Simplifying High School Waxing with Brad Moening
After 22 years of coaching Saint Paul Highland Park’s Nordic Ski Team, Brad Moening may have the credentials to be considered an expert in MN High School Nordic Ski Coaching. Starting with a team of 16 athletes in his first year, the HP Ski Program had over 100 participants per season since 2018. Not only did the team grow in numbers, but also in success. The HP Girl’s Team won 2 MN State Championships since 2019, and both Girls and Boys teams have been consistently in the top of State Competition over the past decade.
Brad Moening and Daughter Erin Moening
So nobody knows better than Moening on how stressful waxing for high school athletes can be. Despite that, he had a few simple guidelines that kept Highland’s skis consistently good, and helped athletes and teams reach State, Regional and National Podiums.
Brad Moening’s High School Waxing Guide
General Principles
Glide Wax: Glide wax alone won’t win races.
Kick Wax: Poor kick wax can lose races.
Kick Wax Tips
For Less Talented Skiers: They often need more kick and may request even more. Be cautious with overapplication.
Artificial Snow: Common in races—simple solutions like Rex N41 work consistently well.
Klister Recommendation: If you buy only one, choose Guru Extreme 39. It has a broad range and rarely causes issues.
Considerations for High School Racing
5K Races: Durability is less critical due to shorter distances.
High Volume: championships with 20+ skiers and 40 pairs of skis require fast, efficient solutions.
Kick Wax Binders: Roll-on binders are highly effective and save time.
Outdoor Waxing: Be aware that conditions may change how wax performs.
Green Glide Wax: be careful when high school skiers are waxing; it can lead to burnt bases
Glide Waxing: Simple System
Clean the Base: Use a glide wax cleaner.
Paraffin Wax: Keep it straightforward—Rex Blue performs well across various conditions.
Topcoat Application: Application technique matters as much as the wax choice.
Use Rotor fleece/wool for the top coat.
For wax, consider Swix Marathon or Rode Endurance, selecting based on humidity levels.
