CSRT Frequently Asked Questions
Q: "What is the Cooper Spur Race Team?"
A: The Cooper Spur Race Team (CSRT) is a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization
dedicated to the development of youth ski racing and aspiring athletes.
CSRT is striving to enrich our local community by working together and
providing our youth expert instruction and guidance. We believe hard work,
cooperation, positive attitude, dedication, and competition teach us life long
skills.
Q: "Is the Cooper Spur Race Team part of the Cooper Spur Resort?"
A: CSRT is not part of the Cooper Spur Resort, we are a non-profit
corporation having been in existence for more than 20 years.
Q: "What is required to join the Cooper Spur Race Team?"
Program Fees:
See the latest program information and fees.
Time:
We expect families of ski team members to share the responsibility by
giving time to the ski team. That commitment is guaranteed through the use
of our Volunteer Deposit of $100. These deposits are secured by check. The
checks are not cashed and are returned upon the completion of the volunteer
requirements.
Paperwork:
- CSRT Application and Release
- CSRT Indemnity
- Volunteer Deposit Agreement
- Athletes Code of Conduct
- Parents Code of Conduct
- Skibowl Release
- Meadows Racer Liability Safety Form
- Meadows Release and Medical Consent Form
- USSA Membership Application for Training and Competition Teams
Q: "Is my kid a J3, J4 or what?"
A: USSA (United States Ski Association) is the governing body of US Ski
racing & competition. They have defined age classes based on the athlete’s
age as of December 31st of the current racing season.
J1 17 years old and over
J2 15 & 16 years old
J3 13 & 14 years old
J4 11 & 12 years old
J5 9 & 10 years old
J6 8 years old and younger
TRAINING
Q: "How do I get my racer to all of these races and training?"
A: We encourage parents to drive their children to the races or to team up and
carpool with other families.
Q: "If we are late to training, what do we do?"
A: Being late to training tends to hold up the rest of your group and coach. If you
find a CSRT coach with a radio they will be able to contact your child’s coach
and arrange a meeting place. Otherwise, all programs typically break for lunch at
around 11:30. Your racer should be able to find the team in the lodge at the
designated lunch spot around that time.
Please try to be on time! We understand that road conditions and traffic problems
can be an issue, allow plenty of time to arrive safely.
Q: “If my child misses a training day can they make it up?”
A: No, we do not allow make ups.
Q: "My boy is 10, yet there are both 8 and 11 year-olds in his training group- how come?"
A: While we make every effort to group your child with his age-mates and friends,
the coaches will attempt to arrange the groups based upon ability. This benefits
all racers. Your child may find him/herself moved from one group to another
more than once during the season as he/she improves. If you have concerns or
questions about why your child is grouped in the manner they are be certain to
talk to their coach, or program director.
Q: “Why did my son have only four kids in his group last week, but now there
are eight?”
A: There are many variables that we have no control over that can affect the number
of racers who show up on any given day (illnesses, weather, etc). We must be
fiscally responsible and try to operate within our budget and sometimes this
means that our coaching staff may change in response to these factors.
Q: "It is raining! Is training cancelled?"
A: If is unlikely-this is, after all, the Pacific Northwest. Always try to come prepared
for all and any weather conditions. On the wet days be prepared with rain gear &
an extra pair of gloves.
Q: “Can parents ski with the groups during training?”
A: NO. It is better to let the coaches do their job without having parents trailing
along with the group. Let your child adapt socially to the group on their own
sometimes having parents around can hinder this process.
Q: “Where and when do the kids meet?
A: Groups will have designated meeting areas, but generally these area will be at the
Base of Cooper Spur when we are training there, the base of HR Express out in
Front of the lodge when we are skiing at Meadows, please check with your child’s
coach.
Q: "What if training ends early due to weather or chair lift operations closing?"
A: At the beginning of the season your child's coach will establish a meeting area for lunch and end of day. This area will also be the meeting place in the case of resort or weather related closures.
Q: "How important is it that I check the ski phone or website in the morning before leaving home?
A: Very.
RACING
Q: “Does my racer need to be a USSA Member?”
A: Yes for J3 and older.
Yes for J5 and older Competition Team.
Recommended but not required for Training Team
No for Development Team.
Download the USSA Membership Application.($125 for J3 Racers and $60 for J4 and younger. $25 late fee will apply for J3 competitors if sent in later than Oct. 15, 2008. No late fee for J4 and younger.) Please submit USSA License directly to USSA - fax and address is listed on form.
Q: “Does my child have to race?”
A: No. However participation in races is encouraged. Racers may attend all the
available races for their age and program, some, or none at all.
Q: "On race day, what time should I arrive?"
A: Race Announcements will be posted on the CSRT Website 1-2 weeks prior
to race day. The race announcements will have meeting places and times as well
as any other information you will need for race day. Make sure you are on the
Program Director’s email distribution list.
Q: “Can I inspect and slip the course with my child?”
A: No, parents are not allowed in the race arena period unless they are a designated
Coach. It is best to remember to let coaches do their job on race day.
Athletes are accustomed to their coach’s feedback during training and race days,
they may not respond well to having their parents around and or receiving
different feedback. You can wish your child well at the start as well as bring
their clothes down to the bottom of the race course. All parents must spectate
outside the race arena.
Q: “How does race day format work?”
A: Groups will meet up for course inspection prior to the race start. The course and
race arena is closed to everyone except racers, coaches, race workers, and
officials. After course inspection racers will either take warm up runs or line up
at the race start depending on their start number. Forerunners will start the race
to check on course & timing equipment. J5 and older will have 2 race runs
combined for a final time. J6 and younger will usually only have 1 timed race
run.
Q: “How do I get my child into a race?”
A: Complete the Mt Hood Mitey Mite Race Council release form along with the
Meadows competitor release and medical consent prior to the race season.
Without these completed forms your child will not be allowed to race. The
Program Director will send out race announcements via email and post on
the CSRT website with all the race information. It is very important once the
race announcements have been posted to inform the Program Director if your
child plans to attend or not attend the upcoming race. If you have any questions
regarding the race entry process please feel free to contact the Program Director.
Q: "What are the Buddy Werner Championships?"
A: Buddy Werner Championships is a Pacific Northwest Ski Association (PNSA)
Championship race for J4 and J5 age athletes. Each Team in the PNSA has a
Buddy Werner Championship Team that attends this race. CSRT’s is made up of
our top J4 and sometimes J5 racers and is selected based on best performances
(times) in each run of the designated Mt. Hood races (races designated prior to
each race season). The team members will be announced in early March prior to
the Championship race. The BWC Race is usually in early-mid March and rotates
venues each year between resorts in OR, WA, and ID. There are additional race
and travel coaching fees if your child qualifies for the team.
“Which skis would be best for my child? Do they need two pairs?”
A: Please take time to look over the CSRT Equipment guidelines (link here)
Racer’s 11 yrs old and younger can race on one pair of skis for both events.
Some choose to have a separate SL and GS ski. This is fine also. When racers
reach their 2nd yr J4 (12 yrs old) they usually benefit from 2 pr. J3 and up will
tend to have a quiver of race skis for SL, GS, and Super G. CSRT’s classified
will have many great deals on used ski equipment from families upgrading in
size or brand.
Q: “What is minimally required ski equipment for training and racing?”
A: Helmets, if your child forgets their helmet the coach will not be able to allow
them to train or race that day. Also it is best to avoid rear entry boots.
Q: “How can I get a CSRT Team jacket?”
A: Jackets are ordered in the spring each season. You may be able to find a used
CSRT jacket through one of the CSRT families during the season, check the
classifieds on our website. Your athlete does not need a CSRT team jacket and
most kids do not have one their first year on the team.
Q: "I have no time to volunteer; can't I simply donate my deposit?"
A: We’d rather you not. If everyone did this, we’d be unable to host the races we are
responsible for. We simply cannot continue to offer the excellent program we are
known for without your help. So please try to volunteer.
Q: “How many times do I need to volunteer during the year and what
qualifies?”
A: Your deposit will be refunded to you when you complete three volunteer
activities. If you have more than one racer at CSRT, you are only required to
satisfy the two activities. Being a race official or otherwise volunteering to help
at our Diamond Dual race in January as well as our 3 fundraising events held
throughout the season. CSRT will track your participation and these opportunities
will be announced via email or website.
Q: “How important is internet access and reading my email regularly?”
A:Very! To take full advantage of all CSRT has to offer you will need to access
Both your email and the CSRT website on a regular basis.
Please take the time to read the CSRT handbook which contains all sorts of useful
information regarding the wonderful programs CSRT has to offer, as well as answers to
many of your questions.