Katrina's 2017/2018 Season
Donation protected
Hey there! My name is Katrina Gerencser and I am a member of Canada's National Development Alpine Snowboarding Team for the 2017/2018 season. With the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang less than a year away, I need all the help I can get to make my Olympic dreams come true!
My Story:
I started snowboarding at the age of 7, eventually graduating to a racing board at the age of 10. For the next 6 years, I raced for my home club, Beaver Valley Ski Club, and then the Ontario Snowboard Club. At the end of 2010, in order to concentrate on my education, I stopped racing at the FIS level and worked as a volunteer coach/videographer for Beaver Valley's race team, competing in only provincial races for the next 4 years.
In 2014 I competed in my first Canadian Nationals, placing just outside the top 16 qualifying runs. This spurred my decision to do 2 FIS races the next year, and after finishing in respectable positions in both races, I decided to return to training and racing during the 2015/2016 season.
What followed was an unexpected and exciting season that brought me my first NorAm (North American) Cup win, my first second run at a World Cup, a tie for 1st at Canadian Nationals, and a 3rd place on the final NorAm Cup standings.
Following this exciting year, I was named to the national team, at which point I made the decision to dedicate myself full time to my sport.
My Request:
Alpine snowboarding is an expensive sport. Unfortunately in Canada, our discipline is woefully underfunded. Budgeting for the season will set me back around $60,000 after gym memberships, plane tickets, race fees, accommodations, training camps, coaching expenses, and equipment. Because I've put my career on hold in order to concentrate on snowboarding, I need all the help I can get to help lessen the financial burden on my parents.
This year, I did not re-qualify to receive funding from the Athlete Assistance Program, which would have granted me around $12,000. This money last year went towards my coaching fees, accommodations, training lane fees, waxing gear, and other equipment.
I have been riding on second hand snowboards (and sometimes third hand!) my entire life, and just last year, I was able to buy my first new snowboard. New equipment has helped me immensely, but the estimated cost of equipment by the end of the year can total up to $10,000.
I am looking to raise $10,000 in order to help me fund these new purchases.
To compete at the World Cup Level, 4 boards is the standard. Two sets of boards for each discipline; One for training and one for racing. Tallying the cost, boards alone will cost upwards of $5,000. On top of that, a plate system, an incredibly important piece of tech that goes on top of my board, can cost up to $1000. Furthermore, bindings cost approximately $300 while new boots cost around $1500.
Several people have expressed interest to me either personally or through my parents in supporting my Olympic journey. I’ve set up this fundraising campaign to enable that. Alternatively, I can be contracted to do work off-season as a videographer to help tell your story, or a public speaker, to share my own. Lastly, if you have a corporate marketing budget, I can proudly wear your logo on my race gear as I represent Canada on the world stage. Please contact me directly for any corporate sponsorship opportunities.
Thank you for taking the time to listen to my story. Any and all help is greatly appreciated!
You can follow my journey on social media at the following links:
https://www.facebook.com/KatrinahGerencser/
https://www.katrinagerencser.com
https://www.instagram.com/katrinagerencser/
My Story:
I started snowboarding at the age of 7, eventually graduating to a racing board at the age of 10. For the next 6 years, I raced for my home club, Beaver Valley Ski Club, and then the Ontario Snowboard Club. At the end of 2010, in order to concentrate on my education, I stopped racing at the FIS level and worked as a volunteer coach/videographer for Beaver Valley's race team, competing in only provincial races for the next 4 years.
In 2014 I competed in my first Canadian Nationals, placing just outside the top 16 qualifying runs. This spurred my decision to do 2 FIS races the next year, and after finishing in respectable positions in both races, I decided to return to training and racing during the 2015/2016 season.
What followed was an unexpected and exciting season that brought me my first NorAm (North American) Cup win, my first second run at a World Cup, a tie for 1st at Canadian Nationals, and a 3rd place on the final NorAm Cup standings.
Following this exciting year, I was named to the national team, at which point I made the decision to dedicate myself full time to my sport.
My Request:
Alpine snowboarding is an expensive sport. Unfortunately in Canada, our discipline is woefully underfunded. Budgeting for the season will set me back around $60,000 after gym memberships, plane tickets, race fees, accommodations, training camps, coaching expenses, and equipment. Because I've put my career on hold in order to concentrate on snowboarding, I need all the help I can get to help lessen the financial burden on my parents.
This year, I did not re-qualify to receive funding from the Athlete Assistance Program, which would have granted me around $12,000. This money last year went towards my coaching fees, accommodations, training lane fees, waxing gear, and other equipment.
I have been riding on second hand snowboards (and sometimes third hand!) my entire life, and just last year, I was able to buy my first new snowboard. New equipment has helped me immensely, but the estimated cost of equipment by the end of the year can total up to $10,000.
I am looking to raise $10,000 in order to help me fund these new purchases.
To compete at the World Cup Level, 4 boards is the standard. Two sets of boards for each discipline; One for training and one for racing. Tallying the cost, boards alone will cost upwards of $5,000. On top of that, a plate system, an incredibly important piece of tech that goes on top of my board, can cost up to $1000. Furthermore, bindings cost approximately $300 while new boots cost around $1500.
Several people have expressed interest to me either personally or through my parents in supporting my Olympic journey. I’ve set up this fundraising campaign to enable that. Alternatively, I can be contracted to do work off-season as a videographer to help tell your story, or a public speaker, to share my own. Lastly, if you have a corporate marketing budget, I can proudly wear your logo on my race gear as I represent Canada on the world stage. Please contact me directly for any corporate sponsorship opportunities.
Thank you for taking the time to listen to my story. Any and all help is greatly appreciated!
You can follow my journey on social media at the following links:
https://www.facebook.com/KatrinahGerencser/
https://www.katrinagerencser.com
https://www.instagram.com/katrinagerencser/
Organizer
Katrina Gerencser
Organizer
Burlington, ON
