Back to basics

It all started out as just another fun certification coarse me and my partner Kai signed up on. On paper it should have been simple, we could already do all the listed skills (so we thought), just have to learn how to teach it to standard right?

WRONG!!!

The many years of snowboarding it my way has created many bad habits and inefficiencies. Guy our instructor meticulously corrected and refined our body positions and movement sequences DAILY. I thought I could just pass with a Hail Mary on test day but again I was…

WRONG!!!

You were assessed every time you practiced and demonstrated in front of the instructor. The key was consistency

The teaching component was just as meticulous. Key words, sequence and flow all had to be consistently delivered to standard.

Test day I nearly automatically failed by skipping a step, the students (our class mates) were now so smooth now I forgot I needed to show them how it needed to be done! Saved by the one last chance words by Guy: “if you can do a once over what would you change.” A nervous explanation and demonstration later I was sitting there stunned and nervous in the cafeteria waiting for our fate.

Passed by the skin of my teeth for teaching with my riding skills saving me from the days before. I am now a NZSIA Snowboard Level One Instructor!

Its changed my riding for the better and I’m sure I can now pass through the plateau I had in my personal riding.

I’ve been reminded from all those 5 days, don’t forget to maintain your core fundamentals in all things in life.