Permission to Twitch Like a Dog.

Snowboard Ed Opportunities!

by Earl Saline

Alright! The weather is turning downright cold, hopefully by the time you read this our playgrounds will be turning that beautiful shade of white we all love. If we're lucky maybe we're even sliding on them.

As my dreams of sliding work their way into reality, I'm also looking forward to the coming season as an opportunity to continue my snow specific education. With a new manual coming out and more information about Fundamental Movements, we should all be excited.

The educational opportunities the division provides are excellent ways to keep your riding and your mind growing and evolving. (Much the way our sport keeps evolving.) The division will again host events like Divisional Academy (three days of solid riding with coaches input), Symposium (two to three days to explore different topics and terrain), GS Race Camp (go-fast-gate-bashing), Pre-Exam Clinics (meet your examiners and clear up your last minute questions), and the Professional Development Series (indoor-heated brain sessions and outdoor-on snow sliding sessions).

 And of course, there is always the tried and true CUSTOM SNOWBOARD CLINIC. This is where you or your school get a group of your closest teaching companions together, call the office and say, "Educate us, please!". Then, sure enough, one of our talented Divisional Clinicians will magically appear at your doorstep with snowboard on feet, ready to ride and educate. Please keep in mind when putting together a C.S.C., that we do our best to address everyone's varying concerns and riding abilities. Therefore, if a group has like minded goals and riding skills, it will aid the clinician in meeting their expectations.

As the divisions snowboard education program develops, look for more definitive clinic topics. Clinics for the brand new instructor, advanced Freestyle for pipe and park riding, aggressive all terrain free riding, how to improve your teaching, and others spanning this spectrum are planned. The goal is to give everyone a chance to become a better rider and teacher.

A the snow begins to fall, turn your thoughts to the coming season and think about what you want to accomplish. Maybe go so far as to put a plan down in writing. Mark your calendar with the events, plan accordingly so that as exam time draws near, you are not scrambling for information or input. Spread the work out over the entire season and it won't be a crunch at the last minute

Keep dreaming about that two feet of fresh you'll be riding all season and remember, it's OK to twitch like your dog when your dreaming. I'll see you out there.