Shadowing The Level 1 Snowboard Class

Part of the BASI certification is shadowing ski /snowboard instructors during their class. We are required to have 70 hours of shadowing to receive the BASI level 2 certification. This week I shadowed the level 1 class. The beginner snowboarder is normally older than 6 years old. We also had adults taking classes as well. Since this was the start of the European school holidays, the classes were jam packed with beginners. Now the bad news. The red ski school had two out of five level 1 instructors out sick. So we had to actually help teach the beginners. It was total carnage for the first two days. We lost six out of 30 students due to injuries. One accident was so bad that we called in the helicoptor to take them to the hospital. Most injuries were broken wrists from falls and one girl had a runaway snowboard hit her in the back.

Teaching was really rewarding. About 90% of the students were able to link turns really well within the first two days. It was great seeing the improvement from beginning to end. Next week, I should be shadowing level 2 students. These students should be able to do standard turns and should have confidence riding steeps.

Nothing new to add to Pablo watch, but I think something good will happen today since we are going to the park. BIG KICKER DAY!!!!!!