Christopher Ensor
Nordic walking is a mix of walking, hiking, and cross-country skiing that can be done on the street, in the park, and most places where you travel in the open air. Nordic walking is applicable to all levels of mobility, and is especially valuable to anyone with a balance problem as well as those in good health and fitness. The movements in Nordic walking are very similar to classic Nordic skiing but the activity does not require snow or skis.
Nordic walking has major advantages over walking, jogging, and cycling for health and fitness because the motion actively exercises the whole body, not just the legs. The poles used for Nordic walking are similar to trekking poles but have specially designed wrap-around wrist straps and rubber tips.
Chris Ensor showing the wrist straps and pole tips on Nordic walking poles.
New Nordic Walking Clinics
Learning Nordic walking is quite easy, but an introductory clinic is recommended to practice it correctly. I am excited to announce that I have recently qualified as an instructor with the American Nordic Walking Association, and will offer Nordic walking clinics soon with the Foothills Branch Urban Walking Committee. The clinics will include a free loan of Nordic walking poles that are height adjustable to fit each person.
In December, clinics will be available to train cross-country ski leaders. In January, new leaders will help run clinics for cross-country skiers to prepare them for their first on-snow experience. Then, Nordic walking clinics will open to anyone interested in learning the activity.
Want to volunteer? I am currently recruiting hike, urban walk, and cross-country ski leaders to help support these clinics! All leaders will receive proper training first. If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information on Nordic walking, please email me at cgensor@gmail.com.
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Today I posted 8 student Nordic Walking clinics on the Mountaineers website
I have received confirmation that it is OK to use Nordic walking poles on regular Mountaineers day hikes and urban walks. That’s just the same as if you wish to use walking or trekking poles. The only exception is if the leader specifies that she/he/they exclude the use of poles on a trip.
It’s going to take a while longer before Nordic walking leader/instructors qualify to offer dedicated Unban Nordic walking trips. BUT this need not hold you back from Nordic walking with the Mountaineers!
Advice
To Nordic walk safely and successfully with others on a backcountry or front country trail, sidewalk or along a road shoulder using Nordic walking poles please follow this advice:
For Safety:
• Be careful where you point your poles to avoid injuring another trip participant or passing person.
• When not walking point the poles downward
• Keep a little more distance between the person in front and behind you than when you walk or hike without poles
• Keep pace with the rest of your group. You probably have the capacity to walk faster with poles than without, especially uphill!
• As we covered in your training undo or release your wrist straps and carry both poles in one hand using the other arm and hand for balance and to grab a handrail if available descending a flight of stairs.
• As a deterrent against a hostile action from another person, fierce dog or other aggressive animal you have the option to defend yourself with your poles (but on no account initiate a hostile action)
For effectiveness:
Remove the rubber feet when travelling on dirt or grass trails to get better grip.
You have the option to take off the wrist straps and grip the handles on difficult sections of a trail (navigating rocks, stream crossings etc.)
You also have the option to plant Nordic poles in front of your feet to help slow your downhill speed
MOUNTAINEERS URBAN NORDIC WALKING GOALS for April – Sept. 2026
LEADER/INSTRUCTOR CLINICS: Schedule 2 additional clinics.
STUDENT CLINICS/MENTORING OPPORTUNITIES: Reschedule a postponed clinic for May or June. Offer 6 additional clinics. These will be mentored clinics at times and locations agreed by each mentee and mentor open to approved Urban Walking Leaders who have attended a NW leader seminar and have assisted with a student NW clinic.
UNW TRIPS: As our UNW leader pool grows, schedule dedicated Nordic walking trips open to those who have attended a student clinic. To take part participants will have attended a student clinic (or otherwise shown proficiency in Nordic walking) and can bring their own Nordic poles with the correct wrist straps. The timing and number of trips will depend on the how quickly new leaders are mentored and approved.
CLINIC LOCATIONS: Find 5 additional locations. Those used so far at Seattle Waterfront, Seward and Pt. Defiance Parks and their parking lots are likely to be very crowded during the summer months. To promote use of transit, identify locations close to Link light rail stations on the 1 & 2 Lines taking advantage of the Seattle to Belleview cross-lake connection opening at the end of March. Suggestions for locations are invited.
PREPARE FOR 2027 BASIC XC SKI CLASSES: Contact organizers of the Everett and Tacoma courses. Seek agreement to schedule Nordic walking clinics as an optional part of their programs included in class registration information and offered in advance of on-snow training.
LEADER/TRAINER APPROVAL PROCEDURE: Prepare and obtain approval for a set of competences for Nordic walking and instructing to evaluate and approve mentees at their mentored student clinic. (Once developed, approved and implemented it is planned that an Urban Nordic Walking Leader/Trainer badge will be awarded).
PARTICIPANT UNW BADGE: Prepare and submit the requirements for an Urban Nordic Walking Participant Badge awarded after attending a student clinic and participating in two urban Nordic walks.
CERTIFICATION: Encourage UNW leaders to take the American Nordic Walking Association Basic Instructor Course: https://americannordicwalking.com/training-certifications/ This will not be a requirement to become a Mountaineers UNW Leader/Instructor.
These plans are open for suggestions & updates. Please contribute!
Either email me or reply to this comment.
Chris Ensor (he/him/his) Instructor with American Nordic Walking Association Instructor and Mountaineers Urban Walking Leader cgensor@gmail.com
