NZSIA Adaptive Division offers New Zealand based adaptive qualifications at Level One, for those that hold a Level One Ski/Snowboard Level One Certification, and at Level Two, for those that hold a Ski/Snowboard Level two certification and have adaptive experience.
An Adaptive Level Three (full-cert) is in the pipe-line.
Adaptive Level One and Two
The qualifications are designed to adapt teaching, techniques and equipment for people with a wide range of physical, intellectual or sensory disabilities to learn to ski or snowboard. They adapt the NZSIA level progressions from one through four for each adaptive dicipline. The courses cover the recommended teaching progressions up to the appropriate level for: mono-ski, bi-ski, 4-track, 3-track, snowboard, visual impairments and intellectual impairments; lifting, loading and handling, etiquette, attitude and disability awareness.
The assessment of candidates is performed on a continuous basis during the course and through a written paper on disability awareness.
The written paper assesses candidates’ ability to adapt the NZSIA progressions for each discipline noting the main points to teach helpers and identifying the main red flags for disabilities associated with each discipline. Pre-course work, given out prior to the course, covers a wide range of disabilities. This will be accepted at the start of the course for marking and will go toward the final mark.
Level Two has a final day examination component with a practical assessment that covers etiquette, attitude, disability awareness and mountain safety awareness. During this time candidates will present a ten minute explanation on the set-up of the skier/equipment and the main points for helpers and disability-specific issues. Candidates will be required to teach a given scenario for approximately 40mins.
Download Course Outline
Summary
LEVEL ONELength: 2 day volunteer training, bi ski tether training, 4 volunteer sessions, 2 day course.
Volunteer and bi ski tether training is provided by an adaptive programme co-ordinator at Mt Ruapehu, Cardrona and the Remarkables. The co-ordinators can also arrange the volunteer sessions. Volunteer training in the South Island is typically on resort opening weekends.
Pre-requisites: For Adaptive Level One you must have a Ski or Snowboard Level One Certification or foreign equivalent. Adaptive courses require NZSIA associate or full membership.
Why take this certification: This qualification introduces you to the world of adaptive instruction and gives you the skills necessary to teach people with a disability on the learners slope. It provides instructors with the opportunity to move into an area of instruction that is diverse and highly rewarding, and broadens your portfolio of qualifications.
What’s next: Upon completion of the Adaptive One consider Adaptive Level Two.
LEVEL TWOLength:6 Days.
Pre-requisites: For Adaptive Level Two you must have a Ski or Snowboard Level Two and Adaptive Level One or foreign equivalent. Adaptive courses require NZSIA associate or full membership.
Why take this certification: This qualification gives instructors the tools necessary to teach people with a disability to an intermediate level. You will gain deeper understanding of different disabilities and how they affect people on and off the slopes. You will learn how to adapt your teaching progressions to the different adaptive diciplines.
What’s next: Upon completion of the Adaptive Level Two consider furthering your qualifications in your other dicipline and enquire about our plans for Level Three.
Testimonials
Name: Nathan Merchant and Georgina Simon
Course and Resort: Adaptive Level Two at The Remarkables
Year passed: 2009
“The exam was intense and demanding, learning so many new skills related to adaptive skiing and snowboarding in such a short period of time. What we learned during the exam has been invaluable when used in a practical scenario, and the Trainers running the course kept our spirits high and made the whole experience less daunting and great fun. There is a huge amount of information to take on board but this was made much easier by the camaraderie of the group. We all helped each other out when required, made possible by a shared desire to succeed and have the opportunity to teach adaptive snowsports. If you are interested in teaching adaptive snowsports, this course and exam is the best experience that you could possibly hope for. We found it much tougher than our Level Two exams in skiing and snowboarding, but we feel that it has given us a greater love for what we do and a greater confidence in our abilities to adapt our teaching to all scenarios.”
