A Milestone in My Teaching Career

When I started skiing and racing, at Mansfield Ski Club (a little club in Southern Ontario), I had the privilege of having some of the best coaches. From Greg and Sean in Nancy Greene and then Wade, Jason, and finally Brad. There were others around me that influenced me but even as a young racer I knew that one day I wanted to be like them.

I wanted to be a great coach and I would do whatever it takes to get there

As I grew up I learned that the best coaches had their Level 3 CSCF (Canadian Coaching Federation).  When I started out coaching that was my goal was to become one day a Level 3 Coach – yesterday that became I reality, I am now a Level 3 Coach.

The path to get there …

I took the course 4 years ago now and then I took the exams two years after that. The course was a 5 day course where we coached each other and race gates all day – it was some of the most fun I’ve ever had on course; I was surrounded by ex-provincial and national team racers. The exams are a two day event that some what mirror the course, except the course conductors aren’t there to give you feedback they are there to just examine you.

There are 6 components to the level 3 coach – setting, coaching, GS free ski, GS Gates, Slalom free ski and Slalom Gates. On my first attempt I was successful in 5 of the 6 components, I did not pass the slalom gate ski.

With the changes happening at the CSCF and it going from the Level 1, 2 and 3, to the entry, development and performance Levels, it made it almost impossible to finish my Level 3 (now the performance level) last year.

This year Pierre Ruel, CSCF coordinator announced that this would be the last year they would grandfather the old system and made it accessible for all of us to reattempt our exams. Yesterday was my retest.

My first set of exams was -30, blowing snow, you couldn’t see three gates in front of you. But yesterday was sunny with great snow.

I woke up feeling a little nervous but as I headed out the door, I thought to myself, ‘I love skiing slalom, I’m going to have fun.’

After the first session it was over, I had been successful. The CSCF are not gatekeepers of the Level 3 – so when they see something they like they reward it. They are enablers, mentors, supporters.

I look forward to my future with the coaching federation. Much like the instructors federation (CSIA) I would like to start teaching level 1 coach courses and being more involved.