Athlete Support Program: About

At Skiwax.ca, we’re passionate about helping you thrive in your athletic pursuits. We support athletes and community leaders by providing access to quality gear and waxing supplies necessary for their skiing pursuits, helping to sustain long-term participation in winter sports.

Why We Support Athletes

Athletic development is a lifelong journey. In endurance sports like cross-country skiing and biathlon, and technical sports like downhill skiing and snowboarding, people often reach their peak performance after years of consistent training. Through our support program, we want to help athletes stay active, connected, and involved in their sports community.

Whether working toward a personal best, learning new skills, racing in a Loppet, qualifying for a varsity or provincial team, or enjoying the camaraderie of local club events, we aim to make participation more affordable and accessible.

We believe every skier strengthens the ski community. By supporting athletes who train, compete, volunteer, mentor, and inspire others, we help create a culture where people of all abilities can thrive.

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How We Help

 Discounts on Equipment and Products

  • Significant discounts on wax, tools, and ski equipment
  • Priority custom selection of ski equipment
  • Demo gear

Support for Training & Travel

  • Athletes in our support program are eligible for travel expense assistance events or training opportunities.

Leadership & Community Involvement

  • Encouraging athletes to mentor younger skiers, volunteer at events, and lead club activities.
  • Strengthening their ski community and inspiring others through their participation and leadership.
  • Various honorariums available for community-building projects

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Why an Athlete Support Program

Andy Shields, the owner/operator of Skiwax.ca, understands the need to support athletes. He started skiing in "Bunny Rabbits" with the Waterloo Region Nordic Sports Club in southern Ontario. His first pair of skis were Peltonen waxless touring skis with 3-pin bindings. That was at four years old. Fourteen years later, Andy was representing Canada at the World Junior Championships in Hinterzarten, Germany! Andy’s story is of community support and access to sport thanks to the forward thinking at his ski club and active outdoor sports community.

When Andy started skiing in Kitchener-Waterloo, the club had a small program with fewer than 30 Jackrabbits. Many of the skiers had waxless, 3-pin touring skis. When we saw these young skiers trying to skate ski on waxless skis, it was clear participants needed access better equipment. With a grant from the City of Kitchener, a small rental fleet was formed. Canadian Wintersports became the club’s equipment supplier, and twenty years later, Andy purchased that very same company, continuing the tradition of support for ski clubs.

Skiwax.ca was Andy’s first equipment sponsor in 2009, one year before making his first National team. Nine years later, Andy bought the company to support his racing career and expand its mission. Today, through club support programs and partnerships, Skiwax.ca and Canadian Wintersports continue to invest in the next generation of skiers—just like Andy.

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Apply to Join the Program

We welcome applications from athletes, coaches, club or community leaders who are contributing to your ski community and would benefit from participating in our program.

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Apply Now 👉 Join the Athlete Support Program

Information & questions: 📧 kevin@canadianwintersports.com

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Interested in Supporting our work?

We would love to hear from interested sponsors donors or other social enterprises.

📧 info@skiwax.ca or kevin@canadianwintersports.com