Ocean Athletics Seahorse and Junior Development Program
South Surrey Track Facility
Maureen de St. Croix
Brad Smith
Ted de St. Croix
Robert Antscherl
Steve Peters
Jon Mathis
Sharon Hann
Charlene Janzen
Pete deHal
Cathy Carr, Joel della Siega, Jay Zhu (High Jump)
Don Allemeersch, Max Hannah, Jon Mathis, Robert Antscherl (Throws)
Meagan Bovell, Shannon Lesage, Matt Lesage, John Mavritsakis (Seahorse Program)
** During the Return to Play regulations imposed due to Covid19, parents may not join in the workouts as we are limited to 50 participants (includes coaches) at one time.
Seahorses: 2014-2012 born athletes – 2020 shortened season fee June to Dec $230 (includes a BC Athletics membership). Please add me to the Seahorse waiting list.
JD’s: 2007-2011 born athletes – 2020 shortened season fee June to Dec $320 (includes a BC Athletics membership).
** once JD athletes enter grade 8 in September, they are eligible to move into one of the high school groups.
Our programs usually begin in January each year, but due to Covid19 restrictions we will not be having any indoor sessions for 2021 in January and February and may have to adjust our training schedules depending upon the severity of the winter weather. Athlete intake continues throughout the year until the programs are full. JDS and Seahorses have 3 training sessions per week throughout the year. It is not mandatory to attend all training sessions, but a minimum of 2 sessions per week is recommended to allow for a reasonable rate of development.
The aim of the Seahorse and Junior Development programs is to develop and train a wide variety of athletic abilities - speed, endurance, reaction time, flexibility, agility and strength - through the vehicle of track and field. Athletes will be coached in throwing (shot put, javelin, discus and hammer), sprinting (60-300m, hurdles), jumping (high jump, long jump, and triple jump and pole-vault (for the 13 year olds), and middle distance running (600 - 2000m on the track and cross country running). A well balanced warm up session is followed by speed, strength and technical training. The endurance comes naturally through the different parts of the training session - hills, runs in the forest. We do not train any pure long distance running (5km, 10km, marathons) as these have not been shown to be the foundations of strong youth development. As an athlete matures and develops, they may choose to specialize for longer distances and specific events. The competition season usually runs from the middle of April to the end of July. The 2020 competition season will involve in-house competitions only. We will return to inter-club competitions when allowed to do so. All club members are encouraged to compete as it is an opportunity to test acquired skills.
The Ocean Athletics JD program is well established with provincial medallists and age class record holders in throwing, jumping, sprinting, hurdling and middle distance running. Since the inception of the club in 2006, we have won numerous Cross Country JD Aggregate Awards at the BC Club Cross Country Championships, and have had numerous JD athletes medal and finish in the top 10 in their age classes every year in both Track and Field and Cross Country.
Due to the 3 month shutdown March to the middle of June, the JD and Seahorse programs will continue through August until the Christmas holidays - weather permitting.
JD’S & SEAHORSES: MONDAYS, THURSDAYS 6:15-7:30 PM AT THE TRACK, SATURDAYS 10-11:30 AM AT THE TRACK.
Throws: Tuesdays 5:30-6:30, Fridays 7:20-8:30pm, Saturdays 10-11:30am
High Jump: Mondays 6:15-7:30pm, Thursdays 6;15-7:30pm, Saturdays 10-11:30am
Training: Athletes are expected to come to training sessions prepared to participate fully. Proper training wear includes a good pair of running shoes, shorts/training pants, t-shirt or equivalent, and a warm-up hoodie/jacket. Mitts, toques and extra layers are recommended for the cooler days. Hats are recommended for any sunny day. A personal water bottle is recommended as the Park water fountain is currently shut down.
Competitions: Athletes born 2007-2011 are eligible to compete in all of the competitions sanctioned by BC Athletics. Events are organized according to the Athlete Long Term development model. For example, athletes 9 years of age will have a short sprint of 60m and a long sprint of 100m, whereas a 12 year old athlete will have a 100m short sprint and both a 200m and 300m long sprint.
There are also 'competition' opportunities for the 2014-12 Seahorses. These are known as Track Rascal events and are usually organized into a grouping of 5 events - long jump, 50m sprint, hurdles, turbo javelin throw or ball toss, relay & occasionally a lollipop sprint race. Performances are not measured.
In Normal times!!! Junior Development (JD) Competitions may be 1 or 2 days in length. It is not necessary to compete on both days, nor in all competitions. The Ocean Athletics membership fee covers the entry fee for 2 events for each Ocean Athletics acknowledged competition. Additional events may be entered at member cost but it is important to look at the schedule to ensure that your athlete can handle multiple events with respect to both the schedule and their ability. We encourage all of our athletes to compete. We like to see an Ocean of Blue out there at every meet! If an athlete registers for an event but does not show for any reason, it is expected that the parents/athlete will reimburse Ocean Athletics for the entry fee (usually $8-15/event).
Entering Competitions: Meet entries are usually due 1 week ahead of the competition (In House competition entries are due 1 day before the event). All entries are done through the club. The Home Page will have a link to the entry form.
Competition categories are based on Birth year, not Birth date. If the athlete is 9 on the day of the competition, but is turning 10 before the end of the year, they are in the 10 year old category. Seahorses do not have formalized competitions until they are in their 9th year and in the JD program.