BOB IRWIN

People of APSI

 

Certification/s and year achieved.

  • 1984 APSI Level 3
  • 1986 APSI Examiner
  • 1991 Austrian Staatliche
  • 2007 NZSIA Examiner

 

What was training with the APSI like when you achieved your certification and how would you compare it to current times?

Was still in the era of European guidance. Alexis Sudan, George Pirmöser, Paul Romania. It was just as the new guard moving in to take over the reins.. Brad Spalding, Don McInnes, Peter Reynolds and Paul Bow were to go on and forge the way for the rest of us.

 

Which Australian Snowsports School did/do you work with?

I was at Falls Creek from 1979 until 2001

 

Did/do you also teach in the Northern Hemisphere and where?

Verbier, Switzerland. Mayrhofen, Kössen and Obergurgl Austria. Breckenridge, USA. Total 23 seasons overseas

 

What position/s did/do you hold in the APSI (include year's held)?

  • Examiner 1986 - 2001
  • Vice President (Victoria)
  • Technical Committee member 1990 - 1996
  • 1991 APSI National Demonstration Team (First Team to attend Interski)

 

What made/makes you most proud of the APSI at that time?

At this time [80's & 90's] there were so many highly qualified APSI members working in ski schools, as trainers, supervisors and highly requested instructors. These talented people forged great connections that helped many to follow their trailblazing.

 

What important events happened during your time with the APSI?

Interski 1991, where we fielded the first demonstration team. All of us on that team owe much to both Brad Spalding and Don McInnes. They had attended previous Interski events and coached, mentored and supported us in their roles as Coach and President

 

 APSI National Demonstration Team, Austria 1991

 Australia skis through the flag as a Demonstration run, Austria 1991

 Australia ski in A-U-S Formation, Austria 1991

 Interski Opening Ceremony, Austria 1991

  

With regard to your work with the APSI, what accomplishment/s are you most proud of? (share all that apply)

Interski 91, Australia was the first nation to have a Telemark skier, Snowboarder and Alpine skier showcase their talents together. The implementation of a certification that recognised the worth of children’s instructors. Working on the committee that developed the Redbook for trainers and examiners

 

How did the above accomplishment/s change the APSI moving forward?

There was an open and clear pathway for instructors to work through certification levels to become trainers. The concept of a resit program, so you could move on without having to redo the entire exam again. Laying the foundations for the current 4 tier system.

 

Describe how the APSI compared/s to international instructor organisations at that time?

As an organisation we were young and enthusiastic. We had learnt much from our previous mentors. I like to think that the APSI took the best from them, adapting this towards our unique resorts and guests. We weren't afraid to try new things, when many other nations were pretty set in their ways.

 

How did/do international organisations view the APSI? Was/is there much communication/sharing of information between organisations?

One of our greatest strengths was that we had many great ambassadors working overseas. APSI instructors were in demand for two reasons; work ethic and that their training was very good. This helped develop strong bonds that are still in place today. There was no self-promotion on the internet, so no connection was genuine.

 

During your time with the APSI, who were some influential/inspiring people within the organisation?

I'll get in trouble for forgetting a few here: Brad Spalding, Peter Reynolds, Don McInnes, Paul Bow, Rod Tidmarsh, Kerry Lee, Tom Peters, Mark Borderick, Mike Balf, Ian Bruce, Craig Daly, Roger Brynes, Geoff Price, Con Poulos, John Fahey.

Wow, looking at that list makes me feel privileged to have worked with such a large and talented group.

 

Please share a funny or interesting APSI story from your time with the APSI.

I'm sure that over a few beers something will come up. As the saying goes, what happens on the road,
stays on the road, haha