Local ski coach Wayne Howard has spent 39 years helping athletes grow.
“It’s not hard, really,” he shares when talking about his motivation to show up every day, season after season.
“I think it’s one of the best jobs in the world, working with great athletes, great families, and just being outside,” he adds.
Howard was honored at the Ontario Coaching Excellence Awards in September.
The nomination caught him off guard, but for Catherine Strus, who nominated him, it was well deserved.
“It’s truly remarkable what he’s contributed to the ski community. And I think the ski community needs to realize the type of coach we have walking among us,” she says, pointing out the many “great athletes” he has influenced.
A carpenter during the off-season, Howard’s coaching journey began when he decided he didn’t want to build houses during winter. He laughs as he recalls his younger self finishing an apprenticeship program at a construction site in November.
He miscalculated and hit his finger with a hammer. The pain led to a moment of clarity.
“I decided then and there I was done building houses in the winter, so I went right from there into ski mode,” he reflects.
Since that time, Howard has coached teams across five clubs. He estimates that around 10,000 athletes have been part of his training programs over the years.
Younger Howard never would have imagined this level of achievement, he admits.
Currently, Howard is coaching the U14 team with the Alpine Ski Club based in The Blue Mountains.
His coaching style adapts to fit each athlete’s unique needs. Last year he had 41 kids in his program; this year there are 36. By understanding their different personalities, Howard helps skiers build on their strengths.
“It depends on the individual how you’re going to approach them and coach them for the season,” he explains.
A passionate coach at heart, Howard knows that weather can be one of his biggest challenges. The unpredictable nature of outdoor conditions affects what athletes can achieve during practice sessions.
Strus met Howard as a teenager but wasn’t directly coached by him until later. Their paths crossed when her team trained at private clubs. Years later she worked alongside him co-coaching a team at Devil’s Glen.
“Howie helped me become a capable coach,” she says warmly.
Describing how patient Howard is as a mentor, Strus notes that she experienced this firsthand when it was her turn to learn from him.
“Howie has a remarkable way of already knowing what message he wants to get across to the athletes but does it in such a way that brings this out from them so they discover it themselves without realizing Howie guided them there,” she elaborates.
Athletes under his guidance gain greater self-awareness by exploring improvements together rather than simply being told what actions to take next.
Additonally Strus mentions that Howard ensures essential aspects like safety are always prioritized. Because of his instruction and foresight regarding potential hazards on courses she became more aware long before obstacles could pose dangers. The year they coached together also saw her completing several certifications herself.
“He’s not afraid to let someone else lead. He doesn’t need to be the superstar; I think that’s what makes such a great coach and leader-setting up foundations while providing tools needed before letting others spread their wings,” she states confidently.
Skiing is an activity with limited opportunities for practice improvement during off-seasons which can make achieving progress tough until next winter comes along where training may only yield about 20 minutes worth actual practice throughout long days outdoors!
If you want motivate competitors among skiers effectively? Well then look no further! To help remind everyone about putting forth effort? Here’s Howards’ catchy phrase:“To be number one you have train like you’re number two.”Yet despite all these efforts combined? It turns out according so much praise directed towards himself-Howard truly believes it’s actually those very same individuals whom inspire themselves forward instead!When surprised pleasantly upon receiving award recognition last September? In response claimed gratitude towards everyone who stood beside supporting through everything over decades spent coaching away!After nearly forty years dedicated fully within field profession wise? No plans retirement exist-stating he’ll keep teaching young skiers “as long as [he] can still walk.”Fifteen individuals received excellence awards presented by Coaches Association Ontario (CAO) partnered alongside Hydro One & Ministry Sports respectively awarding nominees hailing various sports spanning multiple communities statewide altogether!CAO shared recently noting how almost two million people serve roles within province regarding sport coaching while seventy-five percent volunteer showing largest group volunteers found located within Ontario today!
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