Taking First Instructional Classes

[dirtyjerz]

Hey there,

i've been looking around the industry to see what i could do as a profession i would also enjoy, after working in a board shop for 2 days, i decided that it wasnt for me. i felt i needed to be out in the air living it and teaching other people to take part in the sport i love so dearly.

Enough smooze let's cut to the chase.

This saturday im going up to my local bump (literally a bump www.skicampgaw.com (http://www.skicampgaw.com)) to take my first instructors course.

what should i expect from this?

what will they emphasize on?

will there be a riding (as far as a skill assessment) portion to the course?

im looking forward to starting this.

thanks in advance.

[Spin240]

There will be zero skill assessment most likely. You will just teach really low levels if your really bad and even if your good you'll still teach low levels for awhile.

Personality, Ability to talk to people logically and concisely, and a general love for snowboarding should get you through.

ITC (Instructor Training Courses) are just to get your feet wet. You wont be super challenged with your instructing up until you go for your AASI level 2. And that is if you even make it that far and still want to continue teaching.

[DragonUSMC]

You wont be super challenged with your instructing up until you go for your AASI level 2. And that is if you even make it that far and still want to continue teaching.

true dat... true dat.

[dirtyjerz]

they watched us ride, not sure if there was any asessing but they did say

"ok ride to here and stop" while they stood and watched.

it was pretty easy, just basicaly the message was dont rush it take your time with everything keep the kids interested and wanting to come back.

i have to go back tomorrow to basically learn how to snowboard better throught these clinics.

its so hard to dig your edges in with a wide ducked out stance.

[Peedz]

the best part about those clinics is that you learn to ride better. At my resort at least we have clinics all winter for instructors to improve their riding and teaching skills. The clinics are mainly prep for AASI certs. but all instructors are encouraged to attend them now and then, even if they dont plan on moving to the next level.

[dirtyjerz]

not sure if anyone cares, but ill post anyway.

i taught my first lesson today to an 8 year old kid whos never snowboarded before. by the end of the lesson i had him linking turns and going back to straight pretty consistently. he's coming back tomorrow for more instruction and ill probably have him put both feet on.

oh and i got a 20 dollar tip. which definitely doesnt suck

[Peedz]

I love getting tips. I gave 4 lessons today, but not one tip. What the hell. Oh well, I still got paid to ride.

[dirtyjerz]

I love getting tips. I gave 4 lessons today, but not one tip. What the hell. Oh well, I still got paid to ride.

we dont get paid to ride, we only get paid to teach. it used to be 3 dollars an hour just for being there and signing in and out. they changed it to give us some incentive (sp?) to wanna instruct.