Canadian Ski cross team swap skis for a diving board

Members of Canada's ski cross team have been trying something different this summer to help sharpen their skills, swapping skis for a diving board.

Canada’s national ski cross team is used to soaring down a ski hill and catching air. This summer they’re catching air in a new way, swapping their skis for a diving board.

Jeremiah Barnert is the teams strength and conditioning coach and he says it’s all part of cross training, trying something new to sharpen their skills.

“The biggest thing is it takes them out of their comfort zone,” said Barnert.

“It’s safe and from a sports perspective it teaches them air awareness so when they’re going off different jumps and different features this gives them more tools in their tool box.”

Cross training

The hope is that cross training will help these athletes. Jared Schmidt, 28, believes diving can help him when he gets back to the ski hill.

“If there’s something that you’re working on for diving, you could take those skills that you’re using to try and perfect it and then translate it into ski cross,” he said.

“Air awareness too,” he added. “We’re in the air a lot and just being comfortable and knowing where all of your parts are -- and you’re not flailing around too much and smacking the water hard because you’ll probably be smacking the snow pretty hard too,” he said with a laugh.

Schmidt’s sister Hannah is also on the national ski cross team. She admits being in the water isn’t her favourite thing but feels it will help get her out of her comfort zone.

“I’m good on my skis and in the air, but diving into a pool head first isn’t my strong suit. I did a little belly flop today,” she said with a laugh.

“But I think it’s good for me to get out of my comfort zone and try different things throughout the summer.”

Another sport

Diving isn’t the only sport the ski cross team will try this summer. Barnert says boxing is next.

“So in July and August, leading into the (2026 Winter) Olympics, we’re actually going to be doing boxing as well,” he said.

“With boxing you get that tight quarters and competitive nature and feeling comfortable being uncomfortable again. It’s safe, it’s different and it’s fun. It gets them out of the gym and it’s great cross training.”