Profile: Nicole Maurer In every organization there are a handful of people who just seem to be everywhere, doing everything. Often uncomfortable with the title "leader", they lead by example just the same. Nicole Maurer, winner of the OWSA's 1995 Special Recognition Award, might be happier with a plain title like "helper" but her list of contributions in the brief period she has been involved with the OWSA is anything but plain. In 1995 alone Nicole was an examiner at the Ontario Water Ski Instructors' Course, ran the new Wakeboard/Kneeboard Series, the Women on Water Clinic, and was a member of the OWSA Board of Directors. Here's a brief visit with Nicole: OWS: How did you originally get into skiing? NM: I learned to ski at our family cottage near Dorset. I would follow the older kids around and try to do what they did; we had Joel's (McClintock) book and then we met him at the Boat Show one year, that was exciting. Then my next-door-neighbour went to the Ontario Water Ski Instructors' Course (OWSIC) and went to work for a summer camp. She loved it, so I wanted to do it too. The next year I went to OWSIC, and got a job at Camp Trailfinder. OWS: You have a strong background with camps.. NM: Yes, I was at Trailfinder two years, as Head of Water Ski in the second year. Then I spent four years with Onondaga Camp, where I eventually became Assistant Director. OWS: How did you start volunteering with the OWSA? NM: Well, I went to the Annual General Meeting one year (1990) and suggested there should be kneeboard awards added to the Skill Awards Program. So they said, "Why don't you do it?" I did, and I was asked to be an examiner at OWSIC the next year. In 1993 I worked on wakeboard standards for the Skill Awards. And I decided I would like to become a part of the OWSA Board of Directors. OWS: Why? NM: I felt there needed to be more representation for recreational skiing, and coaching, and I like to get involved...I didn't feel like I was contributing a lot and I wanted to do more... OWS: This is your third year on the Board. How do you like it? NM: Oh, it's fine...initially there seemed to be some hesitation about having me join the Board, maybe because I was new, and from a non-competition background, and female. But I feel more accepted now. I learn a lot from the other members. And now I can help create programs and develop them! OWS: So you were working for a camp, and on the OWSA Board, and an OWSIC examiner, and developing the wakeboard program...and at the same time trying to get into teacher's college? NM: Yes, I tried to get in for three years, finally succeeding this fall. I enjoy being around children: I find it very rewarding to see them taking information and building with it. You give a lot and you get a lot back. So I gravitate toward those kinds of jobs. OWS: Like what? NM: Well, last year I was tutoring, and working with mentally challenged kids, and working at a store which sells teaching supplies...and coaching figure skating, and volunteering in classrooms. OWS: All at the same time? Plus the water ski volunteering? NM: Yes, I had about ten jobs at once, if you count the tutoring assignments as separate... OWS: What directions would you like to go next, with the OWSA? NM: I'd like to see more development on the recreational side. I'd like to see opportunities for city kids to be drawn into skiing. And I want to develop the Wakeboard/Kneeboard Series more, which will continue to grow...events like the Ontario Championships and next year, the first Canadian Championships will help us catch up with the USA. I would also like to see more emphasis on unifying coaching techniques and programs, so everyone learns the same basics. If a course like OWSIC could spread across Caanda, great,,, I think kids need to just participate, not always compete. They should be able to get involved without a lot of pressure. If we do that, more kids will ultimately compete. And I look forward to being a teacher, so I'll have more time in the summer to do this stuff! Maybe I'll be able to ski myself again... OWS: What are your views on women's involvement? And how was it working with Judy Messer at the clinic this summer? NM: Well, I can see that there's not a big effort put into developing women's involvement in the sport. The US magazines tend to use women to sell product and this is probably putting some women off. I know that there are a lot of women who are not involved- if they had more opportunities to participate, not necessarily compete, maybe they would come out... With Judy I guess I was a little bit in awe. I wish I could have worked with her more, to improve my coaching. She seemed generous with her time and excited to share her information, which was great! And I thought it was neat that the clinic participants accepted me as a coach as well, even though Judy was there. OWS: Anything else? NM: I don't know...get involved. Don't be afraid to go out and try. I'm a better coach than a skier, so you don't need to be great on the water. I think it's all about having fun and being involved. Good advice. And if you take it, you're sure to run into Nicole!