First Para-snowboarding Women’s Development Camp

In a groundbreaking moment for FIS, the first-ever FIS development camp dedicated to para-snowboarding was held in Landgraaf (NED) at the end of November. Uniquely tailored as a women-only event, its aim was to encourage greater female participation in the sport. The event marked a successful debut, attracting 13 potential new competitors from 8 different nations.

Spanning three days, the camp featured both on-snow training and a coaching program designed for emerging para-snowboarding coaches. Adding inspiration to the mix, former World Cup medalist Renske van Beek served as one of the coaches. Through the establishment of a secure and supportive learning environment, participants demonstrated tangible improvement on the snow while simultaneously gaining confidence. What began as a collection of individuals culminated in lasting friendships, a seemingly minor but impactful development that alleviates the apprehension of participating in races alone.

The camp concluded with the opportunity for participants to undergo classification, resulting in seven new competitors becoming eligible for the Continental Cup in Landgraaf.