There's a contingent of Canadians in Wanaka, New Zealand for the Junior World Championships. Practice is under way and the kids are getting their shred legs back under them. Read below for an update on their progress, and stay tuned for more.

Top photo: Julien Beaulieu, mid BS 900

From Wanaka:

The Junior World Championships of 2010 are currently taking place in Wanaka, New Zealand right now the selected few of Canadian riders are competing  in multiple disciplines such as halfpipe, slopestyle, big air, snowboardcross and PGS. Over 25 nationalities made the long journey (for us a mere 37 hours) to try their best amongst the best in the world. Despite being a FIS event, the Junior World Championships contest gives young riders a chance to mix it up at a fun event and socialize with kids who they will potentially interact with during the next year's of their lives and professional snowboarding careers. Friendships will bloom and fun times will be had.

Representing the freestyle team this year we have athletes from coast to coast, from Nova Scotia all the way to BC. Olympian Palmer Taylor is amongst the group and national team halfpipe ninja and 686 pro rider Derek Livingston as well. Billabong rider Victoria Marshall and You Look Good champ Sam Denena represent the female side of the slopestyle crew. We also have Erin Lee from Banff and Forum ripper Julien Beaulieu. To top it all off, Nova Scotia sent one of their best, Jeremy "kiss the cod" Page is here with his snowboard, his goggles and a serious case of jet lag. Last but not least Trevor NIblett, the Nomis kid from Ontario, is here competing in both pipe and slope. He's a funny kid and he wears some stupid looking bone in his ear that gets a lot of attention and warranted comments.

All led by Olympic coach, former pro and Icarus Shreducation founder Jesse Fulton. "I'm stoked to work with them all and we'll do our best." Fulton, who donated two weeks of his time after being selected by Canada to coach the event is a happy camper as this was basically the only event that he has not yet coached. "It's the last one I had on my list so I hope it is a successful one. I think it will be."

Today was slopestyle practice and the crew was throwing down. The sun was out but snow is not abundant here right now, and a recent rain has left the course hard in the morning and rutted in the afternoon. Despite the snow conditions the team had a great showing in practice. Sam Denena and Victoria Marshall were getting comfortable with their spins, Trevor was starting off his run with consistent switch backside rodeos, Jeremy Page was tossing some sort of invert that I have yet to figure out and Derek and Julian were leading the pack with consistent backside nines, frontside nines and a plethora of cab spins from 5 to 10's.

Stay Tuned for More.

The  2010 Canadian Junior Freestyle Snowboard Team
FROM L TO R: Palmer Taylor, Erin Lee, Trevor Niblet, Vic Marshall, Julien Beaulieu, Samm Denena, Jeremy Page, Derek livingston, and Coach Jesse Fulton.