John Cameron is a welcoming cross-country ski instructor who has dedicated countless hours to the sport in roles that include instructing, racing in provincial and national events — including the Canadian Ski Marathon — taking on leadership responsibilities and raising two daughters who are nationally competitive skiers.

John connects with each participant and provides meaningful technical advice. He has honed his ski technique through years of practice, advanced lessons and coaching workshops. He is known for his accurate demonstrations of technically correct classic and skate skiing movements.

John received the CCNS 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award and the 2025 Nordiq Canada Distinguished Volunteer Award. He is a member of Scotia XC Ski Club.

John Graham is a lifelong winter sports enthusiast who recently relocated to Cape Breton from Goose Bay, Labrador, where he lived for 36 years. His passion for skiing led him to become a Community Coach for the Birch Brook Nordic Ski Club’s Jackrabbit program in 2010. In 2019, he became head coach, recruiting new coaches, organizing training camps and leading professional development workshops.

In 2021, John trained as a Community Coaching Learning Facilitator, enabling him to train Jackrabbit coaches in Labrador and support the next generation of skiers.

Since moving to Cape Breton in 2024, he has joined the Cape Breton Nordic, where he volunteers as a groomer, instructor and board member. John is currently volunteering as president of the CCNS Board of Directors. His dedication to the sport and his community continues to make a positive impact on the local skiing scene.

Dorian Hudec is an enthusiastic long-term recreational nordic skier who occasionally steps into competitions. She has been a member of North Highlands Nordic and Cape Breton Nordic for many years. She served on the CCNS Board of Directors for four years, co-instructed the Becoming an Outdoor Woman program in 2019 and has assisted with coaching and volunteering at Cape Breton Nordic. She was also involved as the parent of two members of the Nova Scotia Ski Team.

Dorian enjoys both classic and skate techniques. She holds her Level 1 instructor training on the traditional coaching pathway and participated in Steven Novasad’s coaching session in March 2023.

David Hubley David Hubley is a long-standing cross-country ski coach with the Scotia XC Ski Club. A physical education teacher with more than 33 years’ experience, David has dedicated his life to sharing the value of sport. He brings enthusiasm to every learning opportunity and creates a positive, social environment for all groups he instructs.

David attends regional coaching and skiing workshops to continue learning and contribute to the growth of the provincial ski community. He has received the Support4Sport Coach of the Year Award and the Cleve’s Source for Sports Impact Award – Coach of the Month. David also serves on the CCNS Board of Directors, overseeing coaching and athlete development.

Daniel Murray’s  journey in cross country skiing grew out of a perfect storm that arose in northern Cape Breton during the late 1970s and hit full force in the 1990s during my teenage years.   The journey started before I could walk, being pulled in a sled behind my parents as they skied.  We were part of a tight circle of friends and community that found adventure on skis in the Cape Breton highlands, but also started up a Jackrabbit ski program, and eventually hosted the 1987 Canada Games nordic events and 1989 Junior National Championships. 

I was just along for the ride throughout the growth of our ski culture, and was quite struck at the national level athletes. This was followed shortly thereafter by the rise of the Cape Breton Loppet series, as well as the formation of the Highlander’s Ski Team by Dave Algar in December, 1990.  Within a few years, my friends and I were members of the Nova Scotia Ski Team, and having the times of our lives travelling, living and competing across Canada.  During this time, I also competed for two university ski teams (Augustana in Camrose, Alta., and Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ont.) and in numerous national and international competitions, including ten national championships, two Canada Games, one World Universiade and four different world loppets. 

In 2008, I started my tenure as the provincial coach and have since coached more than 40 athletes at four Canada Games, nine National Championships, 14 Eastern Championships and countless training camps. 

Michelle Richards is an enthusiastic and outgoing member of the Nova Scotia ski community. She served as a CCNS ski ambassador last year, supporting participants across Cape Breton Island.

Michelle received her first set of skis at age four and continued skiing in both classic and skate techniques through her secondary school nordic team. She is also a seasoned instructor, having taught thousands of people to surf over more than 20 years.

Michelle received the 2025 Recreation Nova Scotia Connecting People with Nature Award. CCNS is excited to have her as an instructor at this year’s camp.