elite snowsports instructor training snowboard course

elite snowsports instructor training

snowboard course

The up close and personal side of snowboard instructing

Words of advice from
Jason Clauscen
APSI Snowboard Technical Director, Level 3 trainer Examiner. As a snowboard instructor you often think of yourself as standing in front of the group calling out instructions on how to do this and that. It’s not long before you realise that you are not out in front of the group but working within the group.
Snowboard instructing involves a lot more than just words at times, especially when it comes to beginners. Unlike skiing, snowboard instructors spend a lot of time holding guests hands and working within the guest’s personal space.
Many people think that by holding the hands of guests that they are just there to hold them up or support them, but very quickly you learn it becomes a lot more than just that. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve held someone’s hands and realised that they were so nervous or sacred that they were unable to move their body, or even listen to a word I was saying. Quite often being in their personal space you can even tell they are not breathing properly or at all, because of what’s going on around them or what’s going on inside their head.
It’s around this time that you realise that you are there for them, more than you first thought. The amount of times you will just hold someone’s hands and give them a little shake and say ‘ Just relax.’ ‘You’ll be OK.’ ‘We’ll do this together’ will be unbelievable. Offering some calm words of advice and just being there for someone will quickly make you realise that your not just building rapport with your guest’s but your building friendships.
As you see your guests start to relax, let go of your hands and start to pick up snowboarding, the smile on everyone’s face grows. Even yours, as your upper body work out finishes. It’s these up close and personal friendships and experiences that make your job rewarding, enjoyable and fun. Yours Truly, Jason Clauscen
APSI Snowboard Technical Director, Level 3 trainer Examiner.
www.eliteskiinstructortraining.com

30 March 2010