Goals vs Dreams
BY NELSON WINGARD PSIA-NW TECH TEAM
Turning Point

The difference between a goal and a dream is that dreams don’t have deadlines. My goal was to make the PSIA National Alpine Team by the time I turned 33. Stupid as it may sound, that was the time frame I gave myself. That was the plan, go to Snowbird in April, try out and then either keep developing as a Professional Ski Instructor on the National Alpine Team or join up with the Air Force and learn to fly jets (32 is max age to sign up for the Reserves). I say was the plan because it was at the tryout that the plan changed.

The tryout was a turning point in my life; however it wasn’t the selection that defined the event, but rather the selection process. Five days of skiing and working with some of the greatest minds and athletes this nation has to offer provided insight into my skills and talents as a ski professional. During the tryout, I felt comfortable with my knowledge and ability to convey/ teach at that level and it had significant effects on great skiers. I now had to recognize all the little changes and gains in knowledge and skills that I had achieved over the years. If I might, I would like to throw out a few…

From Jim Stevens in Mammoth— Both shins on both boot cuffs and tune matters

From David Tewell—Tip the ski before it changes directions

From Gav—Control pressure, don’t try and create it

From Rach—Flex the spine forward and lateral in your short turns

From Leneh—Compassion is the key to teaching

From Chris—A ski can do that?

From Karin H—Understanding of Counter (sorta)

From Sean Bold—Get to the freshie (new outside ski) earlier by starting earlier

From Mr. T—Suppleness

From Chad & a SB—Change edges only when moving with the board (ouch)

From Bob Barnes—Don’t let being a Pro stop you from having a really good time

From PJ—Make all snow look like good snow

From RT—Ski racing is just good skiing around sticks

From Tad—A quiet torso is different than a static body

From John E—Listen to the sound of the turn

From DL—A skis limitless ability to entertain & the tip is way, way up there

From Amy Z—Know your students

From Calvin—Take time to get to know your students

From Ben Jackson—Just get inside the turn and decide from there

From Chris T—You are better, but you still have a whole lot to learn

During the tryout, I was considering the question, “What does it mean; to be accepted on the national team or to not be chosen?” Does it mean I am a skiing icon and have nothing left to learn or conversely I suck and should quit. Sounds like a stupid thought, but in the pressure of the situation, that’s how I felt. Finally, I realized that if not selected, it certainly didn’t mean that I sucked and had start shopping for a sport for little, fat guys. It simply meant that my knowledge and abilities didn’t fit with this group at this time and I should go back to Crystal Mountain and keep learning. To quit would be to devalue prior learning’s. I could never do that. Conversely, being selected I would have new doors and opportunities to grow and develop while adding benefit to the membership of PSIA/ AASI. It definitely didn’t mean that my learning was complete (I’m no Yogi, Yoda.) Since making the team, this has been clearly marked by new learnings and misconceptions.

From Giant’s Ridge, MN—3 degrees is damn cold, but a nice day there.

From Killington, VT—We (NW) don’t have hard snow. EVER.

From Karen Harjo—I still don’t understand Counter.

From Jason—Stay on the gas (keep the outside leg long in the GS turn)

From KH and NM—Duration, Intensity, Rate, & Timing are key From the Ed. Advisory Council— It is all about the membership

From Copper Mt—You can’t get to PIA from HR in 1hr and make your flight

Also from Copper—It’s all about you, the member

From Chris Thompson—You still have a lot to learn

So, the turning point came when I realized that even though the goal that set was to make the team in 2004, regardless of the outcome, I would still want to pursue the goal of making the team in 2008. To realize my dream now, I need to continue to learn and set short term goals that will continue personal development.

If I had not been selected, I would have continued as a Snowsport Instructor in the Northwest. It is what do and what I love, and to some degree, what I am. I hope to do this Full Time for the rest of my life.

PS. Floyd Conrade. No, to answer your question, but I did get engaged!