"I Enjoy Kicking Butt" How Nordic Coach Deb Rose Still Kicks Butt & Has Fun after 40 Years

Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club Show

Today we get to pick the brain of our Head U10 & U12 Nordic coach Deb Rose. Deb is no stranger to coaching kids - she’s the longest tenured coach at the club; she’s been here for 40 years, probably longer than many of you have been on skis! And there's a reason for that - you're about to hear it, but first a word from our amazing sponsor...

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Today we cover 40+ years of skiing & coaching awesomeness:

• Deb started out in the pool and only found cross country skiing when her high school didn't offer other sports for girls. Her mindset: "So I can't do that. What CAN I do?"
• The importance of changing the semantics. Sometimes just using different words can change the entire outlook on a problem.
• Deb's philosophy:
  • Give the kids an adventure outside.
  • Open up their vision - look around!
  • Create a safe zone
  • Make skiing about how things "feel" not about results
• How the coaches are the beating heart of the club - they are what make it special.
• What Deb still works on every day: Listen more, have more empathy, be positive
• While Deb is very competitive and loves to go out and push her body, her coaching style is more subliminal - she helps nurture love for the sport - the competitive side comes out when it's ready.
• Her fountain of youth? Coaching

We are so lucky that Deb has chosen to give her talents to the Club for so many years. Thank you!

More on Deb Rose here:

Deb was born in Iowa City, Iowa and moved to Bemidji, MN at an early age. She began her athletic competitions in the pool and moved to winter sports. Deb competed in the 100km Minnesota Finlandia which led to numerous cross country ski competitions and triathlons in Colorado. Deb has been coaching the Nordic Development Team at the Winter Sports Club for many years and takes pride in the accomplishments of her athletes. She loves working with all abilities and seeing them acquire skills for a life-long sport.

As always, please share your questions, comments, feedback and requests. Go to sswsc.org! Now get out there and support, lead or be a champion on and off the mountain!