DeKALB | Jamie McDermott practices skiing as a way to stay in shape and to meet new people.

McDermott, a second-year sports management grad student and Outing Centre graduate assistant, said skiing offers a great cardiovascular workout.

“I think with cross-country skiing, you work your muscles in ways that they are not normally being worked,” he said.

McDermott said he went skiing once on an Outing Centre trip, and recommends going to the Outing Centre’s cross-country ski clinics offered Tuesday, Jan. 23; Monday, Jan. 29; and Tuesday, Feb. 6. Clinics will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Outing Centre, on the west side of the Campus Recreation Center building.

Daniel Swan, assistant director of Recreation Services, said clinics are designed for beginners so they can learn the basic skills and proper gear fitting to successfully cross-country ski. The clinic will cover techniques such as the diagonal stride, herringbone, diagonal V skate, V1 skate and snowplow.

The clinics are free and open to the whole community. Students get first priority, and there is a maximum of 10 people per group, Swan said. Participants will also watch a video on covering the basic skills and gear. After everyone is fitted in their gear, the group will go outside and try some of the techniques and ski around campus, he said.

To conduct the clinic, use of outdoor equipment and staff’s time is needed, Swan said. Staff and equipment are paid through a combination of student fees, Student Association funds and income generated through program fees and rentals, with a minimal cost of about $56 to facilitate each clinic, he said.

Dan Beck, a freshman undecided major and Outing Centre trip leader, said he will be attending many of the clinics and a few of the ski trips. Beck said skiing is a great way to work out and enjoy the outdoors.

McDermott said the clinics are not only helpful, but are also a great social activity.

“Fresh air, no matter how cold, is great for the mind,” he said. “As with any of [the Outing Centre’s] trips, it’s also a great way to meet new people.”

For more information, call the Outing Centre at 753-9423, or go to www.stuaff.niu.edu/rs/outdoors/OCCrossCountrySkiClinicInfo.shtml.