I'm not on an organized team, can I still compete in IFSA events?

You betcha! There are many IFSA juniors who are not affiliated with a team or club. We fondly refer to them as "Indys" or Independent Athletes. 
Indy athletes are welcome to compete in IFSA-sanctioned Freeride events, with a parent or gaurdian acting as their coach. Though without the guidance of a team, it can be a little more confusing to get started. For that reason, we highly encourage a complete and thorough review of our IFSA Junior Athlete handbook. This ensures participants understand the rules and guidelines that ensure safe and fair competition. 

Also note that to compete, an athlete is required to be accompanied by a certified coach. Parents or gaurdians of indy athletes will need to take a few hours to complete our online L100 Coach Training program and purchase an IFSA Coach Membership. Only certified IFSA members are allowed on the venue, so your parent or guardian will need to complete our easy and informative online training to be informed about our rules, conduct, and protocols. 

Note that IFSA Junior Series events are *very* popular and often sell out quickly. To ensure you gain entry to your preferred competitions, it is highly recommended to register as soon as registration opens. Registration times, dates, and links will always be posted on the associated IFSA Junior Series event page, so check often for updates. 

IFSA will always share weekly or bi-monthly emails during the season with helpful reminders on registration deadlines, updates, and news. You can also always check our NEWS section or our Facebook and Instagram accounts. Below are some very helpful resources for Independent Athletes. If you ever have a question, don't hesitate to connect with fellow competitors or contact the IFSA via our CONTACT page. 

1. Purchase an IFSA Athlete Membership. We have several types to suit your competition goals. 

2. Review our IFSA Junior Series Schedule and make note of the registration dates and times for your desired events. We typically post these dates and times in the fall in October or November. 

3. A parent or gaurdian is required to attend competitions with you, they will need to complete our easy online course for L100 Coach Training and then purchase an IFSA Coach Membership. This is required to gain venue access for non-competitors. 

4. Registration for all events takes place on a software platform called The Driven. Review our instructions for how to register on The Driven - because events are so popular, it's wise to familiarize yourself with the process since events do sell out rapidly. Registration links for The Driven will always be published on the associated IFSA Junior Series event page. 

5. Thoroughly review the IFSA Junior Series Athlete Handbook. This is so you understand the rules, venue inspection protocol, how judges establish your score, etc.

6. Visit our Welcome to Freeride page for additional information.

7. Make sure you have a properly fitted helmet and back protector, which are required during your competition run. See the IFSA Junior Series Athlete Handbook for additional information.