Choosing a snowboard instructor involves a little more than looking one up in the yellow pages or choosing the one nearest home. After all, you are spending your hard earned cash on lessons, so you want to get your money’s worth with an instructor that is relatively in tune with you and understands your limitations and goals.
There are a few questions you should ask when shopping around for a snowboard instructor and if you go through a winter sports school or ski resort, most will try and match you up with someone compatible.
Avoid Personality Clashes
First of all, when looking for a snowboard instructor, you need to decide if you could learn within a small group or class or would one on one instruction be more effective. In addition, will it matter whether or not the instructor is the same gender than you or even younger or older? Many schools and resorts will try and match up age and skills when creating classes, so if you are an older adult, would you care if you were in a class with people decades younger?
How You Learn
How you learn can make a big difference in which person you choose for a snowboard instructor. Do you learn by listening or are you more of a watch and learn or learn by doing kind of person? Let the snowboarding school or resort know whether you prefer a more structured instructional class or whether you would like something more interactive and expressive. Plus, some people learn more effectively when placed in challenging situations rather than a more nurturing one.
Decide what type of environment you need in terms of instruction and always ask for a snowboard instructor who is fully certified and qualified to handle anything thrown at them. Fully certified instructors understand the various learning styles of students and work hard to match the tone you set.
Set Your Goals
Have an idea of what you want to accomplish before you hire a snowboard instructor. Do you want to look like you know what you are doing at your next winter vacation or are your goals more about achieving amateur or professional status? Time constraints are another factor in choosing the right instruction just as much as your general overall health. Whether you are perfectly healthy or have some infirmity that you have to make allowances for, you will want a snowboard instructor who can help you adapt your snowboarding techniques accordingly.
|
