2004 by APSI Inc

Official newsletter of the Australian Professional Snowsport Instructors Inc. A98X

Spring 2004

2004 Demo team

IN THIS ISSUE All the news and results from season 2004 • Skier Analysis – understanding the process • Matt Leabeater – 2004 Sodergen Scholarship Winner • How to make a novelty beanie …and all the regular reports from your favourite resorts.

OFFICE NEWS OFFICE NEWS I know there are still a few little teething problems, but we are constantly working on ways to improve it and make it easier for you, the member, to use.

I have lots of people that need to be thanked:Andrew Rae, Jason Clauscen, Bruce Wharrie and Tony Keeble in their roles as Technical Directors. Their assistance each season is invaluable.

Season 2004 Well, Season 2004 saw a few changes in our Board of Management at the AGM at Thredbo. Dave Anderson said goodbye and we welcomed Tony Smythe as the new President. I must say, it was strange to suddenly have someone new in the role as President after working with Dave for 2 1/2 years! Dave has still been assisting me with bits and pieces over the last couple of months whilst we had the change over, so a very big thanks to Dave.Thanks, also, to Tony, who came in and continued to support me in my role. It was very exciting this year to introduce the APSI merchandise, and have the Trainers’ uniforms. Well done to Jemma Wines for organising all this, she did a fantastic job and it’s great to see people buying a bit of APSI merchandise. The website proved to be quite popular in the registrations for courses and exams.We had quite an increase in registrations coming in via the online shop, which is great to see.

Autumn 2004

The APSI members, trainers and examiners, technical committees and – last but not least – the Mountain Representatives. Everyone’s help and assistance each season is greatly appreciated. To the Snowsport School Directors and Resort Managements, thank you for your ongoing support.A very big Thank You to Perisher Blue for their assistance

with getting the trainers out onto snow at this year’s Trainers Coordination.And to Thredbo, whose meeting facilities were fantastic for Trainers Co-ordination.

Your 2004 membership renewal card is enclosed with this edition of SnowPro, and remember to pay your fees before 31 March to take advantage of the ‘early bird’ discount.We have available the three-year membership again, which is perfect for those who have trouble remembering to pay their membership each year! I will be in the office over summer preparing for season 2005 and I can be contacted on 02 6056 0611 or at claire@apsi.net.au if you need any assistance. All the best for the coming months wherever you may be, and see you in 2005. Claire Stanton

VISIT THE APSI ONLINE

Hi, and welcome to the 2004 end of season “Snowpro”. For many of you, this will be your first edition, and to all our new members I extend a very warm welcome and a thank you for choosing a career path in snow sport instruction.There are many and varied options open from here, grab them when you can as you never know where they will lead. As you may know, Dave Anderson stood down as president at the June AGM. On behalf of the Board, Members and Claire, I would like to offer Dave our heartfelt congratulations on such an enormous job he did in establishing the current structure and administration of our association. It was quite an achievement to build something from scratch with limited business knowledge. Dave will still be doing some of the work on the website and answering questions from time to time. Enjoy the sailing, Dave! I have been elected for a oneyear term.At the next AGM, in June 2005, there will be an election for president for a further four-year term, as per our Constitution. I would like to congratulate Jemma Wines for making this year a contested election. Contested elections are healthy for an association, as it shows people really care.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

To n y Smythe A job well done, gentlemen.And finally to the Board, thank you for the countless hours contributed to ensuring our Association moves forward.All our members should be aware that Board positions are on a voluntary basis. What a blessed season we have had.“Is this what it’s like all the time?” I heard asked a number of times from new instructors. Unfortunately, it’s not – so treasure your memories. During July and August, I had to remind myself that it really was Australia, such great quality and cover. But as usual it has finished all too quickly, and here we are contemplating our next move.

A summer on the beach or another four months in ski boots.Whatever your choice, have fun. An item of interest is the move towards having Andrew Rae employed on a full-time basis. It is becoming increasingly clear that we need to have someone working full-time on improving, updating, rewriting and developing our manuals, workbooks and products etc, as well as developing strategies for marketing and sponsorship.This position will be an advantage for all disciplines.At the time of print the Board has agreed in principle to Andrew’s application and is working through the terms and conditions. We had hoped to have Andrew working from October, but January appears more likely. One of his major tasks over the summer will be to produce a new technical manual. We envisage it will be in a format that will enable you to add different disciplines and updates as required. I can assure you that Andrew will be representing all disciplines in the work he undertakes.

Continued on page 4

For me, the position of president has been really enjoyable.This has been made even more so with the work Claire does in the office.A very big thank you to Claire for keeping the wheels of the office turning so smoothly with ruthless efficiency (just try putting in an expense claim without the correct form)! Thank you also to the Technical Directors of each of the disciplines for the work they do in ensuring their disciplines are running smoothly, and for continually providing suggested ways to improve courses and exams. 3

President’s Report (continued from page 3)

One of my highlights was being able to observe the selection of the Alpine Education and Demonstration team. It was really interesting to see some of our examiners get nervous about performing. Congratulations to all who tried out, you are among the best instructors in the country.The 11 selected will now work with Andrew to shape the face of exactly what and how we teach our Alpine clients. It was pleasing to see the “Old Boys” perform – Tim Robertson and Con Poulos showed that age and cunning does overcome youth and exuberance. Con has been appointed “Captain Con” of the team with “Vice Regal Macca” his deputy. Congratulations to Shelly Giles, who put on a polished display and gave notice to the guys that she’ll take no prisoners. Expect to see regular contributions from the team in

Telemark this winter has grown some more with an additional 5 passes in the level 1 exams. Congratulations goes to Richard Hocking, Mark Abernathy, Janine Sinclair,Tracey Dickson and David Arens. This year there was the addition of a 3rd level in Telemark.This allows the same standards that are expected in all of the other disciplines (Nordic, Snowboard and Alpine).Telemark has always been a minor part of any ski school within Australia. But as more people are exposed to the new equipment and the possibilities of Telemark the need for specific qualified instruction within ski schools is required. Over the last few years most of the resorts in Australia have Telemark equipment to rent which has also increased the chances of people needing lessons. Resorts like Perisher Blue have increased the profile by having a Telemark skier 4

Spring 2004

Snowpro. From this squad the Interski Ski team will be selected. At this stage we do not have a number on how many will be selected. Good luck to all.There will be full profiles of the Alpine team in a later edition.Thank you also to the crusty bunch of selectors: Don McInnis, Brad Spalding, Nigel and Andrew Rae.They ensured that there was a definite standard to be met. (p.s.Who was the fashion victim stuck in a time warp, demonstrating the down stem?) Jason Clauson is currently working on the selection process for Snowboard and will have a squad formalised next winter. Still waiting to hear how Telemark and Nordic are progressing. The new uniforms arrived for our Trainers and Examiners, just in time

for the exams. By all accounts they are a quality product and appreciated by all.A big thank you to Karbon for their support of our association – you can help by letting others know how good Karbon is.Thanks also to Jemma Wines for putting the deal together.We have a number of Karbon merchandise items for sale (Fleece Jackets, Hats and T necks) so stock up on them and look great on your trip overseas. Finally, congratulations to all those who achieved their goals for the season. I hope you all have a wonderful off-season, wherever you are. For me, it’s a long summer of rehab on a rebuilt knee. Merry Christmas and best wishes to all. Tony Smythe

TELEMARK NEWS

will only require more instruction within ski schools.

Graham Hammond

For those of you who have not given it a try this is the time to do it. If you are working overseas in the next few months look out for it. Ask at your ski school and local rental shop. Enjoy the change. It will only help your other skiing or riding skills.

in their media images as well as ski patrollers working on Telemark equipment.This all gives a larger visual presence of Telemark to other skiers and boarders who then might want to have a go. The other main change in Telemark is the strength of Alpine skiers and Snowboarders learning to Telemark. Traditionally Nordic skiers have learnt to Telemark but with todays equipment the link is closer to Alpine with many core concepts used from Alpine instruction. Telemark in the future will become more mainstream in resorts. Never to the same degree as the other disciplines, but the awareness will be greater which

For most of you with levels in alpine, snowboard or nordic we are looking at putting together cross over courses which will help with cost and time restraints. Maybe you ask why do it? Well it will give you more opportunities in the future at your ski school as well as providing a new focus. Check out the APSI website for courses and exams next winter! Ski you later Graham Hammond

MATT LEABEATER – SODERGEN SCHOLARSHIP 2004 Hello! My name is Matt Leabeater. I am a Ski Instructor at Falls Creek. I was awarded the Sodergren Scholarship for the 2004 ski season. I was awarded this scholarship due to a very serious ski accident. In August of last year while free-skiing, I had a fall in which I fractured my C7 vertebrae.After a banana boat ride to the Medical Centre, I was airlifted by helicopter to the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.After an eight-hour operation and a few pieces of metal added to my neck, I was put back together. Such a serious accident, I had much ahead of me before I could ski again! With three months of doing very little and still six months before the season, I began to doubt whether I should continue instructing or even skiing.After many months of physiotherapy and training, I felt as though my body was in good shape for another shot at teaching. One thing that helped provide the incentive in my decision to return was the scholarship.This was due not only to the financial benefit, but also to the honour that came with receiving this award. In the end, six months later, I returned to the scene and began skiing and teaching again – probably the best place to be to get my head back into skiing.With my confidence and ability shot it took a few weeks back at ski school to commit to the season, and it was regained due to such an awesome group of instructors and supervisors who were all supportive and understanding. Now back on my skis, it was time to look forward to my Level 1, with trainers such as Adam Geary, Shelley Giles, Brett “Rover” Plumridge, Billy Jones and Mark “Macca” McDonald, not to mention all the other people that skied and trained with me. I knew I would

have some of the best on my side to work with towards successfully completing my Level 1. The season was a long, busy and tiring one at Falls without any hiccups along the way, luckily! September rolled around and so did the exams. Luckily for me they were at Falls Creek, for the terrain was very familiar to me.

Day 1: Began with the organisation of everybody, then we moved into demos for the morning.A couple of warm ups, a demonstration for us, and we were on! Two runs, a couple of Basic Christies, some snow-plough turns, sideslip traverse and the first of it was over. In the afternoon we moved on to teaches and I knocked over my kids teach fairly early. I was through the first day unscathed, ready to put up my feet.

Day 2: Began in pretty ordinary weather, which is not uncommon at Falls. So a decision was made to knock over the video analysis.A few questions and a bit of footage, it was over.We stepped outside and I went through my adult teach.That was it, lunchtime Day 2! It was all done except for the free ski component.

Day 3: Free ski. Of all the components, this was the one I was least concerned about.Well, at least until I was standing as the top of ‘Ruined Castle’ – with all the Examiners waiting for us below. Everything just went out the window! I just went and skied it, hoping it would all come together. It felt like the worst I had ever skied! I must say that the move to a three-day exam for Level 1 definitely reduced the pressure that most of us feel during the exam situation.

The end of the exam… now the wait began.While our Examiners were vigorously marking and compiling our results, I sat in my room, feeling that I had passed everything except for my free ski, questioning myself whether to go to the presentation or not. My curiosity got the better of me, and I dragged myself up to where the presentations were. Patiently waiting, consuming several beverages, thinking they were delaying the inevitable disappointments.Time ticked by, more beverages and the Examiners showed up.Andrew Rae gave a short speech, then proceeded to read out the names. As they went, the pile of certificates got smaller and my stomach sank until “Matt Leabeater” was called out. Just like that, it hit me, happiness! I had done it! I was now a qualified professional ski instructor. The night ahead was sure to be filled with many more beverages. After the exams, the season began to wind down. I went on to pass my CSCF/SACC Level 1 race coach at Mt Buller and the season was over. This summer, I am off to a northern winter in the U.S. at Northstar at Tahoe where I will be a development coach for the Race Department. I feel very privileged to have been awarded this scholarship and it proved to be a big factor in my return to teaching and skiing. Congratulations to all who succeeded in their levels this year. To those that didn’t, think positive, keep training and you will succeed. To the Board of APSI, thank you in awarding me the Mike and Mim Sodergren Scholarship and encouraging me to keep skiing. I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable summer/winter, wherever you may be. I will see you on the hill in 2005. Matt Leabeater

Spring 2004

This year, I made the move down to Mount Baw Baw after six years at Falls Creek. Prior to arriving, I had never been to Baw Baw, and was expecting one Pub and several rope tows accessing terrain you could just as easily walk up.To my surprise, it was much bigger than I thought. It has excellent teaching terrain, an extensive snow making system, a terrain park and a small village. For teaching first-time snowboarders and skiers it couldn’t be easier.The Magic Carpet is a great asset, and paired with several Platters and T-bars; there is excellent accessible terrain for each step of the first-timers progression.The intermediates and advanced also have fun terrain to play on.With several runs of narrow blacks, fast trees and a fun little park with plenty of rails, it’s a great place to jib around and keep your addiction in check while you await the northern winter.

Spring 2004

S M A L L M O U N TA I N REPORT

James Ko r n w e i b e l The main market for Mount Baw Baw, and other small markets alike, is families and students.The attraction to the small resorts is the affordable lift and lesson prices and the nonintimidating environment that the smaller mountains provide. Our main market in the snow sports school is first time lessons (up to 70 per cent), which come through two avenues. Many of the guests come with experienced friends or family who want to introduce them to the sport they are passionate about.The other

is the much-ragged “Snow Thrower”. The Snow Thrower initially comes to the resorts to build Snowmen and have some fun.We provide groomed tobogganing runs and a really cool tube park with snowmaking near the main runs. Unknowingly, they are exposed to skiing and snowboarding and often (after a day or two) they are signed up in the First Timers class. With such a high proportion of new skiers at the smaller resorts, it is crucial that training and the level of instruction is of a premium quality to give the guest the best possible snow experience.Together with terrain that sets the guest up for success and a steady flow of firsttimers, we hope to provide educated skiers and snowboarders that will move on to other resorts and become life-long participants in our industry. Have a good summer, James Kornweibel

PERISHER BLUE REPORT

David Winn Although some of us were lucky enough to ski in it on our days off, some did it while we worked – which is better then not skiing it at all! The season was, as always, a very busy one work-wise – but still with time to get some wanted training in. This year, Perisher Blue hosted a Level 3 teach and demos course with three groups and four for the Level Two, along with lots of in-house Level 1 courses as well. Wow – what a great season of snow we had this year! I hope everybody had the chance to play in some powder, as there was a lot to play in and more then just one opportunity throughout the season.

Thanks is to be given to Perisher Blue, as hosting these events takes a lot of resources, time and effort, not to mention the loss of a lot of instructors to courses as both candidates and trainers.

The results at the exam showed that those who had participated in all they could were able to get close to or actually achieve the goals they had set for themselves. Unfortunately, not everyone can do as well as they would like.With Perisher Blue’s interest in continuing to improve training and creating more qualified and skilled instructors, this will give people the chance to continue on their journey of improvement and achieve the goals they set. Quite a few people took advantage of the free postage and handling offered with the new APSI merchandise available this year. Hopefully next year we can do the same, and more people will get out there in this new and cool gear. For all those heading overseas for the coming northern winter, let’s hope that the snow falls heavy and frequently, allowing us the chance to get more of those powder days that we all long for. Take care, and see you on the slopes. Yours in skiing, David Winn

Spring 2004

As usual, a really big season.After last year’s slow start, this season got bigger after the second weekend. Consistent snowfalls followed, which attracted record numbers of clients. For all the first year instructors, it really is an eye opener as to how big an operation the Snow Sport School is.We employed some 50 instructors from the hiring clinic to bring the total number working for the year to approximately 350. No wonder Richard and Rachael, in the uniform store, were going off their nuts! Speaking of uniforms, the rumor is there will a new one next year. The hiring clinic started out as a bit of a challenge (with only a couple of 20 square meter patches of snow to work on), but improved markedly the next weekend with mega snowfalls. July and August saw some quality snow falls, with good skiing/riding to be had.The Victorian Interschools keeps getting bigger, and were another huge success with a record 6500 entries. It was sad to see Ash Roberts not return this year as supervisor, but we all know that sooner or later its time to move on. Good to catch up with Ash, when he visited, who is content with the move. Congrats to “Grisly” Adam Williams, on his promotion to

BULLER BITS

Schools Supervisor.We wish him all the best on what is a tough job.We welcomed Matt White, who joined us from Hotham, and thank him for his contribution to training. A big warm welcome to “Victoria Jane”, daughter to Barbara and Christopher.A beautiful red-head, just like her mum, who made a no fuss entrance on October 1. Rumor is, it was a twenty-minute delivery. Best wishes to James Ross and Sarah McEwing on their upcoming wedding. Congratulations to all those who passed exams this year, with extra mention to Sarah Sampson and Sonia D. on getting their 3.To all winners of the prestigious “Bullie” awards, well done. It’s official that Smythe will not be going for three in a row. And now to those who help keep the wheels turning.A big thank you to the following: Heather Little, for the work contributed to the administration of APSI stuff, there is a lot that goes on that is not

appreciated; Ritchie Ross and NOOPS, for the invaluable work in the demo video and the 11th hour effort on numbering and distributing “the uniforms”. Dicko has also stepped up as an observer to the tech. committee and will be helping write some of the children’s section of the new manual;To big Kev and all the trainers on the very challenging job of scheduling training, but managing to provide a quality product;To Egon, for his continued support of training and always making visiting APSI members and executives feel welcome.And, finally, to Laurie at Buller Ski Lifts, for their continued support of all APSI events. (My apologies to those I missed.) I know we all have issues from time to time with regards to this and that, but I am always reminded by why we are instructors, the love of the mountains, the mateship, the joy of passing on our knowledge and seeing our guests progress and the sheer fun had. It’s for these reasons I hope to see you all return safely next year. Until then, happy traveling. P.S.We need a Buller rep on the board next year. If you are interested contact Smythe at maloha@bigpond.com

EMPLOYMENTEMPLOYMENTEMPLOYMENTEMPLOYMENTEMPLOYMENTEMPLOYMENT

CHILDREN’S SNOWSPORTS SCHOOL DIRECTOR Mount Hotham is seeking a motivated and talented person to manage the Children’s Centre for the 2005 season and beyond. This person must be passionate about providing the very best experience for every child who attends our programs and have the desire to constantly improve our products. They should have extensive experience in the ski industry and a great depth of knowledge of early childhood development and APSI progressions. With a staff of over 60 instructors this person must possess sound people management and motivational skills. Good package available. Please apply to Nigel Mills on snowsports@hotham.com.au

Spring 2004

SKIER ANALYSIS The aim of this article is to help us all understand the process of becoming good at skier analysis. Firstly, we have to realise that like many things in our lives we will all have different opinions. We will always interpret things differently to the next person. That is why skier analysis is not an absolute, and is also one of the reasons why the required pass mark in an APSI exam is not 100 per cent. Once we take the first step of realizing that there is not an absolute in every case we are on the way to becoming better. The important fact is to welcome discussion and not to turn the situation into one of frustration. It is frustrating for candidates and examiners alike that the only thing holding back a successful candidate is the skier analysis. What I have written next is another way of weighting the decision process in skier analysis. It will hopefully make the practical side of the job more successful and also increase the possibility of passing the exam. This is what I do when looking at a skier. Firstly, I use everything that is written in the manual. Then I think of an even simpler breakdown. Why not use the skill progression that we do in a beginner lesson as the basis to decide what skill is more important and what skill deserves to be worked on next? In a beginner lesson, the first thing we talk about is developing a good stance. Once that is going well, we

teach good leg rotation. We then talk about edging, and finally (as the skier starts wanting to go from side to side) we learn the art of pressure control. That is the priority when teaching – why not keep this as a flow when analysing and correcting the student? The difficulty is knowing when the stance is OK or the rotary is OK, so let’s see if we can work out a few things that may indicate when it is time to stop on Rotary, for example, before moving to the next skill. Let’s talk about stance. What I look for here is the relationship between the middle of the skier and the centre of the downhill ski. If the centre of mass is 30cms too far forward or back, then this is perhaps a stance problem. When the skier is too far forward, the significant tells are that the skis are sliding a lot at the end of the turn, and perhaps the back is lurching backwards in an effort to maintain some kind of middle position dignity. The skier who is too far back may experience the turn shape straightening and the ski tips bouncing off the snow surface. If the skier is a touch back here and there but the actual performances in the areas mentioned are alright, then it would be safe to move forward to Rotary. Here, we look at what body part is moving to turn the skis and what the timing may be like with this movement. We know the most effective part is the leg turning inside the hip joint, so let’s look for that. Quite often we will see the

eager upper body moving first and the hip longing to get into some of the action. In this case, the skier may skid and experience the odd bounce down the hill. It is clear in this instance that the skier needs to learn some good, crisp leg turning. Other ones, like counter rotation, occur less frequently and are good ones for you to practise and video and work out ways to recognize and fix. If the rotary is good, we must look at the edging. That would be the next skill to introduce and, after all, it will be hard to edge well if the skier is throwing themselves around even though the result is a skidded turn which may have lead us to think of edging. Luckily, we saw the body moving first and addressed this first. Let’s now, however, talk about edging. On a brief side note, years ago if none of us knew the answer we would always say ‘edging’, as Ian Bruce loved edging and there could never be enough edging in any turn! Even stranger, it was generally the right answer even though none of us knew why. So when is edging the right answer? When the ski has too much or too little grip relative to the turn, it is time to focus on edging. For example, a locked ski on a snowplough turn – or if there were some short turns that ski tips were travelling from side to side, but the ski never really got on to its side – then it is time to work on edging. Continued on page 10

Spring 2004

Skier Analyis continued from page 9 The things to look at are the ski and the body parts required for the job. The ankle, knee and hip should be working in a good symmetry with the appropriate amount of inclination and boom. Watch out for a lot of hip but no ankle, and knee lots of inclination but no angulation. The skis are perhaps the most important aspect here, the main tells are either the skier struggling to get around the corner due to too much edge or the skis sliding innocently around without much impact on the snow, resulting in a drifty or poor turn shape. The final tell for a flat ski is that if you cannot see the base of the ski then it is too flat and time to work on tilting that thing over. The skill remaining is pressure control. It is the skill that holds the eye to a skier, that makes the game look effortless and complete. It is what Tim Robertson excelled in demonstrating during the 2004 Demo Team try-outs this last season. So what are we looking for when we do analysis? Since the skill is a long time learned we usually do not focus too much on it until the skier has reached a high level. Unless, for example, we imagine someone

doing a snow plough turn with no up and down, great edging and rotary. Their legs would surely get tired and maybe some up and down to aid the beginning of a turn would be great advice. We would also be working on the pressure control. However, when it comes to the exam it falls more generally into the realms of the Level Threes. The types of skiers needing pressure control are when we see the timing of the skier incorrect and the skier moves too early in and loses the pressure from the downhill ski. The skier is launched constantly out of a mogul run, or the skis are more airborne in a section of short turns than on the snow. If it is for only one or two turns and the skier recovers, then I would look for another skill problem. Look for the timing of movements and the way the ski and the skier travel down the hill. Then ask whether it was smooth, or whether it was simply surviving the run. Since the pressure control skill is the toughest, I generally work on this last and would select it only after having a very good look at the other skills. It does not mean it is not important in an early lesson, I just make sure (as we do in a beginner lesson) that all the other skills are in place before I

really start talking about this particular skill or start to work on it, let alone select it in an exam. We have looked at the concept of analysis using the format of priority that occurs in a beginner lesson. It hopefully makes it easier to decide which skill I shall concentrate on first. The guest should also have the concept of stance, rotary, edging and pressure control (hopefully not on those words, though) thus making the explanation time of teaching uncomplicated. Naturally, we could have talked about symmetry, terrain, type of turns and equipment needs as ways to improve the skier; but that can be done at another time. The final points I would like to leave are: it takes time to see what is happening for everyone; practice in small groups with a video; do mistakes yourselves on film; make up mock exams; think simply and think how you teach every day and the answer is probably exactly what you do every day. I wish everyone luck and hope this may be of some use. Mark McDonald Macca. Demo Team 2004

SODERGREN SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS In 1997, the APSI Board of Management established the Sodergren Scholarships in memory of Mike and Mim Sodergren. Two scholarships are awarded each year, with the successful instructors receiving all APSI courses and examinations free of charge. The successful applicants must meet the following criteria: â&#x20AC;˘ Commitment to personal education, training and accreditation in the Snowsports industry. 10

Spring 2004

â&#x20AC;˘ Professionalism and image. â&#x20AC;˘ Contribution and service provided to the industry. If you are interested in applying for the 2005 Sodergren Scholarship, please forward your application by 28th April 2005 to: Sodergren Scholarships APSI Suite 11, 137 High Street Wodonga VIC 3690

The most commonly asked question I was asked throughout the season was whether or not I was enjoying my new position. With 2004 being such a busy season with so many new experiences, it was hard for me to give an honest answer. With season 2004 behind us now I can finally answer ‘yes’. I cannot say enough for the amount of support I received from the word Go. It started at Trainers Coordination with a great turn-out of around 36 snowboard trainers. All were very keen to help and were open to any ideas. The support wasn’t just from the snowboard crew but also the ski side, with a lot of the senior trainers that have been in the game for years offering support. A big thank you goes out to Andy Rae who helped ease some of my early nerves. Andy had so much on his own plate but was more than willing to help me out – thanks. The season started out with a muchdepleted Snowboard Technical Committee, which was a big concern. It wasn’t long before Tim Stuart and Christian Newman stepped up to the plate to lend support. This was an important move for these two this year, as they also backed it up and became Level Three Trainers and Examiners. With the amount of high-end examiners that the APSI has lost over the past years it has left a huge void at the top. I must thank these two for their support, level of skill and professionalism throughout the season. The Technical Committee has gone through a number of changes in just a short time and for the other members – Amy, Dan and Jeremy – a big thank you goes out. The committee does so many hours outside of normal time, which are mostly unrewarded. It is important that others start to step up and support the team. There are so many trainers out there that have so much to contribute but are either afraid of stepping on toes, unsure who to

SNOWBOARD REPORT

Jason Clauscen communicate with, or are just plain lazy. This mentality has to change. We are all part of the same team and it is important we work together to achieve our goals. As far as the training course, this year there were a number of trainers who started to evolve and take new responsibilities. Ben Moncreiff and Brent Collins were two who stepped up to the status of Level Two Trainers and Examiners. There was also a number of Level Two Rookies for the season that showed great potential – Ben Wisner, Evan Marler, Amy Louisa, Jean Harper and Jake Terhell. It is important all these trainers work hard on maintaining such a high standard on and off the hill. Level One saw three new rookies for the season – Tim Stockdale, Jane Cowan and Grant Elliot, who also achieved his Level Three Certification. It is important that the Rookie process grows and is promoted amongst the industry, as this is where we gain the future Trainers and Examiners for the ASPI. The Exams this year for me were a mixed bag. Overall we felt that the standard across the board was low, with the exception of a few. It appears that the amount of help the PTA and SSS marks offer in the early stages of Certification are starting to appear. This is not the only reason for the standard being low, but it’s not helping. Another area that needs to be addressed lies in the hands of the candidates who are attempting

levels when it is clear they are unprepared. Personally, I would not attempt a course if I felt I might just scrape through on the day. This seems to be occurring at every level I attended this year. Being certified doesn’t mean on that day, it means that you can perform at that level each and every day. This season was busy, and I know that training at some resorts was hard due to a lack of training or trainers. Candidates can’t continue to point fingers at training or trainers. There are so many quality instructors, manuals and early morning training sessions that need to be taken advantage of. We at the ASPI expect that instructors should be strong across the board and not just in their Freeride, Teaching, Demos, Freestyle or Professionalism. Being strong in all areas is one of the strengths that makes us unique around the world. This year we tried hard to maintain the high standard that the APSI has had over the years. We believe it worked, but expect a change for 2005. As Technical Director I will ask for the bar to be raised by all Trainers and Candidates. There are just a few areas that need to be addressed, for example in teaching WHAT, WHY and HOW – clearly explaining to someone what you are going to teach them, and why it is going to help him or her. Too many candidates are just reaching for progressions and trying to regurgitate what they think examiners want to hear, and they’re missing their point. The last of ‘HOW’ is so important. ‘How’ involves the movements. Being able to explain the movement precisely and clearly will not only help clients, but will help candidates understand their own riding. Understanding the movements makes it easier to be trained by others and also by yourself. Continued on page 12 Spring 2004

Continued from page 11 We are hoping in conjunction with the skiers that the Manual will be completed by the beginning of next season, with only a few minor adjustments to be made. Level One will see Garlands added into the progression. Level Two will see Rails and Introduction to Halfpipe. Level Three will see a more advanced Rail and Halfpipe progression. There will also be two new certifications appearing next year – Introduction to Freestyle and Advanced Freestyle. These certifications will replace the Freeride course, which has lacked some numbers. There will be limited numbers for both these certifications and there are a few requirements needed before you can attempt them. We hope these certifications will be attended by candidates and past instructors that might not be up to speed in this area. All courses and exams need to be supported by numbers, but these will require more preparation due to the environment they are in. There will be more on these courses in the next edition of SnowPro.

I believe I learnt more this year than any other year. Becoming a trainer has allowed me to move down a slightly different path, but I started out the same as everybody else. I understand that training and exams are stressful, but it is vital that we don’t lose the major ingredient that gets us there in the first place, and that is FUN. I know at times this year I might have appeared stressed out - and I probably was. I don’t think there were many days that I didn’t have something or someone on my mind, thinking of how to improve, change or just help. It was hard at times to leave things on the hill, but as the season progressed it became easier. We as trainers put so much personal energy in, and at times it is hard when things don’t go according to plan. Trainers sometimes take it hard when candidates don’t reach their goals, but it is important that we all understand it is not personal, it is simply the high standard that we strive for. With the amount of training I was involved in this year I found it

strange when I would arrive back in Thredbo instructing. I feel one of my strengths is instructing, I love it. To this day I think it’s one of the best so-called ‘jobs’ in the world. It’s a hard life when you have to do something you love each day! I must thank Thredbo once again for supporting me throughout the season: Brad, Monica, Killer and Tim. Another big thank you goes out to Claire in the APSI office. Her hard work is appreciated. Apart from this little firecracker I’m writing I would just like to wish everyone a safe summer/winter, wherever it may be. I would really like to invite anyone that is interested in becoming a trainer or interested in the APSI to attend the Rookie Selection or Trainers Co-ordination next year. It’s one of the only times throughout the year all the team is gathered together. Be Safe Jason Clauscen

It all started back in 1996. My best mate from school was instructing for Perisher Blue. I was a car salesman in Sydney. We would work 11 days on and have 3 days off, so on my days off I would drive down to ski and party hard, then wake up early in the morning to drive back to Sydney to resume work that day. When I was back in Sydney, I could not wait to get back to the snow again. That year I found skiing much more rewarding than selling cars. The following season I decided to live the dream of being a Ski Instructor and living in the snow. I have stayed in the industry because I love skiing every day and being outside in the mountains. Whether it be the challenge of skiing big mountains, fresh powder, steeps, bumps, trees, park, rails, pipe, racing or teaching, there is so much to learn. That is why I think I have stayed in the industry, because you are all ways learning and are constantly being challenged by either teaching people or learning new tricks yourself. The people we work with also bring me back, especially in this country. We all go to different resorts all over the world, and sharing our experiences with a sport we all love is very cool. I have stayed in the industry because I love traveling overseas, and I have turned something I love to do into a career. Brett Allen

Spring 2004

HOTHAM HAPPENINGS

What a great season! As another year comes to an end and most of us are heading off to a northern winter, I would like to take this opportunity to say goodbye to an ‘old’ veteran couple of the back-to-back winters. Jeremy Handley (snowboarder and APSI Trainer/Examiner) and wife Alisha Handley (Kids Snowsports School Director and APSI Kids Trainer) are both saying goodbye to Mount Hotham for the last time.Yes, they are packing their bags for sunny Adelaide and their first summer in about 10 years. I know I speak for more than just the Snowsports School and staff they worked with daily in saying they will be sorely missed. My only advice to them is to make the most of summer and Slip Slop Slap! I would like to say congratulations to all taking part in exams, and especially well done to our course tops: • Matt Devlin (Snowboard level I) • Paul Newcomen (Snowboard Level II)

with the comments that it was a little piece of pride they could take overseas with them. I know I will keep my piece forever as a reminder that no matter how old I get, I was a part of something pretty cool. (Hope my grandkids think being a Ski Instructor was cool).

Jemma Wines

• Avi Shonberg (Alpine Level I) • Raph Behkor (Alpine Level III) We all love to see those fancy plaques in the Snowsports office! Finally, I hope that everyone enjoyed the new APSI look this year. About halfway through the season our new uniforms arrived! I hope candidates and trainers alike benefited from their use. It was great to see a little more professionalism within the ranks. As for the merchandise, it was fantastic to see people relaxing around the bar wearing these items,

If you missed out this season because of sizes, or availability, please remember that this was our first season of doing this and we are still learning how it all goes. Hopefully over the next few seasons we can iron out all of the kinks and we will have a better idea of what sort of garments, in what sizes and at what prices, are the most popular. For those of you going to the Northern Hemisphere, have a great winter. For those staying here, enjoy the sun. For those who are not returning, a chapter has closed but the book is not nearly over – add a little adventure, some romance and a touch of mystery, and please keep us up to date with your story! Jemma Wines

SERVICEAWARDSLIFEMEMBERSHIPSSERVICEAWARDSLIFEMEMBERSHIPS

At the AGM in Thredbo this year the following people were presented Service Awards and Life Memberships for their contribution to the APSI over the years.

SERVICE AWARDS: David Anderson LIFE MEMBERSHIPS: Andrew Rae Josie Preiss Bruce Wharrie Service Award winner, David Anderson (right)

Spring 2004

The 2004 season came and went like a flash.We were all so busy the months flew by, with great snow for most of the season. On the adaptive/disabled side, most Snowsport Schools saw an increase in business, mainly at Thredbo, Smiggins and Selwyn. Dean Sheppard also confirmed an increase at Mt Hotham as well. In-house clinics were conducted at Selwyn,Thredbo and Mt Hotham. The exams were conducted in Mt Hotham (19th September) and Thredbo (20th September), again with a 100 per cent success rate.

DISABLED ADAPTIVE REPORT

Graeme Morris Congratulations to all the candidates. Dean and I are working on a Level Two exam, hopefully to be implemented for the 2006 season.

Candidates would be required to ride a mono ski, three track and ride and ski guide on intermediate terrain, as well as small bumps. For next season, any Level Two and above instructor with an interest in becoming an in-house trainer is invited to attend the next preseason Trainers Co-ordination. Dates to be advised in the Autumn 2005 edition of SnowPro. Have a good summer or northern winter. Regards, Graeme Morris

EMPLOYMENTEMPLOYMENTEMPLOYMENTEMPLOYMENTEMPLOYMENTEMPLOYMENT

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Mount Hotham is also seeking a motivated and talented person to manage the training program for the 2005 season and beyond. This person must be passionate and committed to providing the very best program to ensure that Mount Hotham continues to excel in producing great instructors and performing well during APSI exams. They must possess sound people management and motivational skills and be well organised as they will also be required to help supervise a staff of over 70 instructors. This person must have an extensive knowledge of APSI processes and exam procedures. Must be APSI Level 3 or equivalent. Good package available. Please apply to Nigel Mills on snowsports@hotham.com.au The Mount Hotham Snowsports School will sadly miss Alischa Handley and Richard Asbreuk. They have been an integral part of our team and we wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

Spring 2004

WHY I BECAME A SKI INSTRUCTOR It’s all about the sliding sensation! Let’s face it, skiing is a feeling unto itself: ‘That felt like a good run’, ‘Gee, that didn’t quite feel right’, and so on. For as long as I can remember my family and I made regular trips to Mt Buller. It fast became a home away from home and a natural inclusion to my lifestyle. In my early teens, I suffered some bad falls resulting in four major knee injuries and recurrent operations. That fantastic feeling became associated with pain and anguish. I learned to hate skiing and it faded from my life over the next few years. It was not until my early twenties, with much encouragement from my family, that I ventured for a ski holiday during a university break. I had a great time and discovered sliding again! There was no denying the sensation – I loved it! By the end of the holiday, I had made enquiries at the Mt Buller ski school about getting a job as an instructor. What better way to learn than to get some inside information – watch it, feel it, think it, talk it! This opened up a world of opportunity. The traveling is great; one can learn about different skiing techniques and styles; learn a new language; live in a different culture and meet new people. But when it comes down to it, it’s all about the sensation. It exercises the body, clears the mind and invigorates the soul. But it has to come from the heart, not the head.

WHY I BECAME A TRAINER Man, have I had some trainers over the years – from Mt Buller and other Australian resorts, both here and overseas. Some of these include; Andy Stringer, James Ross, Greg Newman, Tom Texler, Leighton Howes, Sean Cameron, Francis Jackson, Mark McDonald, Stefan Skrobar and Stoffl Maier. All these guys were inspiring, they could communicate their knowledge about sliding and express their passion for it. Far from the childhood family outings, this sliding sensation has developed into the embodiment of sport, art and passion for me. I am constantly being challenged and introduced to new heights. My desire is to share the sensation and knowledge, instill a passion and develop the standard of Australian Ski Instructing.

Craig

Spring 2004

APSI Nordic Website Regularly check the Nordic section of the APSI website at www.apsi.net.au/nordic

APSI Course Information Information pages on each APSI Nordic Course for participants, as well as pages for course trainers, are now all in Word documents and are located on our website at www.apsi.net.au/courses_ nordictrainers.htm

Updating Nordic Accreditation Keeping up-to-date with the current co-ordinate approach to snowsport instructing is as simple as attending a refresher course known as a Recall.Attendance re-accredits your status for a further three years, as well as the picking up of valuable instructor techniques, skills and knowledge from both the trainer and fellow participants.We all have valuable resources and experiences worth sharing, resulting in improving our personal instructor development. A fantastic and enthusiastic Recall was held this season at Lake Mountain. Not only was the Recall a great get-together of many friends in

Spring 2004

NORDIC REPORT

Bruce Wharrie the instructor industry, but it provided the best forum of sharing the ‘latest’ and ‘good old trusted’ techniques and skills in Nordic ski instruction. So come along, prepare to be challenged, dare to share and explore different ways of reaching your goals and aims in Nordic ski instruction. Oh yes, and have a great fun time!

Cross Country Ski Forum Head to the Forums then Backcountry sub-section of www.ski.com.au for the latest, or use the search facility for research. A wide range of interesting threads is always entertaining reading.The forum does tend to lean towards heavy backcountry touring and resort telemarking, but the forum is only as good as its participants. The website itself is a great source of weather information, snow conditions and snowcams including the toboggan slope at Lake Mountain!

Keep the trails clear Don’t forget about other users of ski trails. Leaving your group’s ski equipment strewn across a ski trail can not only cause danger, injury and equipment damage to other trail users, but the overall co-ordination of your group does not look highly professional. If equipment is removed, particularly with school groups, the most appropriate manner of ski equipment management is to be placed parallel to the trail just off to the non-track side of the groomed ski trail.

Our role Nordic ski instructing is about ensuring our clients have a safe, enjoyable and fun time on their skis. It is our role to provide them all with the skills, experiences and confidence in undertaking future adventures in the alpine environment. Part of the role of the Nordic instructor also includes the ongoing passive and active marketing of both the sport and our teaching product.Without enthusiastic ‘on-the-snow’ marketing, our teaching product will become unsustainable, uncoordinated and in some cases, unsafe.

When our paying clientele have a fun, enjoyable lesson in which their immediate goals and objectives are realistically met, then our marketing is ongoing through their enthusiastic word-of-mouth appraisal to others. Great lessons = great client marketers = product sustainability.

2004 APSI Nordic Season It was very pleasing to have an increased interest in the APSI Nordic instructor course product.As well as the continued support for our product by the Outdoor Education Group (VIC), Lake Mountain Ski School also co-operatively utilised our program. Unfortunately, severe time constraints did not permit our product to be undertaken by other interested groups. Hopefully those parties will be accommodated with our products during the 2005 ski season. Participation rates in the Nordic instructor product have again risen over the previous year, however the participation rates are still well below the highly active years of the old NCIS (National Coach & Instructor Scheme) of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Our full potential for sustainable market penetration has yet to be achieved. I seek your support and assistance in both spreading the word, and your involvement through product improvement. Bruce Wharrie

Spring 2004

Alpine NTC report for 2004 – Your demonstration team Season 2004: It was big – there was lots of snow. Everyone worked and people tried their best to fit in as much training as possible.The good news was the overall exam performance, on the whole, was better this year. So thanks to all who got involved, it is always good to see people trying to better themselves in the name of their careers, whether it is for a short (fun) time or the long road that many of us travel. I would also like to spend a moment to thank all the people who once again made me feel so welcome during my resort visits, on this my second year, especially the small resorts such as Selwyn where it is always a pleasure to train the very dedicated employees who work there. The biggest news I have this year was the selection of a new national education and demonstration team, consisting of Con Poulos (captain), Mark MacDonald (vice regal),Tim Robertson,Adam Hosie, Shelly Giles, Matt Mohr,Trent Jones, Stephan Brown,Ant Hill, Richard Jamison and Paul Speedy. My vision for this team is to use the members as a vehicle to promote and educate Australia about the great attributes instructors hold after attending an APSI training course. I also hope to use them to spearhead a revamping of our current skiing/teaching style, so that with the right financial help we can attend Interski and represent our country by proudly showing an advancing system, and not one that is beginning to stagnate due to its own over-inflated feeling of self-worth.

Spring 2004

ALPINE REPORT

Andrew Rae The team is made up of trainers’ examiners and people who have the potential to become the best trainers and examiners of this era.Although there were many other great skiers on the day that did not make this team, there had to be a cut off point and like all of you at your exams they had to perform on the day. For those people, I hope they keep the big picture in perspective by remembering that this will not be the last Interski team, and that they all bring many awesome skills to our profession. What does all this mean to you, the members? This team is for you, and everything they do is to help better the training system for you! Whenever there is a change to be made to your courses and exams, they will be the first to try it - any educational changes, they will be the first to learn it. In most cases, they will be the inventers coming up with the changes that you will begin to feel as early as next season. So this means that if you have any questions about where we are going as an education system, or just want

someone to work on your skiing, then you now have a pool of people that have a wealth of knowledge to draw from. This team will give new members something to strive for, whilst giving old members something to compare to in order to make sure that the standard is not being lost.They also give everyone in the industry more points of contact than just a technical committee to bring your suggestions for changes to the APSI training system. The team is for you – however, you all need to help them by supporting them in any way possible so that they can prepare and get to Interski, Korea 2007. Next season will see some changes to your course and exam structure as a direct result of the demo team selection, one of which will be the inclusion of a ‘change of rhythm’ on rough terrain in level 3 in replacement to the free run. The numbers attending the free ride course have, sadly, still not increased this year, so next season that course will be put on hold and the content will be spread through levels 2 and 3 to be examined in the theory and teaching sections. Other changes, including those to the Manual, will be passed on to you during the trainers’ coordination at the beginning of the Australian ski season 2005. Until then, be safe – whether it be here or overseas – and I will see you when I next get to have a ski with you. Andrew Rae, Alpine NTC.

G’day, I hope you all had a great season, wherever you were.Another excellent season of snow was had at Falls Creek, and along with that came the weather, it being one of the foggier seasons in recent memory.

FA L L S C R E E K REPORT

championship tour swing by for the Half Pipe and Big Air components, with some awesome riding on show.

Pe t e Sheridan

The new “Drovers’ Dream” quad chair was a great addition to the already fantastic teaching terrain we enjoy at Falls. It added some great higher beginner level terrain to the resort and certainly made a positive impact on the quality of the holiday experience for this level of guest, not to mention providing for an easier terrain progression for instructors.

successful relationship we have built with our Ski Patrol members in qualifying for the ISIA badge, with the Ski Patrol running the required avalanche awareness and first aid course components. Our in-house language school also contributed to the process, with classes in Japanese, German and Spanish being run.

On a positive note, it was encouraging to see representatives of the new owners of the lift company (the M.F.S. Group) making the time to talk to the instructors to introduce themselves and find out where we fit in to their new business. It should be noted that in a recent prestigious Australian/New Zealand award, the M.F.S. Group was placed in the top ten employers, and I know that all at the Snowsports School look forward to a positive future with our new owners.

At Snowsports School we had the busiest season since 1995, and it certainly showed during the season with the hours people were working, and at the end of the season with the “unwinding” effect when the guests had departed. It was another great year for people working towards their APSI qualifications, particularly obvious in our strong Level Two group. Our instructors also continued the

In an Australian first, the World Industries Moto-X riders popped into town and ripped it up over the snow and over a massive jump in their tweaked out (and really loud!) motorbikes.Another event this year at Falls included the return of the spectacular “Style Wars” freeride event, with riders launching off the hits in our renowned terrain park, including the showpiece 80ft, 4m high ‘tombstone’ hit.We also had the Fructis National snowboard

Well, I am chipping away at valuable surf time here, so I’d better say enjoy the next chapter in your lives wherever that may be, and hope to see y’all back at Falls for a few turns next season. Happy New Year and safe travels! Cheers, Pete Sheridan

ADVERTISMENTADVERTISMENTADVERTISMENTADVERTISMENTADVERTISMENTADVERTISMENT

TUTOR REQUIRED Expressions of interest are sought from suitable qualified persons for the demanding job of home schooling two very active Year 7 boys (twins) for the 2005 winter term. The position will suit someone who is establishing themselves in Snow Sport Instruction, as it will allow him or her to work part-time as well as train. Assistance will be given to obtaining work with Mt Buller Snow Sport School. Accommodation will also be provided. This position will only be open to APSI members and remuneration is negotiable. Please email “Tutor” to maloha@bigpond.com by January 25th, 2005.

Spring 2004

RESULTS RESULTS 2004

ALPINE LEVEL 1 + CHILDRENS CERTIFCATE PASS

Tim Ainge Matthew Armstrong-Carrigg Anna Bailey Christopher Bellis Rhys Benbow Emma Chorley Sean Coleman Chris Cooper Tim Creak Erin Dobell Julie Eastwood Gemma Ferris Glen Fisher Louise Foar Melanie Forrester William Fry Nicholas Galloway-Smith Amy Hay Jarad Kohlar Matthew Leabeater Kerrie Livingston Scott MacDougall Lyndon Mair Joshua McKim Oscar McLennan Ralf Meijer Amy O’Callaghan Wesley Perrott Adam Podger Brianna Power Greg Race Helen Reidy Junko Sakamoto Andrew Salvo Lari Savolainen Peter Saunders Avi Shonberg Charlie Showers Samantha Sidwell Damian Stewart Brenden Terry Karl Veiss Darko Vasilevski 20

Larissa Wild Tony Wilson ALPINE CC ONLY

PASS Jemma Barnes Susan Burn Kim Carrington Rachel Cavangah Sue Chong Jaime Clifford Sigrid Condon Susan Dunford Rickie Eggleton Mick Eyers Michael Finnigan Rachel Fuller Leah Howarth Keenan Jensen Shaun Johnson Sam Kearns Natalie Lozan Alissa Martelli Dion O’Neill Fiona Overall Timothy Rowley-Evans Jackson Rundle Jarrad Shepherd Nigel Smith Tahlia Stafford Georgina Taylor Jason Toh Simon Young

RESITS Jemma Barnes Michael Blackburn Susan Burn Kim Carrington Rachel Cavangah Sue Chong Sigrid Condon Chris Coughlan Susan Dunford Caroline Elliot Rachel Fuller Steve Guy Sebastian Hales Scott Hovenga

Spring 2004

Leah Howarth Megan Inches Sonia Ingles Keenan Jensen Shaun Johnson Sam Kearns Clare Kingston Natalie Lozan Dennis Mills Jake Molkentin Timothy Evans-Rowley Jackson Rundle Bryan Sinnott Nigel Smith Tahlia Stafford Siobhan Steven Georgina Taylor Jason Toh Loi Tran Jeff Walsh Kenton Williams Simon Young

ALPINE LEVEL 2 + ADVANCED CHILDREN’S CERTIFICTE PASS Stephanie Barker Robert Barron Andrea Bishop Matthew Bowden Katherine Brown Simon Clive Thomas Evans Tom Farrah Edwina Fordyce James Fuller Nozomi Haba Ewan Harrison Anthony Hill Werner Henkel Nicola Jones Hiroyuki Kato Trent Kaufman Jessica Lawrence

Jennifer Lloyd Paul Lorenz Oscar McLennan Natalie McMenamin Andrew McNab Russell Phillips Tim Roberts Daniel Shorter Karin Sorlie Troy Ternes Michael Thoms Joshua Toole Zac Twidale Margareta Von Essen Gina Woodward

ADVANCED CHILDREN’S CERTIFICATE PASS Reid Ballingall Emma Chorley Michael Crawford Mark Fuller Evan Gilhome Lucia Glasse-Davis Stefan Gosch Tom Langtry Colin Lester Andrew McKendry Emma Nelson Katherine Pallot Roger Seaborn Brenden Terry Akane Watanabe Selina Van Gool

RESIT Emma Chorley Michael Crawford Alan Davis Lucia Glasse-Davis Stefan Gosch Tom Langtry Colin Lester Andrew McKendry Alison Mayfield

Results for 2004 (continued)

Emma Nelson Katherine Pallot Charlie Showers Tristaryna Smith Brenden Terry Akane Watanabe

ALPINE LEVEL 3 PASS Raphael Bekhor Erika Boyle Sean Dean Sonia Dioguardi Jonathan Draffin Cassandra Grey Billy Jones Ben Levett Kate MacDuff Katerina Nagyvoa Andrew Naughtin Crystel Newbound Nick O’Keefe Ryan Potuszynski Paul Speedy

RESIT Rod Ballie Alison Bombardier Vanessa Galeano Gregory Jakubik Crystyan Kowalczuk Amanda Olsen Christopher Paynter Mohan Rasiah Julia Stahlhut

SNOWBOARD LEVEL 1 + CHILDREN’S CERTIFICATE PASS Mandy Absalom Mark Amadio Warwick Bennett Kenneth Bluett Joshua Britten

Leigh Bromley Evan Brophey Jeremy Burns Alasdair Coates Damien Coombs Jim Cunningham Joanna Delmodes Matt Devlin Richard Foster Joel Freeman Alec Haddock Bradley Hinten Rhys Hobbins Kevin Jones Michael Jones Nathan Lee Jazmin Leighton Peter Lister James Lloyd Paul Mason Richard Mills Nicole Mudgway Sean Parsons Lisa Port Brigitte Purcell Lisa Quadraccia Serena Rando Nicholas Roper Aaron Savage Michelle Schaefer James Shoard Laurence Smith Stephen Sparkes Kate Stanwix Alexander Summer Jason Taffel Mark Travers Jason Triffitt Quentin Verhest Marko Vlakic Broni Whittaker Lenna Wingate Kascha Wood

CHILDREN’S CERTIFICATE

SNOWBOARD LEVEL 3

PASS

Alex Baragry Shaun Collelouri Wayne Dunning Justine Fitch Cybele Heddle Dean Melloh Natasha Osborne Mandy Scott Brooke Stanway Richard Trompp Andrew Walker

Ryan Coates Hayden Lawn David Quirk

SNOWBOARD LEVEL 2 PASS

TELEMARK LEVEL 1 PASS Richard Hocking Janine Sinclair David Arens Mark Abernethy

NORDIC

Kelly Anderson Robert Buffier Chad Collier Mark Farrell Zachary Greenfield Scott Hamilton Adam Jones Matt Lazell Matt McGrath Matt McHale Adam Minchington Paul Newcomen Jamie Richards Ellyse Sternbeck Taressa Straatmans Michael Steven Mark Wojtas

PASS

RESIT

DISABLED EXAM

Matt Begley Michelle Campbell Jai Chesney Tim Freeman Cameron McKenzie Sven O’Brien Matt Pozzobon Dean Sampson Daniel Wise

Casie Chalman Daniel Conlon Michael Corbett Zoe Crawford Clare Dallat Sandra DiCiero Clare Dixon Ian Franzke Henry Goodall John Griffin Natalie Howard Donna Picton Gillian Perry Sandra Soccol Carolyn Trott

PASS Rebecca Anne Casey Melanie Chivers Julie Eastwood Sandra Hubbard Kevin Jones Les Lazarakis Greg Mault Phill O’Neill Rick Ranscombe

Spring 2004

Australian Professional Snowsport Instructors Inc. Suite 11, 137 High Street Wodonga Victoria 3690 Telephone: 02 6056 0611 Facsimile: 02 6056 0622 Email: apsi@apsi.net.au Website: www.apsi.net.au

APSI MERCHANDISE ORDER FORM All products are available online at www.apsi.net.au Otherwise orders can be faxed to the office on 02 6056 0622 or sent to: APSI Suite 11 137 High Street Wodonga Vic 3690

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Alpine Teaching Manual (2000)

$80

$12

$92

Snowboard Teaching Manual (2004)

$33

$41

Advanced Children’s Manual

$16

$21

Nordic Manual

$22

$30

Fleece Jacket* XS, S,M, L

$75

$15

$90

T–Neck* (Black or White) XS, S,M, L, XL

$45

$10

$55

Hat* (Black or Silver)

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Spring 2004

Hi, My name is Amy Louisa. I have been teaching snowboarding for fifteen consecutive seasons and making beanies for 12 months. What follows is the insight that I have gained over that time. You can read it through, but it makes more sense if you read the italics first, then go back and read the second portion. I hope that you find the analogy of my lesson entertaining. P.S. that’s me in the middle.

HOW TO MAKE A NOVELTY BEANIE

Step 1 – Conceptualise: First you have to choose to make a beanie that is nongeneric. Ponder for a while what you think it should look like. Search for inspiration. How will you make it so that one ear stands up while the other curls over? How can you make it have character? What sort of eyes do you think it should have to make it look sad? Will the tail be above the goggle strap or below it? I was working in the states few years ago, riding with a five year old named Hunter. He was really cute and his parents were the exact opposite of soccer parents. They were extremely patient and happy for Hunter to just have fun. I liked them all and I was keen to get some results from Hunters riding. I was getting bored with endless runs of heel side falling leaf (hard to believe, I know). So I decided to try something special. Step 2 – Gather materials: What do you have in the craft box? Do you need different colours? Different textures? Go to the shop and have a look. Can you mix textures and colours together to make an interesting effect? So Hunter could heel side falling leaf like a pro, five years old, cute, smart, talked about numbers ALL the time. “Amy can we ride on the chair after that one because the number 23 adds up to 5 and that’s how old I am?” Loved starburst but not much chocolate apart from M&Ms. Step 3 – Make a basic shape: Start the same as a generic beanie. Make the usual shape. Keep testing it along the way to make sure that it fits. Will there be ears or will you add those later as part of the design?

What I wanted to achieve was a toe side traverse. Then move on to a heel side turn, then toe side turns. You know the progression. But the usual analogies weren’t working. Step 4 – Accessorise: Using the method of trial and error, begin to add the extra pieces. Make one ear then try to make another the same. Make some eyes, or get ready to attach ones that you have bought. Arms/Paws and legs are cool too. Positioning is very important. Have someone wear the basic beanie and mark with pieces of string where you would like each piece to go. Then attach. Bribery. Some people like to call it behaviour modification, but I prefer to call it bribery. I invented a points system, whereby Hunter could earn points by doing different things. Once he earned 10 points he could have an M&M, and when he got 100 points he could have a starburst and choose any run (that we had ridden before) for a free run. Different things were worth different points. A single turn was worth 5 points. Link turns for a run was worth 10. Falling leaf on a blue run worth 10. Single turn on a blue worth 20. All of his and my goals for the whole season were given point values. We made cards during break time to keep track of all the points. Step 5 – Re-evaluate: Have a look at the beanie. Does it look different that you imagined it would? Is that a bad thing or does it have more character than you meant to give it? Does it really matter if one ear is slightly bigger that the other? Over the last few years we have modified the cards to include different point values for different runs. As well

as other things like riding with rhythm, allowing mum to have more space because she is a cautious rider, to an entire card of freestyle things, as well as a card for negative things like being a powder pig (that’s where you get greedy in the pow) as well as needing to use your one free dig out for the day, or not telling me when his fuel levels dropped too low.

Step 6 – Finish: Tie off any loose ends and stich down the edges of the eyes and limbs so that they don’t come loose while you are riding. Sit the beanie on your bedside table until crazy hat day. Sometime Hunter says, “Can we just ride for a while?” Other times he wants to get out the cards to add more things. Step 7 – Wear: Wear your novelty beanie at work. The worse the weather the better. When random people say things like ....”Love the beanie, where did you get it?” simply smile and say with great pride “I made it.” When we first started to ride together people would say things like “Isn’t he cute?” I would say “Yeah. He’s 5” These days they say “Wow. That kids rips”. When ever he rides well, or makes informed choices about where we should go, or even when he just tries really hard to get to the bottom without crashing when he is exhausted I just feel so proud. I explained it to him that it was like I puff up every time I am proud of him. Some days he would say “Amy. Are you puffing right now?” The second best thing about teaching is the connection with my clients. Trying to find what they are like, who they are and the best way to teach them how to ride. The best thing is taking part in the process and feeling proud of what we achieve together. From the 8 year old who can now short turn down black runs, to the 63 year old who can sideslip on his own, to the guy with one leg who linked turns on his second day, to the 9 year old with behaviour problems who took turns with the other kids and was an angel for most of the week.

Autumn 2004

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SnowPro is the official newsletter of the APSI. The views expressed in SnowPro are not necessarily those of the APSI. Please address all correspondence to: Australian Professional Snowsports Instructors Suite 11 137 High Street Wodonga VIC 3690 Phone: 02 6056 0611 email: apsi@apsi.net.au website: www.apsi.net.au