DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?
We are in Search of new Bobsleigh Athletes
Do you have what is takes? We are looking for hard working, motivated athletes with explosive power, strength and speed. Candidates include athletes from football, track and field, Olympic weightlifting, rugby, and other related sports backgrounds. Though individual testing results are emphasized, team work, motivation and work ethic are just as important.
Recruitment Process
During the dry land training season from March to October, Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton, in conjunction with the provincial associations, hold recruitment ID camps in virtually every major centre across Canada. We perform the tests listed on our schedule page, and compare the results to those of our current World Cup and Development athletes. We regularly hold camps in: Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary, Vancouver, and Halifax.
Talented, motivated candidates are invited to come to Calgary and participate in a National Development Program Training Camp. There they will be introduced to the basics of pushing a bobsled, sled maintenance, and race preparations. Depending on their testing results, work ethic and attitude, the new athletes might be asked to come back for the National Team Selection races, and potentially qualify for the National Team in Bobsleigh.
National Team Program
Canada fields teams to the Americas Cup, Europa Cup, and World Cup Circuits as well as to the World Championships and the Olympic Winter Games. Our season starts with team selections in October and ends by March with either the World Championships or Olympic Winter Games. During the off-season, much time is spent in the weight room, and on running and push tracks.
Rewards of Being a Part of Our Program
Athletes have a chance to represent Canada internationally on the Americas Cup, Europa Cup, and World Cup Circuits, with the long term goal being the World Championships and Winter Olympic Games.
There is also a chance to perform on the National and Provincial level. These circuits and races include National Championships, Provincial Championships, The America's Cup, World Junior Championships (under age 26), and Alberta Bobsleigh Association Cup Races.
For National level athletes that qualify, extensive travel to such places as; The United States, Germany, Austria, Italy, Russia, and Switzerland is required.
Financial assistance can be attained in many forms:
- Sport Canada Carding - a government program that provides tuition payment and monthly monetary assistance determined by world ranking.
- VISA Awards Program - provided by our title sponsor.
- Federation Internationale de Bobsleigh et Tobogganing (FIBT Prize money determined by performance on the World Cup Circuit)
- Provincial Sport Funding (varies by province).
- Personal Sponsorship.
Eastern Camp Schedule
Atlantic Camp Schedule
Western Camp Schedule
Pacific Camp Schedule
| TBD |
BCBSA Athlete ID Camp, Kelowna
Mount Boucherie Secondary School
2751 Cameron Road
Central Okanagan G, BC |
TBD |
TBD |
There will be a $20 Participation fee to attend
Please contact
nsimon@slidebc.ca
to confirm your attendance |
| TBD |
BCBSA Athlete ID Camp,
Kamloops
Prince George
Victoria
Vancouver
Whistler |
TBD |
TBD |
There will be a $20 Participation fee to attend
Please contact
nsimon@slidebc.ca
to confirm your attendance |
BCS Testing & Competitive Ranges
| 30m Sprint |
Entry Level
3.85-4.00sec(M)
4.20-4.35sec(W) |
Development
3.75-3.85sec(M)
4.10-4.20sec(W) |
World Cup
3.65-3.75sec(M)
4.00-4.10sec(W) |
World Cup Elite
3.45-3.65sec(M)
3.90-4.00sec(W) |
RECORDS
3.47sec-Lascelles Brown
3.89sec–Shelley Ann Brown |
| Flying 30m Sprint (45m) |
3.30-3.50sec(M)
3.80-4.00sec(W) |
3.10-3.30sec(M)
3.65-3.80sec(W) |
3.00-3.10sec(M)
3.50-3.65sec(W) |
2.80-2.90sec(M)
3.30-3.40sec(W) |
2.80sec-Lascelles Brown
3.27sec-Jill Harris |
| Power Clean 1RM |
100kg-120kg(M)
60kg-70kg(W) |
120kg-140kg(M)
70kg-90kg(W) |
140kg-160kg(M)
90kg-100kg(W) |
160kg-170kg(M)
100kg-110kg(W) |
170kg-Steve Wiseman
112kg–Helen Upperton |
| Front Squat 1RM |
130kg-150kg(M)
70kg-80kg(W) |
150kg-180kg(M)
80kg-100kg(W) |
180kg-200kg(M)
100kg-110kg(W) |
200kg-220kg(M)
110-130kg(W) |
225kg-Lascelles Brown
134kg–Kaillie Humphries |
| 5 x double leg bound |
12m - 13m(M)
10m - 11m(W) |
13m - 14m(M)
11m - 12m(W) |
14m - 15m(M)
12m - 13m(W) |
15m - 17m(M)
13m - 14m(W) |
18.43-Jarek Kulesza
14.51-Jaime Cruickshank |
Speed Tests
We use a 45m sprint to test both acceleration and speed, catchingsplits at 15m and 30m as well. Athletes are given a maximum of 3attempts. Starting order and rest between attempts will be randomlydetermined at the beginning of the testing session.
The starting lights are set at the lowest height on the tri-pods, atleast one lane width apart.
The 15m, 30m and 45m lights will be set at the highest height on thetri-pods.
A one meter line will then be measured back from the starting lineand tri-pods.
The athlete must start from a 2-point stance with the entire frontfoot inside the one meter line (between the one meter line and thestarting line). This entire front foot must remain in contact with theground until the athlete starts moving forwards.
Once in the 2-point starting stance, athletes will not be allowed toshift their bodyweight backwards prior to going. No "rock-backs"allowed.
Absolute Strength & Power Tests
Strength and Power are very important in the sport of Bobsleigh, and are major indicators of an athletes ability to be able to push the sled well. For all strength tests, the athlete will take a maximum of 3 total lifts to work up to a 1RM.
The order of exercises shall be as follows:
- Olympic-type movement
- Squat-type movement
- Bench-type movement
Front Squat
Hold the bar with a clean grip, the bar resting on the shoulders.
Feet shoulder width apart.
Descend with the weight until the top of the thigh is parallel to the ground.
Weightlifting belts, shoes can all be used.
Power Clean
Pull the weight from the floor to the shoulders.
The weight must be caught in a "higher than half-squat" position; no full cleans allowed.
Weightlifting straps, belts, shoes wraps can all be used.
Bench Press
Grip the bar one hand width wider than shoulder width apart. Lower bar to chest (must touch), avoid any bouncing off the chest. Return to fully extended position with absolutely no assistance. Hips must stay in contact with the bench at all times.
Elastic Strength Tests
5 x Double Leg Bound, Standing Long Jump, Vertical Jump, and Forward Underhand Med-Ball Toss are all tests of elastic strength. These tests determine an athletes explosive power. Explosive power is very important in being able to get the 180kg+ bobsleigh moving as fast as possible from a dead stop position.
5 x Double Leg Bound
Athletes must start in a double-leg stance with their toes behind the line.
Athlete dips to a non-predetermined depth and jumps forward as far as possible.
Trying to keep the quad angle above 90degrees, the athlete jumps forward again 4 more consecutive times without stopping or re-loading.