December 5, 2006 – Team Squamish is proud to announce their 2007 Team Roster. This vibrant young team with great potential for success is made up of the following 23 riders, listed in alphabetical order:

Philip Cairns, Danielle Dornick, Hayden Drygas, Ryan Edwards, Zac Gartside, Clinton Gould, Harrison Gould, Scott Halvorsen, Lauren Hughes, Eden Imbeau, Meghan Kindree, Neal Kindree, Ali MacKeller, Daniel MacKeller, Alison McClements, Jaclyn McClements, Michael Mee, Samantha Mee, Jacob Melville, Miranda Miller, Kyle Quesnel, Kyle Salter and Kodi Stoddart.

The aims of Team Squamish, as outlined by Paul Kindree at the first meeting, are simple — to encourage riders to have fun and stay fit as well as to develop and pass on a passion for the sport while giving back to the community. The team is expected to assist with trail maintenance and/or development as well as being active volunteers for races and events around town from school bike rodeos to the Test.

Through the development of a responsible and sportsmanlike group, Squamish will be promoted locally, provincially and nationally as a centre for biking excellence. With this in mind, Coach Kindree explained that to encourage positive reinforcement and growth of individuals, Team Squamish has a mentoring program that partners more experienced, Elite, racers with those newer to the team and/or competition. Two more riders were added to the Elite category this year by merit of their new ‘national champion’ status — 16 year olds Philip Cairns and Miranda Miller. In addition, local, high profile adult athletes will mentor the team at races — named as these ambassadors so far are John Irvine, Charlotte Klein, Dwayne Kress and Steve Murray. The Downhillers are much looking forward to their continued association with Shaums March and Mike Jones of Mad March Racing.

The team is now entering its winter training program — most of which will be done inside, but some crazy keeners can still be seen out riding the road and, when the snow is not too deep, on the trails. Building up strength and core flexibility are their main goals for the present with a bit of spin thrown in for good measure. An increase in bike time will pick up towards mid-February and a long weekend seminar is planned with national team coaches, nutritionists and trainers. Most team members are involved, also, in many other athletic teams and activities.

Coach Kindree acknowledged, also, the necessity of every rider’s support network without which they would have real difficulty fulfilling a demanding training schedule and season. This network extends beyond family for it includes their coaches and, vitally, their sponsors. The sponsors for 2007 are yet to be confirmed, but the team could not have reached the level of excellence achieved in their 2006 season without the consistent and generous support of local businesses, community members and, of course, the two local bike shops, Corsa and Tantalus.

In 2006 a rough medal and placement count gave the team 32 Gold, 18 Silver and 23 Bronze medals; 73 podium finishes; BC Cup Champions – Elite Male/Female; BC Marathon Champions – Elite Male/Female; BC U17 Women’s Downhill Champion; National U17 Male XC Champion; National U17 Female DH Champion; and National U23 XC Male Champion. These totals did not, amazingly, include any school races or some of the races members attended back east. As Head Coach, Paul Kindree, has a goal to increase the number of national champions and to end up with at least four Team Squamish riders representing Canada at the Worlds. With this aim for 2007, as well as to top the stats for 2006, well then … look out Canada … here comes Squamish!