What’s the fuzz all about? #rollerski

Have you ever thought about skiing in Australia? Well there is snow in some parts during the aussie winter but for the most we live snow free so the answer to your wishes is Roller ski Downunder!! We specialise in “Dry land" skiing most commonly known as Roller skiing.

Based on the technique of Cross country skiing it is the closest you’ll get to simulate skiing on snow.

The basic equipment is identical. Poles, boots and binding. Only our skis are on wheels.

Rollerski has always been a popular training tool for skiers in the snow free season but increasingly more popular with outdoor enthusiasts looking for a great full body workout to add as cross training for other sports or just as a fitness exercise on weekly bases. It is also the best way to get ready for an upcoming ski trip, regardless of nordic or alpine it conditions your body so you get more out of your holiday.

We at Rollerski Downunder are specialists in coaching, hire and offer everything you need in our online shop.

Rollerski Downunder also connects you with other skier’s across the continent so you find a ski buddy or training opportunity wherever you are located.

Have a go, join the Tribe 🤟

Rollerski Downunder

www.rollerskidownunder.com.au

Why you should walk the Nordic way

Outdoors & Fitness, that is Nordic walking. There are many ways to stay active outdoors, running, cycling… but most of them are high impact on joints and body. Nordic walking is using poles to engage upper and lower body but the load is distributed evenly throughout so the impact on especially lower body (Ankle, knee & hip joint ) is reduced. This is why Nordic walking has become very popular for rehabilitation proposes but also for mature adults. However you can make Nordic walking a regular exercise or high intensity fitness training, depending on your condition and goals.

Many of the elite trail runners use poles but also most Cross-Country skiers during summer training.

The key is to learn the technique correctly, only than will you engage the muscles correctly and get the amazing benefits of this sport.

We at Nordic walking WA run weekly walks but also offer one on one coaching and private group training.

It is well researched that Nordic walking can help for post injury management, weight loss or even patients with Parkinsons disease.

Take the next step, explore what Nordic walking can do for you.

Nordic walking WA

Exercise & Covid-19

Walking info and updates!!

Covit-19 has impacted all of us but with some common sense and simple changes nothing should stop us from walking for now.

On the trail
We respect social distancing and we have more than enough space on our trails to enjoy the walk.

Pole Hire
All our poles will be cleaned after each use and we provide sanitizer for all of our walkers who like to have extra protection.

Payment
We also offer pay as you go payments or choose to pay via our online payments system at www.active4life.com.au
If possible no cash payments!

Stay Away
Please respect fellow walkers and stay away if you have a cold or flu like symptoms at the moment.
If you are in self isolation you shouldn't be out there full stop 😉 
We also ask you to stay away if someone is self isolating in your home or you have contact with someone who is.
This is necessary to ensure each walker can enjoy the walk with doubts.

Contact
Any questions please contact me via email at nordicsportsaustrali@gmail.com or txt/call 0411551132

Nordic walking WA

BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM

Are you Ski Fit? Prepare & prevent - Part I

One of the most neglected areas for recreational athletes is proper preparation and warm up before skiing and even more so leading up to an event.

Not only will your performance suffer you also have a higher risk of injury. Many studies have shown how important it Is for your body and mind to prepare by using specific exercises that will allow your muscles to perform at their best and you to be 100% focused for the task.

In our Part I we talk about warm up and cool down before a ride or event. The important BUZZ word is Dynamic warm up.

What does this mean and what should you do?

During warm up you should move your whole body through a round or two of movements that fire all the muscles and increase your mobility.

For years it was believed that static stretching is a good way to prepare, latest studies have proven that static stretching has the opposite effect of "warming up" ! The benefit of static stretching is to get your muscles relaxed not fired up. It can decrease the performance by up to 30%!!

Start the joint and muscle activation from the bottom up with a Join by joint approach.

Each exercise can be done on Dryland or snow, in your boots, and you don't need any equipment but poles can be incorporated in the warm up.

Guide
- Ankle circles
- Squats variations
- Hip side to side & circles
- Thoracic spine rotation
- Elbow & Shoulder
- Neck

This way you ensure you moved and prepared each joint and most muscles needed for the task ahead.

Another great way to activate and increase mobility is Muscle Foam Rolling. There is a difference to muscle being shortened or tight. Shortened muscles need to be stretched that's why we use static stretching in our cool Down. Tight muscles, mostly caused by knots in the muscle fibers, need a different approach and rolling is the most effective way. We use a foam roller & spike/tennis ball.

Important is that you develope a routine you can follow each time, 5 to 10 min. before you exercise but spend more time on your warm up if you nurse an injury or your body needs that little bit longer.

Next Step is to get moving :) Run or ski whatever the exerxise ahead! 

Once you finished your workout it is time for the Cool Down !

As previously mentioned this is now the time to wind down, bring your heart rate back to normal and stretch your muscles. Muscles may be tight but mostly likely shortend due to the work load. 

This is the time where a static stretch routine is most effective. Approach it similar to the warm up and work from bottom up or top down. Spend a bit more time on the extra "tight" areas. 

Hold stretches min. 15-20sec. depending on the area. Also in the cool Down a few minutes on a foam roller would help you to recover and feel better post workout. 

Stay tuned for our Part II Ski Fitness Strenght & Conditioning.

For more information contact us at rollerskidownunder@gmail.com

Copyright by Rollerski Downunder 2018

Cutting Poles - Guide to custom size Ski poles

Cutting Poles!!

There are few ways to cut depending on Carbon or Aluminium shafts. 
I prefer a Hacksaw & Poles cutter.

First remove the grip with a Heat Gun, be patient and don't get too close as cork handles can get damaged by heat.
(Alternatively use hot water )

Clean the pole and measure required length. 
Use Masking tape at the required cut length as this prevents fraying at the end.

Use some hot glue and slide handle back on.
Make sure you align it from the start to avoid and problems later.

If you are not confident ask at your local shop or practice on an old shaft!

www.rollerskidownunder.com.au

Why you should start to ski on wheels

If you like to be active and love the outdoors than Roller skiing should be on the MUST TRY list!

Sport has always been an important part of the Aussie way of living but skiing traditionally might not have been ranked in the top 5 yet. Cross country skiing might not even make the top 15 and Roller skiing? Well most don't even know it exists!

Events like the Winter Olympics have lifted the profile of skiing a lot and even in snow free places like Perth or Cairns people have heard about the hero's on skinny skis :) 

So what is the connection between Roller skiing and winter sports like Cross country skiing and Biathlon ( Cross country skiing & Rifle shooting).

Well, Roller skiing is the summer version of exactly those sports. Early designs of Roller skis date back to the 1930's. Skiers looked for an option to train in the snow free month and developed skis with wheels which allowed to train the technique and fitness without having to be on snow.

It has now become a recreational sport world wide as the benefits are much greater than just sports specific training.  

Roller skiing in Perth WA

There aren't many sports where you use up to 90% of your muscles, it will take your cardiovascular fitness to a new level and it has less impact on joints compare to running! Yes it does all that while having a great time outdoors!

How do you get started?

First contact a Roller ski Instructors like Cross Skating Australia and learn the basics in a Introduction clinic or private lesson. Like any other sport it is important you learn the correct technique and do it all in safe environment. School's like Cross Skating Australia also offer hire so you can try various types of skis, boots and poles before making a decision to buy equipment.

Roller skiing is now available in many places around Australia and we believe you won't regret your decision to give it a go!

Rollerski Coaching around Australia

Western Australia / Perth

Contact: Rollerski Downunder

Hannes Holly

nordicsportsaustralia@gmail.com

www.rollerskidowunder.com.au

https://www.facebook.com/RollerskiDownunder/

Victoria / Melbourne

Contact: Performance Nordic 

Thomas McMahon 

thomas.mcm@hotmail.com

instagram @performance_nordic

Contact: Australian Nordic Ski Academy

Ewan Watson

ewan@nordicskiacademy.com.au

https://www.nordicskiacademy.com.au

www.facebook.com/AustralianNordicSkiAcademy

NSW / Sydney

Contact: NSW Biathlon

Info@nswbiathlon.com.au

http://www.nswbiathlon.com.au/home/

https://m.facebook.com/nswbiathlon/

Roller ski Facebook group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/RollerskiAustralia/

Cross Skating/Skike Coaching

Western Australia / Perth

Contact: Cross Skating Australia

Hannes Holly

nordicsportsaustralia@gmail.com

www.nordicsportsaustralia.com.au

www.facebook.com/CrossSkatingandRollerski

Victoria / Melbourne

Contact: Skike Australia

Len Budge

Len@skike.com.au

www.skike.com.au

https://www.facebook.com/Skike-Australia-392106300892709/

Instructor training Roller ski & Cross Skating

Cross Skating Australia

www.nordicsportsaustralia.com.au

AUS XC

www.ausxc.com

Skike Australia

www.skike.com.au

Copyright Cross Skating Australia 2018

How do you brake??

One of the first questions we get at our clinics is how do i stop!

Now there are a few options but some are safer than others :)

Tradition braking techniques like V step or snow plow are most commonly used by skiers around the world but there are new accessories on the market helping us to slow down or stop safer and faster.

We teach the traditional form of stopping at all of our clinics, as it should be part of everyone basic skills set but Roller ski brakes are more common now and it does make stopping easier and safer. Most brands are fitted onto the ski and you engage the brake with your calve. By pushing the ski forward your calve will engage the brake on top of the wheel.

Fischer/ Skike Wahia Brake

Cross Skates / Skike have fixed brakes one one or both skates. The system is almost the same and very effective. 

The most advanced brake system is by Rollersafe, electronic disc brakes engaged by a trigger on the poles. https://www.myrollersafe.com/

Rollersafe

The other option are speed reducers, they are designed for increasing resistance while skiing ( simulate heavy snow or hills) but can also help reduce speed when descending. They are not intended as a safety product and long downhills can increase the wear on the tire.

Most models are very light and do not change the balance or feel when skiing, find below a list of brands and brakes. Note that brakes do need space on the frame so ensure you fit the bindings not too close to the back before fitting the brakes.

Elpex

SRB Barthelmes

Ski Skett

Skike

Pursuit

If you have any questions contact us at nordicsportsaustralia@gmail.com

Sources & pictures by

Cross Skating Australia, Skike, Elpex, Ski Skett, Pursuit, CXC Skiing, Rollersafe

Copyright Cross Skating Australia 2017

Fitness Tracker & Gadgets for Roller Skiing

How to best keep track on your training or progress is a common questions, many of us use apps, GPS watches or training protocols.

In this blog i try to explain some of the pro's and con's of gadgets available so if you are looking for something this may help you.

The devises listed are specifically for Roller skiing/ Cross skating, there is a much bigger choice for Cross country skiers but not all have a Roller ski function.

I have use may devices from Fit bit to Phone apps, GPS watches and followed training protocols.

Let's start at base level with

Smart watched or Fitness trackers ( Fit Bit, Vivo Fit,...)

Fitness trackers have become very popular but most of them have limited use for Roller skiing. Counting steps might be a nice feature for walkers and give you a good indication of your daily activities but that's about it. Distance is measured by steps taken (calculated on stride length) and not via GPS making it very inaccurate. Some top end models however have GPS functions so they are definitely more suitable for the task. The downside on all of them is the Heart rate being measured under the device,when striking poles or skiing with high intensity contact can be interrupted giving false readings.

Phone apps

Many use phones and most have downloaded apps like Runkeeper, Strava or Endomondo. Some smart watches are also compatible with these apps. They can be very useful to track your ride and progress over time. Apps Like Endomondo feature Roller ski programs so that is definitely our top choice when i comes to app and the one i used the most. Strava for those not familiar is also good to track and map your ride, you can also find routes mapped and timed by others making it a great way to improve and set challenges. The Cons are you got no heart rate measurements, the size of the Phone you need to carry and most of all apps drain your battery life !!

GPS Watches

By far the best option to track your rides and keep track on your progress. Heart rate belts give an accurate reading and all watches can be paired with phone apps or PC programs to record all of your training. I have noticed almost all big brands ( Garmin. Polar, Suunto,..) have Cross country skiing functions but not all Roller ski programs. I currently use the Suunto AMBIT3 sport and so far i'm very happy with the watch. Roller ski functions is available and almost everything you will ever need can be measured.

Best brands Suunto (AmbitT3,.. ) Garmin (Fenix 5/ Forerunner 735XT) Polar ( V800)

Other devices and Training protocols

One device that was deigned for assisting with training is the Racefox. A digital skiing coach that analyzes your movements, finds your potential and takes you to the next level.The sensor belt measures three dimensional acceleration of your torso through built in movement sensors.The coach is an app that interprets the sensor belt's signals, gives you feedback in real time along with extensive statistics for all aspects of your skiing. It also provides you with personalized training suggestions. ( text of website https://racefox.se/ )

However the program is only for XC skiing !!

Training protocol

Training protocols are road maps or plans that will help you to get your body into the best shape possible for an upcoming event. Maybe you like to participate at one of many ski classic races like the Vasaloppet in Sweden or Kangaroo Hoppet Down under,or perhaps you are an athlete preparing for an the race season or an specific goal like the olympic games than a training protocol is a must have item to keep track on your training.

Protocols can include any training from Muscle building to endurance work, intervals or long distance roller ski sessions. The key is that it is individually designed to your needs any current fitness level so you can build towards the goals set. Ask your local ski club, teams or contact us if you have more questions about training protocols or what you should do to get the best training possible. nordicsportsaustralia@gmail.com

Fitness trackers are are great tool to have in your training, but what matters most is that you have FUN ans enjoy what you do!!

GO Nordic

Copy right @Cross Skating Australia June 2017 www.nordicsportsaustralia.com.au

What Pole size do i need?

A lot has change in the past 12 month regarding pole sizes especially in classic technique. This blog is all about making things easier to understand and helping you to find the right size pole in Classic, Skate & Roller ski. Note this measurements are for competition only, but if you plan to participate in intl. races like the Kangaroo Hoppet or Vasaloppet these rule may apply.

International Rules (343.8.1)

In classical technique competitions, the maximum pole length must not exceed 83% of the competitor’s body height

The body height is measured with ski boots on from a flat surface, to the top of the uncovered head. The pole length is measured from the bottom of the pole to the highest attachment of the strap. All measurements will be rounded to the nearest centimeter as follows: less than 0.5 cm will be rounded down and 0.5 cm and above will be rounded up.

Feestyle (Skate)

In free technique competitions, the maximum pole length must not exceed 100% of the competitor’s height. Measured as per classic poles.

However most skiers use the height x 0.9 formula + 1-3cm

We use a more general approach in Skate pole measurement recommending 18-20 cm minus the skiers height. ( 180 cm - 20 cm = 160 cm pole/ approx. 158 cm to top of handle  )

Roller ski

Roller ski competitions Due to the fact that athletes on roller skis are standing higher than on their skis, the maximum pole length must not exceed 83% of the competitor’s body height + 5 cm (max = (h+5)*0,83).

Same 100% rule applies for freestyle/skating technique.

We also get asked many times if the measurement for XC is different to roller ski, Roller skis are generally higher off the ground than skis, but on the other hand, your tip sinks into the snow and the roller ski ferrules don’t dig into the pavement.

Also to consider is that roller ski tips might increase the height slightly when changing from XC tips to roller ski tips.

Official 83% Chart

Source: Guidelines Equipment Cross-Country Skiing (07.11.2016) Maximum Pole Length Classical Technique Competitions

If you have any questions please contact us at nordicsportsaustralia@gmail.com, Follow us on Facebook/CrossSkatingandRollerski or visit www.nordicsportsaustralia.com.au

Copyright @ Cross Skating Australia June 2017

Nordic skiing in Australia ??

Nordic skiing down under?

Yes you can and you should! When the snow is melting in the northern hemisphere the winter is slowly coming to us. Winter might not last as long as in Europe or Northern America but there is a great choice of cross country ski trails waiting for you to explore.

Cross country skiing is for the whole family, no matter if you are a beginner or expert skier. This is a great way to enjoy the snow. 

There are various events throughout the Australian Winter season, the highlights are the annual Kangaroo Hoppet in Falls Creek or the Parisher XC ski week.

You can find more information about the individual resorts below or visit http://discoverxcski.com/ for more information about this great sport.

Our Top Choices

Falls Creek

Falls Creek is known as the home of Australian
Cross Country Skiing for good reason. Not only
is it home base for the Australian National Team
but it also has one of the most expansive trail
networks of any resort in the country. Through
65km of groomed trails you can gain access to
corners of the Bogong High Plains rarely seen
by most visitors. Take in breathtaking panoramic
views across the vast plains, deep valleys, snowy
mountains and majestic Rocky Valley Lake. This
is the pristine High Country at its best.

http://www.fallscreek.com.au/xcskiing

Kangaroo Hoppet

Perisher XC

The Perisher Cross Country Centre offers a huge variety of trails (drop menu of maps/profiles) for you to enjoy, with no trail fees to pay. Many trails are groomed daily giving the skater, the classic skier and the tourer a choice of trails to ski on. Depending on snow conditions you can have up to 50 km of groomed trails to explore between Perisher, Charlotte Pass and Smiggins. The skiing standard required to ski the various trails varies from beginner to advanced.

http://www.perisherxcountry.org/

Perisher XC ski week

Hotham & Dinner plain

Hotham and Dinner Plain has over 35km of trails, with circuits ranging in length from 2km to 15km. 

Hotham has a variety of cross county trails from Wire Plain to explore the peaceful snow environment away from the bustle of the village area.  Look for wombat tracks and towards to the end of the winter season see Flame Robins fossicking for insects in the snow.  Four main trail areas are described below.  Many smaller links are worth exploring and find them on the trail map. Some trails start straight from Hotham village, or you can take the free village shuttle bus to Wire Plain, the starting point for most courses. Other trails start around Dinner Plain. Something for everyone!

http://www.mthotham.com.au/events-activities/winter-activities/xc-biathlon/

Mt. Sterling

As Mt Stirling’s trails are free to use, cross-country skiing is a low-cost alternative and offers fun for the whole family. 

A number of cross-country ski packages are available through Stirling Experience. The packages offer true value for money, allowing you to easily experience the joys of cross-country skiing in a relaxed and friendly Resort.

http://www.mtstirling.com.au/ski.php

Info & source by

Discoverxcski.com, MtSterling.com.au, MtHotham.com.au, Fallscreek.com.au, Perisherxcountry.org, google.com.au

Roller Ski & Cross Skate Maintenance

If you Roller Ski or Cross Skate, then maintenance isn’t an option, it’s an absolute requirement.

Helmet

While the helmet is not technically a part of the Rollerski/Cross skate, it is by far the most important piece of your equipment. Check the helmet for wear and tear. How old is it? Does it fit securely and are all straps and clips intact? Has the helmet seen an impact?

If you fall, even once, and the helmet touched ground, then you need to seriously consider how hard the fall was and look closely for scratches, fissures, or any sign at all that the helmet is damaged.

My personal choice is the Bluegrass golden eyes with extra-long skull protection.

Rollerskis & Cross Skates

Because Roller skis are short in length, very high stress is directed to the frame, wheels and parts. Therefore proper maintenance of your Roller skis is important for your own safety and also for the longevity of your skis. When purchasing Roller skis, be sure to thoroughly read the instructions that accompany the skis. The same applies for Cross skates.

After each session wipe any dirt or other grime from the ski or skate with a damp cloth only

Do not wash with pressure cleaner. The Skis/Skates should be kept in a dark and cool place, where the wheels will stay longer in good condition. (Not in your car!!)

Switch skis and rotate wheels so you limit the wear and tear.

Binding

Check your binding screws often to ensure they are secure. If the binding comes off your Roller ski while you are skiing, so do you! Keep Binding clean and check all moving parts, some may require lubricant or grease.

The same applies to Cross Skates, check your straps for signs of wear and tighten screws if necessary.

Wheels and Bearings

New wheels and parts are normally well greased inside. Depending on the use and the conditions, the ratchet, bearings and the axle must be lubricated with low friction water repellent grease at all times.

Keep your Rollerskis clean and store them at room temperature.

Check the frame and wheels and “feel” the bearings before each outing. When skiing in wet conditions, wipe skis clean and dry and lubricate the wheels properly after skiing.  Only use a solventless lubrication.

Note that any deep scrapes along the bottom of an aluminium frame may cause a weak point in the material and possibly a serious accident if it snaps. If you are using carbon roller skis, ensure that there are no serious impact fractures anywhere on the frame

Ratchet Wheel Maintenance (that’s the wheel on a classic ski that only moves in the forward direction)

• Loosen the axle and take the wheel off the frame (most Rollerskis use a 13mm bolt for the ratchet wheel)
• Take off the axle. Use soft rubber or a wood mallet (to protect the threads).
• Clean and dry all parts with a clean cloth. Do not use solvents!
• Grease the axle and the ratchet (and also the inside of the wheel) with low friction water repellent grease.
• Using too much or too viscous a grease may cause the ratchet mechanism to slip in colder temperatures.
• Check the bearings. If they feel and sound “rough”, replace them.
• Place the axle inside the wheel and carefully insert the bearings.
• Mount the assembled wheel onto the frame (the axle must be placed at the very bottom of the fork slots) and make sure, that the axle nuts are tight. IMPORTANT: Always use 2 wrenches to tighten the ratchet wheel simultaneously from both sides! If you tighten one side at a time, you seriously risk torquing the axle enough to bend open the axle slot on the frame.
• If any grease should get smeared on the outer surface of the wheel, be sure to clean it off as the grease can degrade the rubber compound which the wheel is made of.

(info from http://www.canadianwintersports.com/rollerski-repairs/  )

Non Ratchet Wheel Maintenance

Check the bearings periodically, otherwise service in the same way as the clutch wheel.

Cross Skates

Check Cross skate tires for any damage to the rubber including punctures. Always carry a spare tube with you. Also check the valves for any damage and keep your tyre pressure (usually 100psi) up.

Some models ( Skike V08 lift,..) also feature ratchet wheels so apply same maintenance as above.

Rollerski/Cross Skates Tips and Poles

Don’t stop your safety check until you’ve confirmed your poles aren’t damaged. An untimely pole snap on pavement could cause a fall. Not fun.

Just as important, have a look at your Roller ski pole ferrules: they should be very securely glued on to the pole, aligned properly with your grip, and not be able to twist (either the grip or the ferrule). Your Roller ski ferrules should have a beefy and roadworthy carbide tip. Check that the tip itself is securely inserted into the plastic ferrule and there is no wiggle or bend in it at all.

Lastly, your tips need to be sharp in order to work! Sharpen them as often as possible, mainly because it’s very quick and easy to keep tips sharp with a few strokes of a diamond file rather than wait until they are completely rounded.

Have fun outdoors!!

Information about Cross Skating & Roller ski in Australia @  www.nordicsportsaustralia.com.au

Equipment starter guide - Roller Ski

Choosing Roller ski equipment can be a daunting experience. With so many manufactures and brands available nowadays it is confusing for even experienced skiers to choose the best suitable skis, poles and bindings.

This is a guide to narrow it down to a few types and brands so you get a better overview on what to look for in your first set of skis.

Most people with Cross country skiing experience know the difference between the two styles ( Classic vs Skating). In Perth however most people have never been on skis or have never even seen snow before so picking the best style and ski is even more confusing.

Let me quickly brake it down for you in simple terms. The original technique used by skiers on snow is classic, it is a quick way to get moving on snow and on wheels. Classic Roller skis have a longer frames and wider wheels than skate skis, making them a bit more stable for beginners. In our clinics we usually start on classic skis for that reason.

Skating on the other hand might be a bit more familiar to anyone growing up without snow as the technique is similar to inline skating, roller skating and skating on ice.

I highly recommend to take a introduction clinic and learn the basics of skiing as this will make your choice of skis a lot easier but let's talk equipment

(More info on our website)

Roller skis

For classic skis i recommend a ski with alloy frame, length of 70 cm or more and medium/standard speed wheels (75 x 44 mm/ most widely used wheel size). The choice between alloy vs composite/carbon is more about price not as such a " need to have" when getting started. I do however like composite frames as the the give a "softer" feel and less vibrations when skiing.Classic skis usually come with one reverse lock wheel mounted by manufacturer either back or forward on each ski. If not i would definitely ask to have them fitted.

My recommendation is the KV+ Launch classic, Bones Skimo or Elpex Wasa

For a Skate skis i would choose a ski with 100 x 24 mm medium/standard speed wheels, alloy frame and min. 58 cm frame for males and min. 53 cm  frames for females and juniors. The same alloy vs composite/carbon applies for skate skis.

Good choices are the KV+ Launch 60cm / 53,5cm, Bones Snowflex or Swenor skate

Bindings

Once again no easy choice. The main question to answer is,do you go for a NNN or SNS system? It's a bit like Netflix vs Cable or VHS vs Beta system.

My personal choice is the NNN system ( Rottefella ),one of the main reasons being is that this system has the bigger choice of compatible boots but more to that later.

We use the Rottefella Xcelerator 2.0 Rollski & NIS plate

If you find a good deal with a SNS system ( Salomon, Atomic,..) than there is nothing wrong with choosing this system, just make sure you read the next chapter about boots.

Boots

Depending on your choice of bindings you now have to choose a fitting boot. All Cross country ski boots fit on roller ski bindings but i prefer Roller ski boots especially in the Australian climate.

If you chose NNN system than the main manufactures you can choose from are Alpina, Fischer and Rossignol. For SNS system Salomon, Atomic and Botas

The second decision is the type of Boot. Skate for skating ( stiffer cuff for more stability ) or classic ( more flex ). 

We use Alpina ASK skate Roller ski boots and Fischer RC Combi Roller ski boots

Poles

The final important choice are the Poles. We use different length poles for skating and classic technique but there are adjustable poles available on the market.

I recommend a mid range pole like the KV+ Advance or Swix Ct3 as they are reasonable in pricing but give a great feel when skiing.

Use this basic guide for sizing.Classic poles measure your height/lenght to shoulders or just below and for skate to chin or mid lip. Roller ski poles come with special tips but all XC ski poles can be retro fitted with roller ski tips.

General Advice

Always wear a helmet when roller skiing. When skiing early in the morning or late afternoon i also recommend reflective clothing.

Choose trails with smooth surface and low in traffic. Especially when learning stay away from busy trails until you've mastered the basic skills.

Find a great selection of equipment at www.the-nordic-sports-store.myshopify.com or contact us if you have any more question.

Learn to ski with qualified instructors, join our clinics in Perth or get in touch and we can help you to find someone near you.

I know this is still a lot of information but i hope it made your choice a bit easier!

Most important is you get started with this great sport. Spend time outdoors and life live the NORDIC WAY

by

Cross Skating Australia/Roller ski Downunder

Welcome to My Blog

Our passion is Nordic sports, we like to share our experience and stories with you. Find out more about Roller ski, Cross Skating and Nordic walking. Learn tips and tricks about technique and equipment. We share our secrets, best trails and post updates about the latest events all over the world.

If you like to share some information and stories, plan an event or have questions please contact us at nordicsportaustralia@gmail.com

We are ONE community, Life live the NORDIC WAY!!