLET THE EQUIPMENT TO ANY PERSON. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Participant is under the age of 18, the Organization and I agree that the Participant shall have the right to use the Equipment during the Term. 4. RELEASE AND INDEMNIFICATION. Aware of the risks of serious injury (including disability or death) and/or property damage arising from participation in the sport of Nordic skiing and associated activities, including travel (collectively, the Activities ), the Participant (or, in the event the Participant is under the age of 18, the undersigned parent or guardian of the Participant, for myself and on behalf of the Participant), agrees as follows: To the extent permitted by law, I hereby RELEASE and agree to INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS AND, if requested by Dirigo Outdoor Programs, Inc (dba Maine Winters Sports Center / MWSC ), DEFEND Dirigo Outdoor Programs, Inc (dba Maine Winters Sports Center / MWSC ), and all of the respective owners, directors, trustees, officers, employees, agents, and affiliates of each of the foregoing persons and/or entities, and any and all coaches, officials, organizers, agents, and volunteers associated with the program through which the Equipment is being provided (collectively, the Releasees ), from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees) arising out of or resulting from, directly or indirectly, my (or in the event the Participant is under the age of 18, the Participant s) participation in any of the Activities and/or use of the Equipment Particpant Lease Agreement 1

8 and/or the selection and/or fit of the Equipment, including, without limitation, those arising out of, resulting from, or attributable to personal injury (including disability or death) and property damage (collectively, Claims and Liabilities ), regardless of cause, INCLUDING ANY AND ALL CLAIMS AND LIABILITIES WHICH ARISE OUT OF OR RESULT FROM ANY ACTIONS OR OMISSIONS, INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE, on the part of any of the Releasees. Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or modification of certain rights or remedies and the foregoing provision does not operate to, and is not to be construed as an attempt to, exclude or modify any rights or remedies that cannot be modified or excluded under applicable law. 5. Miscellaneous. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, discussions and understandings between them, whether oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. If any part of this Agreement is determined to be unenforceable, all other parts shall be given full force effect. Each and every person and entity constituting one of the Releasees is expressly intended to be and is hereby made a beneficiary of this Agreement. The undersigned has (have) read this Agreement and voluntarily agree(s) to the terms of this Agreement. The following information and signatures are required: Print Participant s Full Name Participant s Signature Date Participant s Date of Birth For Participant s under the age of 18: Print Parent/Guardian s Full Name Parent/Guardian Signature Date Parent/Guardian s Mailing Address: Parent/Guardian Phone Number: (home) (cell) Parent/Guardian Address: SCHEDULE A To Equipment Rental and Release Agreement Fee Schedule ( ) Package Rental (2 skis, 2 boots, 2 poles, 2 bindings, 1 ski bag) XC Ski Package per season $65.00, Damage, Cleaning & Replacement Fees Broken/damaged Ski $20.00 per ski Broken/damaged Pole $10.00 per pole Broken/damaged Boot up to $ per boot Broken/damaged Binding $15.00 per binding Broken/damaged Ski Bag $ 5.00 Any equipment requiring excessive cleaning $10.00 per item Lost Ski Bag $15.00 Lost Skis and Bindings $ per pair Lost Poles $ per pair Lost Boots $ per pair Particpant Lease Agreement 2