Alumni Re-Engagement Survey

[JeffSurdej]

Has watching the Collegiate Nationals webcast reminded you how much you miss skiing? Sign-up now for alumni alerts and information!

AWSA has started a committee to help develop resources for former NCWSA athletes to stay involved in the sport.

Whether you are reading this from a boat, or haven't looked at a pair of skis in years, please fill out the link below so that you can learn more about getting involved, giving back, and/or getting on the water.

http://www.ncwsa.com/alumni-survey/

 

 

[jcamp]

@JeffSurdej the hyperlink is incorrect. It's missing the colon after http

[JeffSurdej]

fixed thanks

[Horton]

@JeffSurdej as I believe I've told you in the past I think that Collegiate skiing is the low-hanging fruit in terms of building a future membership. You and I need to have some more offline conversations about how to leverage this website to promote our mutual goals for the sport.

[6balls]

Absolutely...in my brief experience with a non-top tier program most skiers drop out. I will say that a few of my ski buddies from the team DO live on lakes and have boats...but I can only think of one that runs buoys and the last tourney he ran was collegiate. He's in his mid 40's and best pass this year was 4.5 @35 off in practice.

 

Even it they didn't run buoys, but we kept them in the lakes, buying boats, buying equipment for family fun that would be a big deal for the industry. A few of my nephews with young families who never skied comp but grew up with my Dad pulling them on family vaca's will buy boats next year. One will buy my brother Joe's Sport Nautique and the other is actively boat hunting. Neither will ski buoys but will need gloves, ropes, vests, tubes, boards, skis, booms, suits etc. Good stuff.

 

Also using your expertise as a tourney skier can help recreational skiers, too. I helped a friend buy a MC to pull his kids who are super die hard free skiers...like every morning free skiers. They bought drysuits and think it's the coolest thing ever to ski earlier and later in the year. @skibumsam and his family bought a bubble butt Nautique this year to replace their 1986...Sam has been bit by the buoy bug and can't wait to introduce his younger brother. Every little bit that we can collectively due to pay it forward makes a difference. When my body gives up I see doing community ed learn to ski clinics...fun for me to be in a boat, great fun for people to be introduced and success so much more likely with decent instruction.

 

Go @horton and @JeffSurdej brainstorm like crazy!

 

 

 

 

[JeffSurdej]

@Horton agreed horton, that was the main reason behind starting a position dedicated to bridging the NCWSA/AWSA gap, but yes we need to talk about ambassador program and more. Hopefully soon, its on my list to catch up with you. I POSTED THIS IN WRONG FORUM EARLIER

[eleeski]

Took the survey.

 

(Note, collegiate skiing started in the mid 70s so some of us alumni are older than the options - but I love getting grouped with the kids).

 

Attended Alumni Regionals.

 

Judged college tournaments.

 

Coached various college kids including hosting them at my lake.

 

Hosted alumni kids at my lake.

 

Regularly bum rides off other alumni.

 

College skiing is a great way to build the sport. More importantly, it is a great way to make new friends and engage in a healthy lifelong sport.

 

Eric

[bassfooter]

@eleeski you might call it "bumming rides off other alumni", but when I've been along, you're a very active coach and helper. For example, just this week you helped an alumna get up on jumpers with her daughter riding in front of her for her first-ever ski ride. You effectively helped pass the torch - the look on that kid's face said it all. The Junior Development clinic we hosted last summer was run almost entirely by alumni, and it was largely their kids out on the water -- that's where this mom got back into it.

 

So I think it's that personal outreach to rekindle those friendships among those graduates who've settled in, maybe started a family, and can afford the time out on the water.

 

However, we're lucky to have several schools in an area that's highly desirable to a lot of people. A lot of students stay in town after graduation. Our club is probably half alums, if not more. And the local college skiing scene benefits from this and has actually been expanding lately. This, in turn, has helped reinvigorate the local club these past couple of years, to the point we were able to fill up a large Class C three-event tournament last summer -- the first in at least 15 years -- with guys like @eleeski right in the middle, offering up their expertise.

 

One thing we've always done is ask the college skiers to help with course and starting dock maintenance - we're in pretty consistent contact. In fact, we have a bunch helping us do some maintenance tomorrow. You can be sure names and numbers will get exchanged and plans made for ski rides.

 

It's that face-to-face, personal connection.

 

Hoping @Horton and @JeffSurdej can take away something from this...

[BraceMaker]

I've always found that it is darned hard for folks to find courses. @JeffSurdej The area of sw Chicago is extremely ski lake dense with waters edge ninovan @LakeOneSkier On the lakes there. At least 2 other lakes with hidden lake and one going to seed. But best option for buying a set is to drive down to Doug Meeker if you want lessons.

 

Someone in Chicago should have a public pay for pull lake not 3 hours out.