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New Zealand – Helicopters and Hangovers
31/08/2010
A couple of weeks on and the guys have partied hard but skied and snowboarded even harder, in an effort to get themselves in-shape for the level 2. Training has been really intense and although Queenstown has an abundance of activities that trainees can take-part in on their days off, they've often chosen to kick-back and relax at the hotel. The weather here has been far more temperamental since I last blogged; a number of storms have come-in from the Tasmin Sea and left us with powder and generally much better snow conditions.
Only last weekend the trainees were being shuttled by helicopters to the top of the Harris Mountain range for a day of shredding untouched powder. Unfortunately the weather closed-in a bit but there were still some great stashes of powder to be ridden and the Helicopter pilot wasn't shy of showing-off his skills.
So far this week all of the trainees have handed-in their ILM assignments and the skiers have begun their level 2 examination, with the snowboarders due to start on Friday. A special mention must go to Lettice and Fay who both passed their level 1 assessment last week, both girls showed a great deal of determination over the past few weeks and have really raised their game.
Tom
New Zealand – Burton New Zealand Open 2010
14/08/2010
It's not all work on the instructor course in New Zealand and as a self-confessed snowboard addict I was very keen to get the Snowboard trainees across to Cardrona for the final of the Burton New Zealand Open Halfpipe finals. Although Shaun White was absent this year we were treated to an unbelievable final with some of the Worlds top riders throwing-down tricks that I'd only ever seen on TV. Not only was the final spectacular but when we arrived there was 30cm of fresh powder covering the off-piste, so the guys had a lot fun slashing the morning away before spending 3 hours watching the action. It must be said that Cardrona is a wicked resort with a vast array of wide-open slopes and well worth the visit; all-in-all yesterday was one of the highlights of the season. Below are some of the photos that I took of the action:
(Hana and Fay watch as snowboarding legend JJ Thomas throws a 14ft high 1080 spin)
New Zealand – Relentless
13/08/2010
Conditions at the moment are perfect; temperatures have fallen and the Queenstown area had 30cm of fresh snow at the end of last weekend, all of the guys have been feeling the benefits of these conditions and the groups’ confidence is high.
New Zealand – .....worth the journey!
26/07/2010
Ever thought you’d travel for two days just to go skiing? Well in fairness I didn’t think I would either! Nevertheless, five films and six in-flight meals later I was descending rapidly into
After a quick pass through Kiwi customs I was in a taxi and on my way to the Coronet Peak Hotel, which is to be the trainees accommodation for the next ten weeks. The hotel is one of Queenstown’s largest hotels but is a family-run affair with its own bar, bowling alley, sauna and hot-tub; which are luxuries that seasonaires very seldom have access to, with the exception of the bar! The food here is exceptional with a fried breakfast every morning, if you want it, afternoon tea and a big hearty meal for dinner……so there’s absolutely no danger of anyone starving.
Over the next few days the trainees began arriving and exploring Queenstown and the surrounding ski resorts where they’d be training for the next 10 weeks, the Remarkables and
For the snowboarders training began on Monday 5 July with an introduction to the basic principles of snowboarding: stance, balance, rotation, pressure, equipment, and movement. The next three weeks they worked tirelessly with their trainers, Karl and Ben, to reach the standard required for their level 1 examination. The skiers on the other hand began their training on Thursday 8 July after having a few more days to get-to-know the mountains and find their feet. Similarly to the snowboarders the next few weeks would be spent getting to know the fundamental principles of skiing and the basics of teaching somebody to learn their first turns. The trainers, Robin and Todd, have been a huge inspiration to the trainees and I’ve genuinely never met a keener bunch of trainees.
Apart from training on the mountain the trainees have been busy with other activities. After a couple of workshop sessions they all know how to wax a pair of ski’s or a snowboard. All of the trainees have been given tips on how to put together a decent CV and covering letter for instructor jobs, together with a tips sheet that advises them on resorts and work practices. Those trainees taking the ILM have completed the lectures and have had an assessment workshop; they’re currently planning their assessment. We’ve all taken advantage of the weekly bowling sessions with James, Toby C (aka Nick) and Jamie all vying for the ‘Best Bowler’ title, but none coming remotely close to Phil, the hotels Entertainment Manager.
Although the trainees have been very focused on their training they’ve had some great nights in Queenstown; any town with over 50 bars and pubs within 400m² is always going to have a certain draw. Special mentions must go to Jamie and his ability to make a 3kg Fergburger disappear in seconds, Ewan and his remarkably bad chat-up-lines that seem to work, Joe and his severe intolerance to Alcohol…….and Lucy for her tolerance to Alcohol despite only turning 18 very recently. Nevertheless Queenstown has more to offer than just boozing; it’s actually the adventure sports capital of the world as Seamus, or Papa Smurf as he’s affectionately known, has found out. Not only has Seamus done the world’s third highest Bungee but he’s ridden the jet boat through the Shotover Canyon and has a days heli-skiing and a skydive planned for future days off; it seems the Lord Of The Rings Tour didn’t really cut the mustard’.
Talking of Bungee jumps you’ll be pleased/shocked to hear that the vast majority of trainees did their first jump this past Saturday in celebration of Lucy’s 18th Birthday…..I can reliably inform you that they all returned home in one piece. Not only did the trainees do the third highest Bungee jump in the World, I was nervous standing up there taking photos, but they also did the Worlds highest and largest swing, the Nevis Arc. Although the latter sounds like a walk in the park a drop of 150 metres with 70m freefall should not be snubbed. A special mention must go to Tommy who enjoyed the Bungee so much that he did it twice, on his second attempt he did a petrifying manoeuvre called ‘The Bullet’ which I can’t imagine he’ll be doing again! I was very proud of all the trainees as they all jumped at the count of three without a single tear or hissy fit……and Jaya even promised to return at the end of the trip and conquer her fear of the Bungee!
So, what’s next? Well the trainees have their level 1 examination this week so I’ll keep you all up-to-date with their progress and post another blog this time next week.
Tom
P.s Below is what some of the trainees, Lettice and Kate, have written about the first two weeks:
NEW ZEALAND – Week One and Two
Two weeks in and our whole team has arrived and settled in. The jet lag has subsided and everyone has got to know each other. Training for both skiers and snowboarders is well underway and has proved to be challenging at times.
Although we are still praying for a snowfall the conditions are still pretty sweet due to the snow cannons at Coronet Peak and the cold spell. We have been training at Coronet Peak but on our days off we have visited The Remarkables here we spend numerous hours in the snow park! Every day we are trying to improve our technique in preparation for our level one exam next week.
However, when we are not on the slopes we have the local cuisine to enjoy; primarily the legendary FERBURGER. The hotel food is also of an exceptional standard, with a buffet breakfast and a huge two-ourse dinner which is perfect for both before and after a hard day on the slopes! We have also sampled the Queenstown nightlife resulting in a series of fantastic nights and horrendous hangovers! During the days when we are not skiing or snowboarding we have decided to try some of the other extreme activities which the area is famous for. So far a few members of the group have sampled the Kawarau Jet boat and the majority of the group have signed up for the Nevis bungee and Nevis Arc Swing (supposedly the highest bungee in New Zealand and the highest swing in the world) for our youngest member, Lucy’s, Birthday.
Fingers crossed for the exams next week and for snow!
Lettice & Kate x
New Zealand – Snow Park & The End of an Era
13/09/2009
With exams over it was time to chill and have some serious fun! Most of us took a trip over to Snow Park NZ, one of the worlds best terrain park only resorts. The skiers were taught in the morning by some of the Snow Parks pros. Whilst the snowboarders were taught by Karl Dunham, their normal trainer who happens to be a pro too ;-)
Everyone tried out new tricks whether it was their first or hundreth time in the super-pipe, on the boxes or going off of the kickers.
We were even treated to some serious pros like Simon Dumont struting their stuff on the big line.
It was a great day but that wasn't the end of it. That evening was the course awards ceremony. The catergories and winners were:
Most Questionable Quoute - George Howell
Most Silly Scenario - Sarah Ellis
Best Goggle Marks - Alex Charman
Funniest Laugh - Charlotte Simister
Joker of the Course - Nick Kempster
Most Improved Skier - George Howell
Most Improved Boarder - Simon Moore
Awesome Award - Chris Thorpe
After all the awards and prizes were handed out it was time for karaoke. There was some interesting choices of songs. The best performance of the night for me was by Karl Dunham, the snowboard trainer, who did "A total eclipse of the heart" by Bonnie Tyler. I just wish I had a video of it to show everyone :-P
Well it has got to that time when we have to wrap things up. It has been an amazing 10 weeks and I'd like to thank everyone involved from the hotel staff to the trainers but most importantly I'd like to thank the team. You were all fantastic throughout the course, giving myself plenty of support and each other. I hope we have all taken away some great memories and have made some lifelong friends.
See you all in London on 7th November for the "Queenstown Super Instructor Reunion"
Safe journeys,
Your course leader,
Sam Feltham :-D
P.S. Don't forget to checkout all the photos from the course on the facebook group!!!
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