Instructor Academy – Gap/Fast Track Course
A “Life Changing Experience” - This is how the Instructor Academy Fast Track (Gap) Course was billed and it looked to be a very exciting opportunity. It was in Andorra, not so very far from home, and promised an intense period of Instruction with a CSIA Level II qualification as the outcome. I could not have imagined how much it would change my life - but now a couple of years on I can fully appreciate the personal development the Instructor Academy helped me to achieve.
I had been skiing for ten years (a week at a time) with my family but the ten weeks of this course were worth much more than twice that through the concentrated practical and theoretical lessons with the instructors.
The breadth and depth of knowledge of the instructors became evident and impressive and the standard of professionalism demanded provided confirmation that these CSIA qualifications are not awarded lightly.
No doubt the achievement of technical skills is to be expected but one acquires so much more than that – self-confidence, initiative, problem solving, team working, and discipline – skills which are, of course transferable but more importantly vital to one’s development as a rounded individual.
An important part of that learning environment flowed from the friendliness and inclusive attitude of all those from whom and with whom I learnt. This was the first time I had spent any substantial length of time away from home and my natural worries were very quickly reassured through the lively camaraderie that characterizes the Instructor Academy. They have become a second family to me.
I suppose the jargon is, “work hard, play hard” and there is no doubt that the Soldeu Instructor Academy Cadre strive as much for perfection on blues guitar and microphone after sundown as they do for skis and boards on the daytime slopes.
So, yes, my life has been changed and I feel privileged to be working with such a proficient and likeable group of people in a vibrant resort and especially to be able to pass on the skills and enthusiasm to others that was afforded me.
Sign up – you’ll never regret it!
Peter Howe
Level III Instructor, Ski School Soldeu |
