GRAHAM HAMMOND People of APSI

 

Certification/s and year achieved.

• 2009 - Telemark Level 4
• 2009 - Nordic Level 4

  

Which Australian Snowsports School did/do you work with?

As a Telemark and Nordic instructor, I worked with a few businesses who offered instruction in these disciplines. There wasn't a Snowsports School that offered Telemark and Nordic without it being classed as a private lesson.
It certainly made both myself and the businesses I worked for an opportunity to develop and evolve to what we knew was an audience that would grow. I am only too grateful for those that supported me and allowed this to become my full time career in these disciplines.

 

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

Worked with a company called the Telemark Ski Co. which delivered weeklong instruction in many locations throughout Europe. Greece, Switzerland, France, Scotland, Norway, Italy.

 

   

 

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

Technical Director for 2 years?

 

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

Supporting Telemark and Nordic and allowing these disciplines to co-exist with Alpine and Snowboard. Joining the Interski Team in Korea.

 

What important events happened during your time with the APSI?

2007 Interski, Korea

   

2007 Interski, PyeongChang, Korea

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

Interski, Korea, gaining the connections with other disciplines to evolve together in our skills, teaching and philosophies.

 

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

During my time the APSI was highly regarded internationally. I think this is as result of working hard to attend events such as Interski and also having key players in the disciplines performing on the international level as technicians and innovators.

 

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

Telemark especially was a fringe discipline and combining this with coming from Australia made people interested in how we could achieve such a level. I feel that as Australians who had to travel widely to make this their profession, we were able to learn from others and create what is our own approach. Learning from others but having the ability to create our own identity and approach.

 

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

Peter Mack. I went through my Telemark courses with Peter as my mentor. He had achieved lots in the APSI and was recognised globally as a technician in this sport.

 

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

Working predominantly at Perisher I always felt like an imposter on Telemark skis wearing an instructors uniform. Using the lift lane with clients and again being looked at as if we were avoiding the queues. Having a cross discipline day where trainers from other disciplines put on telemark skis. Watching the very interesting techniques being showcased as they tried to force turns on telemark equipment. I wish I had photos as it made me cry with laughter.

 

Is there anything else that you think would be interesting to share about your time with the
APSI?

I feel like the APSI has always produced technicians in their disciplines throughout the years, that are highly regarded. We should be proud that we are leaders and not followers.