Adaptive Level One

NZSIA offer the Adaptive Level One for those that hold a Level One Ski/Snowboard Level One 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.

This qualification is 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 discipline. 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.

Summary

Length: 3 days

Certification resource: The NZSIA Adaptive Manual is required reading for this course.

Pre-requisites: Two-day volunteer training, bi-ski tether training, four volunteer sessions. For Adaptive Level One you must have a Ski or Snowboard Level One Certification or foreign equivalent, and be a full or associate member of the NZSIA.

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. For further information please contact Jane Stevens the Course Manager – jane@snowsports.co.nz.

Assessment Process

The assessment of candidates is performed on a continuous basis during the course and through an online E-learning module. During the course you will be asked to demonstrate knowledge and usage of commonly used equipment and show a basic understanding of common disabilities and how we can adapt NZSIA and SBINZ progressions to suit. The online E-learning module 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. The online E-learning module is available on the NZSIA website and can be completed any time before the first day of the exam.

If you are planning on taking this course at Turoa or Whakapapa, please click here to watch an important safety video.