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Yong Pyong Interski 2007
Swiss Snowsports by Daniel Monaghan
The Swiss have a fine heritage with there participation in every Interski since its inception in 1951.
Their willingness to share ideas internationally and also between all snow sports was an inspiration to me since I first encountered their Core Concept Philosophy at 1999 Interski in Beitestolen, Norway.
It is based on three concepts of Pedagogy, Methodology and Technique. These are then utilized in the four disciplines of Snowboard, Telemark, Cross-country and Alpine. Eight years on from their international début they feel that their philosophy has lead to an increased interest in snowsport for the participants and teachers.
The ability for instructors and clients to have an understanding of other snowsports allows them to move more easily between sports to enhance there snow experience.
2003 saw the Swiss showing their 2002 “Teaching Children”. This is a carry over of core concepts for kids in all 4 disciplines. A blend of technique, methodology, theory, practice, learning and playing.
2007 Yong Pyong Interski’s catch phrase was “Snowsports for all”. The Swiss said they wanted to close the loop with the phrase “Performance and Fun for All” The feeling that while snow sports have grown up together they were still separate and had their own identities. The Core Concept Model helps evolve teaching due to knowledge and skill exchange between disciplines.
Swiss Snowsport have worked hard to bring there snowsports together noting that they all have individual validity but a common core. This makes it more comfortable for the client to experience different sports and the modern instructor to become proficient trough training to become multi skilled. This will help the instructor and industry to survive in a very competitive recreation market.
An example of ideas that have worked would be Boarder Cross to Tele Cross, Nordic Cross, and Ski Cross. Alpine GS to Snowboard GS. Rails. And so on.
On Friday February 2nd the Swiss Team ran their snowboard clinic.
The Half pipe clinic was based around introduction to pipe riding. Having noticed that many people would like to ride the pipe but are intimidated the Swiss take particular care in making the pipe feel safe and fun. Safety gear was highly recommended for all their freestyle pursuits.
In the first exercise the group using the last 10 meters or so of an empty pipe to slide on the backsides down the walls from the platform. This was to allow student to feel less worried about a fall in the pipe. We then had teams to see who could reach the highest point on the pipe wall, sort of a human ladder. Last we tried to see who could run the highest up the wall. Up to now we had our boards off.
The first attempt at riding had us doing shallow turns down the pipe; over the next few runs the height was increased. With the increase in height riders are reminded to try to keep their bodies at 90 deg to board (the analogy used was an inverted T with the board having the body at right angles to it). Later the runs would put more emphasis on a more vertical line up the wall. This then made it possible to air, with riders tiring to land on there new edge (take of on toes and land on heals or take off on heals and land on toes).
The key was through gently increasing the difficulty of task they have a better chance of success. The student doesn’t need to take a blind leap!
Our next task was boxes. Again with a fun and safe environment the student will better learn to master the skills needed. A discussion of Frontside and Backside proceeded the session so the student could nominate their move and the instructor would be ready for the spin.
An emphasis on teacher assistance helps the student find success. Hand held 50-50’s with the instructor walking with the student, and as skill and confidence grows the student opportunity to do the task unassisted was presented.
For Board slides a strong slalom pole was used with an instructor on each end and the pole at waist level across the box. Student traveling slowly can pivot themselves with the use of their hands on the pole as the instructors walk or jog along the box. The instructors also could use a spare hand to hold tip and tail of board if needed.
We had mainly snowboarders doing slides but we were also shown the method worked well for skiers, disable/adaptive and tele (maybe even x-c).
Our trainer also has a small teddy bear on a snowboard that he would use to help with visualization.
The Swiss system works well and has the ability to improve itself more quickly due to a pooling of resources.
I would like to thank all A.P.S.I members for allowing me this opportunity. Hope the next team has a good a time as we did.
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