snowboarding instructor

Question
QUESTION: hi lisa i have been looking at doing a snowboard instructors course in Australia, where i live. i was just wondering how to go about it. i have been surf instructing for the last 5 years (children, teens,adults) and was wondering if that qualification would help in anyway in becoming an instructor?
cheers Benn

ANSWER: hello and thanks for the question.

each resort has its own hiring clinic.
you will need to contact the resort/s you wish to apply at and complete their application forms then send them back. this will need to be done early next year [feb is a good time].

you will then be invited to participate in the hiring clinic - at your own expense.
this will consist of up to 5 days on snow at the resorts in June where they will put you through your paces.

they will show you how to teach and ask you to then teach the group your in... they will work to improve your technique and they will be watching how you interact within the group - your people and professional skills.

you will need to show change throughout the week with your technique and that you are trying what it is they are asking you to do - this shows you are teachable and will be able to make the changes needed in your technique to sit the exams at the end of the season if you wish to.

there could also be off snow activities - sometimes this will be group work - where you get up and present something to the group ... again they want to see you can get up in front of a bunch of strangers and be able to string together a sentence.

Most clinics will be 3 days, from there they cull and the final ?#? go onto complete the week learning more about the teaching side of things.

So - best way to get through ...
**help out others in your group if they are having trouble - shows you are friendly but also intelligent !!!
**play with your technique [unless it is flawless] to show that you are open to adaptability and change!!
**ask questions, read the material they give you - listen to how the instructor is helping the others in your group ... when it comes your turn to teach you will already know their weakness and how to fix it.
** try and see what it is the instructor sees in other peoples technique and understand why he's changing it - if your not sure - ask them to explain it.

Your first year could be spent haging with kids ... but if they like you that is your opening to get them back for private lessons and even as return students each year [im still in touch with many of my students from 7 years ago!!]

Go into the season with at least $1000 in your bank account. you will need this to get set up - bond, rent up front, deposits for uniforms, food and of course liquid evenings!!

after the hiring clinic you will usually have about 7-10days before they need you to start work. so that will give you time to go home and get stuff - if not, start paying rent.
in most of the resort applications they will offer staff accommodation - put a bit of thought into this, especially if you dont want to drive to/from the mountain each day - each place has its own pro/cons.

if you want some resort specific info - let me know where your planning to apply and i'll fill you in.

If there is anything else you'd like to know, ask away...

goodluck and enjoy the ride

Lisa

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks heaps for the reply it helped out alot!! i was going to apply at mt hotham! so if you have any info about them it would be much appreciated!
thanks again Benn

Answer
good choice.
i have only skied there and participated in courses - not worked...

but they are linked with Falls Creek.
It might be a good idea to apply to both - better to have too many options than not enough.

although with your surf background you will have a lot going for you - especially in teaching and communication areas.

probably a good idea to look into the staff perks - look into uniform deposits, "administration" costs for processing your season pass, check national park entry permits, staff accommodation bonds, how many will you be sharing with??.

another thing to consider is that you are paid contract hours - ie: only for the hours you teach. some mts offer a minimum daily pay if there is no work. because it is not uncommon that you will spend the day at the mountain and get only 2hrs work - and you cant pay rent & eat if thats the case.

sorry - im in a hurry, if theres anything else your keen to know - ask away

goodluck & enjoy the surfing [the water is nearly warm enough]

lisa