The Official Snowhawks Raven Newsletter | Fall 2009
End of Season Pirate Cruise
This past Spring over 100 of our instructors and chaperones helped us celebrate our 25th anniversary aboard the tall ship Kajama. We set sail in our pirate attire for an evening cruise filled with laughter, good cheer and great friends. Along the way we acknowledged our staff with an awards ceremony, fired the cannon to help us celebrate and took in the sights of our beautiful city from the perspective of Lake Ontario. Don’t worry, however, as no one was forced to walk the plank. Afterwards the party continued at different venues before we said goodbye for another season. We would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to all those who helped us celebrate our 25th anniversary. |
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A New Look For 2010…
New for 2010 our instructors will be donning new ski/snowboard suits.
For the past two years we have used a combination of both the old Raven and the old Snowhawks suits. We realize that it is time to finalize the unification of our staff so to that end we will be getting new suits for the upcoming season. Our objective was to choose a color scheme that was distinctive so that we would be readily spotted on the hills, yet one which would be classy and make our staff proud to wear our suit. Unfortunately, everyone will have to wait until the first outing before we unveil our new look. What we can tell you is that we have chosen Karbon as our supplier as their reputation for quality, warmth and fashion is renowned within the industry. |
MITCH GORSKI HONORED BY THE CSIA
 At the annual meeting of the Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance (Ontario) (CSIA) our Director, Mitch Gorski was honored with a prestigious award for Outstanding Service to the organization. Mitch has been an active member of the CSIA for over 35 years and has taught skiing and snowboarding in Quebec and Alberta before moving to Toronto to start Snowhawks. He continues to be active in the CSIA and a strong proponent of the organization, its level of professionalism and all that it stands for. “When they called my name I was shocked with the honor and extremely grateful to the CSIA and my peers who voted for me. It’s a great organization and I look forward to many more years of promoting our great sports and to serving the CSIA (and CASI) and to developing our young skiers and boarders so that they may enjoy the sports I feel so passionate about”.
2009 INSTRUCTORS OF DISTINCTION
In 2009 we were blessed with perhaps our best instructor staff ever! From our veteran pro’s to our rookie cast of eager candidates our instructors showed themselves to be a caring, nurturing and fun group. They all deserve their accolades but there are a few that deserve special mention.
Our Instructor Of The Year honor for 2009 goes to Sergio Ecob. Sergio taught on our Christmas Camp, Saturday Blue Mountain Traveller, Sunday Mount St. Louis Traveller and our Mont Tremblant Spring Break Program. He taught a high end group, an Instructor In Training class, a beginner group and our Race Team. Talk about doing it all! Not only did Sergio teach every program possible and just about every skill level but he did it amazingly. We can always tell when an instructor is doing a great job by the level of excitement and enthusiasm shown by their students. Sergio’s kids certainly fit the bill – way to go Sergio and congratulations on a job well done!
This year we inducted three of our current staff and one former instructor into our Hall Of Fame. All are extremely deserving and have shown themselves to be exemplary examples to both our other staff as well as our members over the years.
 Zack Jones started with us as a seven year old and has not missed a season in 18 years. As a young child Zack loved the sport so much that he would do all of our programs including Christmas, Saturdays, Sundays and Spring Break. We’re not sure when he fit time in for homework. As an adult his passion for our sports has not withered as he continues to teach on all programs and days. He teaches both skiing and snowboarding, beginners to experts and he is also our Program Coordinator on our Mont Tremblant Camp. He is looked upon by his peers as a leader and someone whom our younger instructors can turn to for advice and mentorship.
 Mike Tone came to us after many years of excellent service to Northwoods Ski and Snowboard Club. In his 10 plus years with us he has continued to impress. Mike has taught every level and has been a Program Coordinator for many years. If there is a beginner who is having difficulty catching on Mike is there with a helping hand, a hearty smile and just the right amount of encouragement necessary to “get them going”. Mike never misses a day and will always be at the hill early to help us set up and jump on the busses to greet the kids.
 Lindsay Jones (yes Zack’s older sister) also started with us over 18 years ago. However she is no longer with us as she has decided to move on to Whistler where she has taken up permanent residence. During her tenure with us she could always be counted on to teach or help out in any way asked of her. Though her true passion is snowboarding Lindsay would also teach a ski class when called upon or help out in the office during our crunch time. No matter what the level or what the discipline, Lindsay would rise to the occasion. Her kids loved her and requests to have Lindsay as their instructor were common. Snowhawks Ravens’ loss is certainly Whistlers gain and we will always look upon Lindsay as family.
 One of the joys of our job is the opportunity afforded us in watching our members grow and mature and become young adults. Mark Lewkowicz also started with us 18 years ago as a 10 year old. Over the years we have watched him grow and mature both on as well as off the hill. At Snowhawks Raven Mark has done it all from a ski teaching perspective. He is highly certified, has taught all level of groups and is currently one of our valued Program Coordinators. Off the hill Mark has continued his passion for working with kids as he is a high school teacher in York Region.
We welcome all of these fine candidates into our Hall Of Fame and look forward to welcoming more of our fine staff into our “Hall” in the years to come.
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SNOWHAWKS RAVEN HEADS WEST
In the past we have ventured off to such fabulous destinations as Steamboat, Aspen, Big Sky as well as just about every hill in the interior of BC. This year we have chosen Whistler for our end of season destination trip and we would love it if you could join us. Home of the 2010 Winter Olympics and two of the largest mountains in North America, this trip promises to be the highlight of our season. As in all Snowhawks Raven events our attention to detail in the planning as well as our on hill and off hill events will add to the enjoyment. |
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  SNOWHAWKS RAVEN cONTINUES TO BE AT THE FOREFRONT WITH RESPECT TO HELMETS AND WRIST GUARDS
Snowhawks Raven Ski and Snowboard School as well as the Canadian Safety Council advocate the use of helmets for all skiers and snowboarders. Helmets are now an accepted part of the skiers and snowboarders equipment and our members have always been at the forefront in the wearing of this important safety feature.
To clarify our policy, helmets are mandatory for all members on our Christmas Program, the Mount St. Louis Traveller, the Blue Mountain Traveller and our Spring Break Programs. All instructors will continue to set the example as they too must wear helmets.
It’s common knowledge that most snowboarding injuries are to the wrist. Wrist guards do not prevent all injuries but they do cut down on the number of accidents and they diminish the severity of others. There are three types of wrist guard designs, those that fit under the glove, those that fit over the glove and those that are built into the glove. Whichever style you choose, find guards that are the most comfortable for you.
 HAVE YOU TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THE
FEDERAL FITNESS TAX CREDIT?
As most of us are aware the Federal government has instituted a $500 tax credit for youth participating in organized sports in an effort to encourage a more fit society and clearly our Snowhawks Raven program qualifies. Upon registration participants will be provided a receipt which parents should save and include when it comes time to file one’s annual tax return. One note of caution, however, in that the tax credit applies to the year in which it was paid and not the year in which the service was provided. Make sure to keep your confirmation package and especially the receipt that will be included.
SNOWHAWKS RAVEN SCHOLARSHIPS
 Over the past three seasons we have offered four 50% scholarships towards any Snowhawks Raven program. Given the current economic climate and the overwhelming response we have had for requests for these scholarships we have amended this offering for the current season. We will now offer eight $300 off scholarships. The goal of these scholarships is to provide PAST members the opportunity to continue to enjoy the sport and our program which they have come to love. These scholarships are meant for those families who have experienced unforeseen financial hardship.
Parents wishing to take advantage of these scholarships should apply in writing to Heather or Mitch no later than November 1st. Scholarships will be granted based on individual circumstances and the length of time members have been with Snowhawks Ravens. They are limited to those who have not received scholarships in the past. All requests will be treated in complete confidence. This is something we feel strongly about and we are only too grateful to provide our kids with the opportunity to continue with Snowhawks/Raven.
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416-487-5271 | 416-489-4982 
416-489-0107 
