This qualification is aimed at fully-certified working instructors (Snowboard Level Three or equivalent) who wish to become involved with training staff at their resort or candidates for Level One and Two Certifications.
This qualification is split into a five-day Workshop with a two-day Exam later in the season. The Workshop includes modules on clinicing skills, Level One and Two training, Level Three demos and personal rider improvement. Rider analysis is also covered via video.
Before the workshop you will need to submit via email:
- A 500 word technical article on your choice of topics. e.g. could be teaching based, riding based, mental, physical, etc.
- A training program outline based on 5 days of training per week. The plan should assume there will be 4 weeks of training followed by the Level One exam, then another 4 weeks of training followed by the Level Two exam.
Candidates are expected to present a 30 minute “teach to teach” clinic during the workshop and will receive peer and trainer feedback. The clinic should be aimed at Level One and Two exam candidates or instructor trainees, and the topic will be based around an introduction to:
- any of the teaching progressions within the level One or Two exams
- teaching children or
- the teaching cycle
Therefore you will need to be very familiar with the content of the Level One and Two exams (course outlines are available on-line).
Assessment of candidates’ riding is done performing through Level One, Two and Three demos, along with freeride and freestyle elements according to the situations present on the day – candidates are expected to be able to ride the whole mountain forwards and switch. Candidates are assessed on their movement analysis skills via various video clips followed by a technical discussion with the examiner. Candidates’ clinicing skills are assessed during a one-hour ‘training situation’ presented to the other candidates. Training situations can include teach-to-teach, technical and one-on-one trainer-to-trainee scenarios. Clinic topics are nominated by the Examiner.
Please note:
If you pass only one portion of the Trainers Exam you must re-sit the entire exam. If you pass two of the three components in your Trainers Exam, you may re-sit the third component that you were unsuccessful at within the same season. If you are not successful in passing all components within the same season you must re-sit the full Trainers Exam again, but your Workshop will remain valid for life.
However, as content continually changes it is recommended that you stay up-to-date by attending the workshop again after a few years if you are planning on taking the exam. The Children’s Teaching Certification and the Freestyle Certification are also pre-requisites for the Trainers Certification.
Summary
Length:5 day Workshop, 2 day Exam.
Pre-requisites:You must be an associate member or full member and have Snowboard Level Three Certification or foreign equivalent (see FAQs), as well as the Freestyle Certification and the Children’s Teaching Certification.
Why take this certification:Full-cert instructors (Level Three) wishing to train other instructors should sit this certification. Not only is it a step towards becoming an Examiner, but it equips you with the skills to train others effectively and efficiently.
What’s next: Upon completion of the Trainers Certification you may be invited to Examiner Training and be offered the opportunity to shadow Level One and Two exams.
Testimonials
Name: Rhys Jones
Course and Resort: Trainers certification
Year passed: 2011.
“Going through the Trainers exam process this season was a tough but extremely rewarding experience. I had sat the exam the previous season (2010) but was unsuccessful and as a result had to re-sit the trainer’s workshop. Passing the trainers exam was still a goal of mine to further my career but I was experiencing some financial issues. I was told about the SBINZ development fund and contacted course manager Matt Phare to enquire about financial support towards the course. This was then put to the committee and after some discussion was approved, stoked! This opportunity was invaluable to me and with the support of SBINZ it helped me to stay motivated and committed towards achieving my goal of becoming a trainer. I think this development fund offered by SBINZ is a great gesture to helping instructors who want to move into the Trainers role and I would like to thank SBINZ and the committee for this opportunity.”
