Nordiq Canada Welcomes New Para Nordic Biathlon Shooting Coach Menno Arendz

CANMORE, Alta.—Longtime biathlon coach, Menno Arendz, has been targeted to lead Nordiq Canada’s Para biathlon program as the new Shooting Coach for the Para Nordic National Ski Team.

Working closely with the entire coaching and Integrated Support Team, Arendz will lead the planning and execution of the high-performance Para biathlon program in an effort to provide the technical support Canada’s athletes require to continue the tradition of excellence they have enjoyed at the international level over the last two decades.

“I am very excited to return to Canmore to share my knowledge, passion and biathlon experience with Canada’s Para biathletes while leading the biathlon-specific components of the Daily Training Environment in an effort to help them all achieve their performance goals,” said Arendz, who is the brother to 11-time Paralympic medalist and biathlon ace, Mark Arendz. “I look forward to reconnecting with the team of coaches and athletes in the system, and immediately starting to work together to establish a program that will guide us towards our performance goals.”

Arendz is no stranger to working in a variety of roles with Canada’s experienced Para biathlon coaches including Bjorn Taylor and John Jaques. Arendz cut his teeth into Canada’s coaching ranks as the Biathlon Coach for his hometown 107 New Haven Royal Canadian Army Cadets in Prince Edward Island. He originally moved to Canmore, Alta. in 2014 to take on the Assistant Biathlon Coaching position with the Rocky Mountain Racers (2014-2017) in addition to taking on the Sport Coordinator responsibilities with Biathlon Canada (2015-2016). In 2019, Arendz moved to Camrose, Alta. where he was Head Coach of the Camrose Ski Club.

“Menno’s extensive coaching experience and positive track record working with biathletes at all levels in Canada speaks for itself so we are thrilled to have him working with Canada’s Para nordic program,” said Kate Boyd, High Performance Director, Para nordic. “Menno is an extraordinary talent whose coaching acumen, from the club to national level, along with his leadership skills and familiarity with our program will play a critical role in ensuring Canada’s Para biathletes stay focused on their performance targets. We are excited to have a skilled shooting coach joining our team.”

Arendz rounds out the Para Nordic National Ski Team’s newly formed coaching staff. He will report to one of Canada’s most accomplished Para biathlon coaches, Bjorn Taylor, who has played a key role in supporting medal winning performances by Canadian athletes over the last 20 years that has included trips to the last five Paralympic Games.

Taylor transitioned to the role of Athlete and Coach Development Manager in July where he works closely with 20-time Paralympic medalist, Brian McKeever, who was named Para Nordic National Ski Team Coach at the same time. One of McKeever’s guides, Graham Nishikawa, also made the full transition from athlete to coach this summer as the coach of the Para Nordic NextGen program.

The Para nordic program continues to be anchored by a tight-knit group of sport professionals, support staff, and therapists in addition to three of the best technicians in the field, with Ian Daffern (since 2002 Paralympic Winter Games) Laurent Roux and Bruce Johnson (since 2010 Paralympic Winter Games), providing athletes with the best skis, wax, and equipment.

Nordiq Canada is the governing body of para nordic and cross-country skiing in Canada, which is the nation’s optimal sport and recreational activity with more than one million Canadians participating annually. Its 60,000 members include athletes, coaches, officials and skiers of all ages and abilities. With the support of its valued corporate partners – Swix, Lanctôt Sports and Pembroke – along with the Government of Canada, Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee, Own the Podium, Nordiq Canada develops Olympic, Paralympic and world champions. For more information on Nordiq Canada, please visit us at https://nordiqcanada.ca.