B.E..R.P vs F.A.R.T.

Puts the fun in teaching

Imagine using these acronyms in a class of young adults. How about preteens? Now, you can glimpse what our 1^st on-snow clinics were like this year. Fun and informative.

Before continuing, I must mention that I have the great pleasure of working for one of my favorite people, Lane McLaughlin. Having been groomed by the Vail Ski School and getting fully certified in the Rocky Mountain region, I have been exposed to some great instructors. Not all of these instructors, however, are what I call a “teacher’s teacher”, one who loves teaching others for the joy of reveling in the student’s accomplishment. Lane is one of those. Still, why mention him? Because it was his quick wit (as those who know him can vouch) that provided the perfect words to fit the odious acronym mentioned above. He deserves full credit.

As many can attest, clinics can be tedious affairs of standing around discussing skill sets and teaching methods that are both abused by jugs of technical explanations poured over poorly executed demonstrations, while we “students” freeze, allowing our minds to wonder when is “Miller Time”. Of course, not all clinics are like that, and as I mentioned, our very first clinic was happily jump started by B.E.R.P. vs F.A.R.T.

We are familiar with blending of balance, edging, rotary and pressure. When in harmony, we can form graceful, arcing turns. Movement patterns are efficient, guiding our skis forward around each turn. We can change direction at whim, even over varied terrain. These could be called our B.E.R.P. turns. It’s the goal, the centerline turns we all strive for each time the skis tip, engaging edges to snow. Deflection starts at the ski tips with forward movement, and the ride starts. Legs extend, pressure builds under foot, rotary movements (steering) constantly being adjusted to keep feet (and body) on top of the skis. Then riding the feet back under you to the next side. Almost like a toboggan ride. Nothing abrupt. Nothing random. Skis are always going forward in a path, creating arc after arc.

Yes, we explored all this in our December clinics. We were short and directed on explanations, but long on practice. Being a smart mouth and mostly a teacher of younger people, I couldn’t resist when the word “B.E.R.P.” came up at the beginning of the clinic. For some reason it stirred a memory within me where a “burp” would have been preferable to a flatulent act and so stated, “…better a burp than a fart.” Immediately, Lane came up with Frequent Abrupt Random Turns. We all couldn’t stop ourselves from laughing. F.A.R.T. was the antithesis of B.E.R.P.

Rather than rounded, planned turns, F.A.R.T. represented those unplanned zigzag turns, in which people experience skidding sideways, bracing for each unbalancing jolt from the snow beneath unyielding feet, ankles and legs. How many times do you see someone with their pole ready to spear the beast that will surely trip them? It’s there, no there, oh right there. Finally, you witness their spearing the beast, accompanied with over rotation of the upper body, followed by a quick change of direction, forming the infamous “Z” turn. These turns happen frequently. They are abrupt. They are random. But, they are turns. In a sense, F.A.R.T. represented our challenge as instructors to change movement patterns through a series of steps (yes, those stepping stones), exercises and tasks, guiding our students to discover and change toward becoming a more efficient skier. A goal we all strive for, at whatever level of skier we are.

However, in our clinic, we found that by saying “fart”, berp”, “berp”, “berp”, “fart”, “berp”, “burp” as we recognized efficient, smooth, rounded turns versus unbalanced, inefficient, washed out or flat ended or jammed turns, we had a great time. Not only did it make us aware of our own turns, we had fun way of communicating to each other. Then, of course, we would mention the cause and effect of observed movements. No doubt, B.E.R.P. and F.A.R.T. lightened the atmosphere. Perhaps, it could happen in a class. Hmmmmmm. I wonder what Susy or Johnny would be saying to their parents about ski school? But, would they have fun? I did, but some say I’m just an “old fart” anyway.

David Berkey

Level 3 Alpine

Level 1 Snowboard

Edmonds Shoreline Snowsports