Snowboard Coach

The entry-level snowboard Instructor course in Great Britain is called the BASI Level 1 Snowboard Instructor Course. The course is approved and accredited by the British Association of Snowsport Instructors (BASI) - The governing body for Snowboard Instruction within Great Britain and the World. It is aimed at students who wish to find employment in a non mountain environment ie dryslope and indoor snow slopes. It is also the first stage for anyone wishing to gain the BASI level 2 Snowboard instructor course, enabling you to teach in a mountain environment.

The BASI level 1 snowboard instructor course is a 5-day course designed to teach competent recreational snowboarders the elements of technical riding and entry level teaching techniques. The minimum standard expected for the course is:

Be able to ride confidently on red runs, linking rhythmical small radius turns close to the fall line at a steady pace.
Be able to ride black runs confidently in control.
Have at least 10 weeks experience of riding on snow and probably more.

A sound knowledge of snowboarding itself is also a must. What would also be useful is to contact your local slope to see the possibility of shadowing lessons to gain an insight into what’s needed for the teaching element of the course.

During the course you're riding and teaching is assesed.The riding is done continually over the 5 days and the teaching element is split into 2 scenario sessions. Upon PASSING the course, you will be qualified to teach snowboarding on any dry-slope and any indoor snow facility in Great Britain. Candidates will now also have a more transparent path to progress onto the BASI Mountain Level 2 snowboard Instructor Course. A time scale for attending this next level will be given to all candidates at the end of the course.

In order to receive the award candidates who successfully complete the course MUST ALSO :

Be at least 16 years of age.
Be a member of BASI.
Hold a first Aid qualification that meets the requirements of BASI (This is not needed prior to attending the Instructor course – can be obtained after).
Complete the compulsory On-line Child Awareness Module
Complete 35 hours worth of shadowing at an approved BASI snow school.
Complete a Disclosure Scotland Criminal Record Disclosure Form online - Info available from here - online application click here

Courses will run from 9.30am until 4.30pm on snow with a lunch break at 1pm. A debrief/lecture in the evening will also take place so the day should wrap up around 5.30pm leaving time for personal practice time at the end of the day.

2010 Dates

The following list may be changed if minimum course numbers for that week are not met. A full refund of monies paid will be offered to all candidates if they cannot attend re-scheduled course.

This is the confirmed dates for all SNOWBOARD COACH snowboard Instructor courses for 2010. We are at Tamworth Snowdome, Hemel Snow Center and Milton Keynes Sno!zone.

Monday to Friday courses:

19th -23rd April 2010 - Tamworth - (completed)
17th - 21st May 2010 - Hemel Snow Center - (completed)
21st - 25th June 2010 - Hemel Snow Center - (completed)
28th June - 2nd July 2010 - Tamworth - (cancelled)
19th - 23rd July 2010 - Hemel Snow Center - (completed)
26th - 30th July 2010 - Milton Keynes - (no spaces left)
23rd -27th Aug 2010 - Tamworth (no spaces left)
6th -10th Sep 2010 - Hemel Snow Center (5 places left)

27th Sep - 1st Oct 2010 - Tamworth
11th - 15th Oct 2010 - Hemel Snow Center
25th -29th Oct 2010 - Tamworth
22nd -26th Nov 2010 - Tamworth

for more information please email: courses@snowboardcoach.co.uk

All course fees are set by the centres themselves and NOT Snowboard Coach. Prices are correct as of March 2010.

They include associate membership to BASI until October 2010, a selection of course material inc manuals etc....all slope time and course/training costs and rental equipment (if needed). Courses after October 2010 include Associate membership to BASI until Oct 2011.

Don't forget, anyone doing a course with Snowboard Coach is entitled to special discounts on K2 Snowboards and bindings, Westbeach clothing, Hoven eyewear and Drop gloves.

The courses do not include food or refreshments.

Milton Keynes: £550 (Increase due to extra charge for slope time)

Hemel Snow Centre: £425

Tamworth Snowdome: £425

Day 1 – The fundamentals – The whole day is spent looking at riding and identifying problems or areas that could be improved on in your personal riding. The idea is to raise your own awareness in your riding to be able to make it better. Also a stance analysis and equipment check to see if you’re getting the most out of your board.

Day 2 – The morning is again spent on personal riding with the added advantage of a video analysis session half way through. In the afternoon we start to look at the Central Theme. This is the progression we teach to beginners to help them understand what’s needed to make their first turns. This is a big help to your own personal riding as it’s not as easy as it looks.

Day 3 – The morning is spent looking at how we handle people. An important area as snowboarding is a physical sport and being an instructor involves a lot of helping! In the afternoon we start to focus on lesson planning and how to conduct a good session. We look at what key elements need to be delivered. You get to pick a lesson to deliver that will help you focus on a personal riding problem that was highlighted on previous days. Practice time in partners for delivery and demonstrations.

Day 4 – The morning is spent on personal riding and again we have a valuable video analysis session. By this time you are making you own comments on your performance as you have a better awareness of what you are doing on your board. The afternoon is the assessed lesson. You give a 15/20minute lesson to the rest of the group on your chosen part from the central theme.

Day 5 – The morning is spent predominantly riding. We also have the chance to do extra lessons for those that need it. We finish on the slope at 12.30 for lunch. We then have a course debrief followed by an individual debrief where the results are given. This is usually done by 4pm. The rest of the afternoon is then free time. Your lift ticket is valid until 6pm so you can choose to ride or chill in the bar.