Snowboard Yukon and the Women in Snowboarding (WIS) program recently wrapped up their fourth season together with the Women's Spring Shred Camp.

The program holds two to three sessions each year, encouraging riders to come out early in the season and again later in the year for a spring camp.

The program recently held their year-end session at Mt. Sima with six participants taking part and receiving instruction from coaches Anna Crawford and Katrina Couch.

"I think this was our best camp so far,” said Couch in an email to the Star.

Couch has been involved with the program since its inception and was encouraged by their progress this season.

"Women in Snowboarding is growing each year,” she said. "We were lucky to be sponsored by Under Armour this year, so we had some really awesome gifts to give away at the end of the camp, which is always a big hit.”

The sessions focus on riding development and basic freestyle tips and tricks under the instruction of certified female coaches.

"The camps are perfect for those looking to improve their riding abilities while having fun riding with other females in a comfortable and safe environment,” said Couch. "Snowboard Yukon attempts to make the camps as accessible and affordable as possible in hopes that more riders will come out each year.”

The program gained momentum last year when Snowboard Yukon was named one of the 12 national recipients for the "The Women in Sport Encouragement (WISE) Fund” which supports individuals and

organizations that offer or create sports programs targeted to girls and women.

The WISE fund is supported by the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS) and Sport Canada.

The annual grant is offered to individuals and organizations that meet the WISE fund criteria.

"As recipients to this award Snowboard Yukon tries each year to focus on female coach development, community development and athlete development,” said Couch.

Their efforts paid off this year with two female riders Haylie Grant and Lara Bellon dominating on the slopes at the Arctic Winter Games.

The two athletes collected 10 of 16 possible medals, including five gold for Bellon.

"I think we had our best showcase of female riding this year at the AWG's and at our Women in Snowboarding Spring Shred Camp,” said Couch.

Canada Snowboard began the WIS program when research found that female participation rates in snowboarding are significantly lower than the distribution of the general population.

Canada Snowboard joined forces with Sport Canada, CAAWS and the Coaching Association of Canada to develop the WIS program and promote the involvement of women in snowboarding at the coach, judge, official, volunteer and athlete levels.

Couch said there is strong local support for the program and those that are involved love what they do.

"Snowboard Yukon has a lot of dedicated female coaches who love sharing their joy of snowboarding with the community,” she said,

"We hope to keep the momentum going and do it all again next year with more camps, more athletes and more coaches out on the slopes.”