The days are going by very fast. Which means we are having fun and hopefully means everything is going smoothly and the job is looking good. On the ice it has gone well as the 6 and 7 year olds have a super start to all their fundamentals. Some of them could give our 8 and 9 year old junior instructors a run for their money in the skating drills. They need some more work with the puck but have a much better skating level then I anticipated.
We are told the next age group which starts their camp next week is receiving phone calls from this weeks parents letting them know how good it is.
Away from the rink we are packing in a lot of stuff into small windows of time. We are very fortunate to have super guides and drivers whipping us around to all the incredible points one should see while in China. Since the Forbidden City and Tienamen Square, we have been to the Temple of Heavan and Dragon Park. Dragon Park is where the ice surface was for the ChineseAcrobats, what an amazing show that was. I am also very impressed with the variety of architecture amongst the many business and hotel buildings throughout Beijing.

Beijing is Hot and Smoggy. I could never imagine how bad it was during the Olympics when they always made such a big deal about it. Well it’s unimaginable. Everyday is like Edmonton down wind from the worst northern forest fires, then just add +35 and 90 plus % humidity.

Day 1 of camp was such a blast, we were pumped up, and the kids and parents were excited to have us out there. To add to the fun there was also an opening ceremony done for the rink in the middle of camp, they do everything big here that’s for sure.  The rink we are in is actually in a mall, West Edmonton Mall style.  

In addition to the on ice sessions, the kids are put through some Canadian style dryland training and the parents take in seminars by the coaches on things such as the minor hockey system, Collegiate hockey, player development and physical and nutritional education.

Hockey players and parents are the same anywhere. It was funny to see parents in Beijing come to ice level following our skills testing portion grabbing our clip boards from the edge of the boards to compare times of their young players. Parents also ask how old our kids are that are out there demonstrating drills so they can compare their 5 to 7 year olds with our 8 to 9 year olds. On that note, I should say I was very impressed right away when I saw the ability of these young players especially their level of skating. It will be a lot of fun these 2 weeks watching them develop even further and getting to spend time with them and their parents talking hockey. We are in such a different place yet inside that rink it feels like we could still be in any Canadian hockey hotbed. Kevin.

Funny how life can go full circle. After a big hiatus from hockey following my competitive years, the joy and passion was rekindled watching my boys play. Kyle and I now have a super opportunity to go to Beijing where we will be working with parents and kids on the development of their hockey skills and programs. Check back here to see how things are going. Kevin Masters.

"Visited Custom Fit for the first time today and was greeted by Paul. The atmosphere was pleasant and inviting. I was a little early for my appoint ment so I got to watch some of the trainers in action with their students and was really impressed with the hands on instruction that each student was given on a one to one basis.

Got to sit down with Jen and go through my goals and unfortunately long medical history. She was upbeat and enthusiastic throughout the whole process and was very welcoming and encouraging and I am sure she will be a great motivator in me shedding the 80 pound goal I have set for myself. I am eager to get started and so look forward to working with her.

Thank you Jen."