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<p align="left"><span style="font-size: large;">Not to be confused with nordic walking, ski striding closely mimics the movements of classic skiing, including the downward, forceful and snappy setting of the wax pocket and the decisive propulsion of the poles. </span></p>
<p align="left"><span style="font-size: large;">It is surprisingly demanding and quite a bit slower than running, with accordingly higher heart rates, so if you are way ahead of the group, it is likely you are not ski striding! (stride rate can very from 80 to 120 strides a minutes unlike running which may go as high as 180). </span></p>
<p align="left"><span style="font-size: large;">There are three gears – we will cover these at practice: Ski walking, ski striding and ski bounding. Ski walking is the most difficult technically, and the one that is key to good classic technique. Ski bounding requires the greatest fitness but is needed less often (typically at the top of hills). Those who are very fit can use ski striding much of the time. Keep in mind, though that you need to be proficient in all three gears. </span></p>
<p align="left"><span style="font-size: large;">1. Ski walk or stride all uphills (it should feel as hard or harder than running with or without poles)</span></p>
<p align="left"><span style="font-size: large;">2. Ski walk or stride the flats. If you find your technique faltering on the flats (it is more challenging than on an uphill) you are allowed to hold your poles and switch into an easy jog. (If you don’t hold your poles, we may think you are ski striding and you might get called out for bad ski technique!) If you are not a runner, you should be ski walking or ski striding 100% of the time. </span></p>
<p align="left"><span style="font-size: large;">3. Bounding is saved for the last 10 -20 strides of an uphill, or for intensity workouts. </span></p>
<p align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Technical Points:</b></u></span></p>

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<p align="left"><span style="font-size: large;">Body lean should be constant at all times.</span></p>
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<p align="left"><span style="font-size: large;">Back foot skims over the “snow” to land underneath your body. </span></p>
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<p align="left"><span style="font-size: large;">Feet stay close to the ground, avoid bouncing. </span></p>
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<p align="left"><span style="font-size: large;">Avoid knee bend “cycling”, allowing the back “ski” to come off the “snow”. </span></p>
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<p align="left"><span style="font-size: large;">Feel the quick, downward snap as the ball of your foot “sets” the wax</span></p>
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<p align="left"><span style="font-size: large;">Arms bent</span></p>
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<p align="left"><span style="font-size: large;">A</span><span style="font-size: large;">s</span> <span style="font-size: large;">hands</span><span style="font-size: large;"> pass your body, allow your fingers to brush your hips </span><span style="font-size: large;">(a drill)</span><span style="font-size: large;">. </span></p>
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<p align="left"><span style="font-size: large;">Eyes up! Looking down changes your body position. </span></p>
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<p align="left"><span style="font-size: large;">C</span><span style="font-size: large;">ontinuous, gliding motion</span><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></p>
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<p align="left"><span style="font-size: large;">S</span><span style="font-size: large;">light hip alignment behind the forward foot, to extend the glide phase</span></p>
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<p align="left"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>SKI WALKING</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> has a decisive “kick” downwards into the ground but no lift off from the ground. Front heel lands as the back ball of the foot pushes off </span><span style="font-size: large;">(2 points of contact with the ground)</span></p>
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<p align="left"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>SKI STRIDING</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> has</span> <span style="font-size: large;">all the elements of ski walking but with an additional </span><span style="font-size: large;">horizon</span><span style="font-size: large;">t</span><span style="font-size: large;">al </span><span style="font-size: large;">liftoff. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Y</span><span style="font-size: large;">o</span><span style="font-size: large;">u should feel as t</span><span style="font-size: large;">hough your </span><span style="font-size: large;">front foot</span> <span style="font-size: large;">is pausing slightly before land</span><span style="font-size: large;">ing. </span></p>
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<p align="left"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>BOUNDING</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> needs as much ver</span><span style="font-size: large;">tical height as you can manage! </span></p>
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<p align="left"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Ski walking – </b></u>zones 1-2 (depending on your fitness)</span></p>
<p align="left"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Ski Striding – </b></u>zones 2 to 4 depending on your fitness </span></p>
<p align="left"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Ski bounding</b></u> – zone 5 – briefly at the top of hills. Measure in seconds not minutes. </span></p>