Staying Strong all Season: Protect your shoulder

/in /by

Protect Your Shoulder This Ski Season

 

By guest author and physical therapist Laura Garcia

 

You are bombing down your favorite run, you catch an edge and find yourself creating a yard sale down the mountain. Your arm is outstretched one direction and your body another. When the snow settles you feel an intense pain in your shoulder, maybe some numbness or tingling, and a deep desire to keep your arm close to your body. The ligaments that are designed to hold your shoulder joint together reached their limit and allowed the ball of your upper arm to slide out of the socket dislocating your shoulder. 

 

To minimize pain and maximize success, you want to get your shoulder back in place as soon as possible. Fortunately, emergency medical staff are well versed in relocating shoulders. Unfortunately, your supportive ligaments are now a bit stretched out leaving you more susceptible to future dislocations. Strengthening the muscles surrounding your shoulder may have helped prevent this type of injury and will now be crucial for avoiding subsequent dislocations. 

 

The following are intermediate to advanced exercises to help create and restore shoulder stability. If you have recently injured your shoulder, please consult with your health practitioner to determine the exact nature of your injury, your stage of recovery, and your readiness for these or any exercises. You should always be able to perform these exercises without increased pain.

    

 

Modified Plank on Ball: Place elbows on the ball shoulder width apart, keep your body lengthened in a plank position with your core engaged and your spine in a neutral position. Using your elbows, slowly roll the ball forward and back 10 times while maintaining your body position. Rest and then repeat for a total of 3 sets. 

 

Plank to Side Plank: Maintain a neutral spine position by engaging your deep abdominals. Press your sternum away from the floor while keeping your shoulders away from your ears. Hold this plank position 10 seconds. Then, slowly rotate your shoulder moving into a side plank position while maintaining your body alignment. Hold 10 seconds and then slowly rotate back to your starting plank position. Repeat 5-10 times depending on your ability to maintain form. 

 

Ball Walkouts: Start with the ball under your hips and slowly work your way into a plank position. Initially you can start with the ball resting on your thighs or shins until you have enough strength and control to balance on your toes. Hold this position for 30-60 seconds. To increase the challenge, take small steps with your hands forward and back alternating arms. You should be able to maintain a neutral spine throughout the exercise. Repeat for 3 sets.

 

Kettlebell Rotations: Hold kettlebell at or just above shoulder height. Maintain shoulder blades back and down and slowly rotate the kettlebell from the elbow keeping the shoulder steady. Perform 10 rotations. Repeat 3 sets for a total of 30 rotations.

 

Supine Kettlebell Press and Hold w/Sidelying Rotation: Slowly press kettlebell over your chest. Maintaining the position of the kettlebell with a straight elbow, slowly rotate your body onto your side and then return to your back. Perform 10 times. Repeat 3 sets for a total of 30.

Laura Garcia graduated in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from UC Irvine. In 2006 she received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Samuel Merritt University in Oakland, CA. She has worked the last 13 years treating individuals of all ages with orthopedic and neurologic dysfunctions. Laura is currently working at Synergy Healing Arts in Truckee. Combining her fields of study, she strives to help others protect and balance their bodies in order to maximize their dynamic function.  

 

Western Structure – Proposed Updates to Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation

/in /by

 

Vote on the proposed new Bylaws, updated Articles of Incorporation and Organizational Structure at the Fall Rally being held at Mammoth Mountain, December 8-9, 2019.

The Western Division is making the move from an Operational Board to a Strategic Board.

Why the change?
The new structure will bring all the operational duties and responsibilities under the oversight of the Western
Office. This will allow for more streamlined operations for all day to day management of the organization. The
Western Board will be in turn better positioned to focus on Strategic Vision and planning for the continued
growth and success of our organization. The oversight of the office still remains under the control of the
Western Board, which is voted in by you our members.

How does this change affect you?
With operational duties being based solely from the Western Office, we will be able to better support our
members through more consistent application of our organization’s policies and faster response time to the
wide range of membership questions.
We hope that this move will help to increase member engagement and involvement as well as help us to
diversify our board to be a better representation of the broad membership demographic. If you are interested
in becoming a member of the Western Board of Directors, you would be in a role to better help guide the
strategic vision and direction of the West, without having to commit to ongoing operational duties for the
organization.

Please attend and vote on the proposed updated ByLaws and Articles of Incorporation at the Fall Education Rally on
December 8 at Mammoth from 3:30-6 pm in the MCC Room.
—
Specific Changes

PRIVILEGES OF INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 5.3 HOLDING OFFICE
Certified, Alumni, and Lifetime members in good standing are qualified to hold office or be a member of the
Board of Directors

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SECTION 9.9. EMPLOYEES NOT QUALIFIED TO SERVE AS A DIRECTOR.
A member who is otherwise qualified to run for the Board may not serve on the board if the member continues
as an employee of the Corporation. Any member who is an employee of the Corporation must take a leave of
absence from his/her position as an employee before being installed as a Board member; provided, however,
this provision shall not require Board members who are already serving as duly elected board members at the
time these bylaws become effective to take a leave of absence as employees for the duration of their elected
term.

ELECTED OFFICERS
SECTION 10.1. OFFICERS
The officers of the Corporation shall consist of a Chairperson of the Board, Vice Chairperson of the Board,
Secretary, Treasurer, and the ASEA National Board Representative. Officers need not be members of the Board
of Directors. Any number of offices may be held by the same person, except that the Secretary and Treasurer
may not serve concurrently as the Chairperson of the Board.
Officers do not have to be BOD members.
No more alpine or Snowboard VP – duties all moved to Task Forces (formerly Committees)

Moved to P&P Manual
Code of Ethics
Censure & Expulsion
Transfer of Membership
Committees

We will also need a vote to approve the CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT of The Articles of Incorporation of
The Professional Ski Instructors of America – Western Division Articles of Incorporation Changes:
The foregoing amendments of the Articles of Incorporation has been duly approved by the board of directors.
1. Article FIRST of the Articles of Incorporation of this corporation is amended to read as follows:
a. Professional Ski Instructors of America & American Association of Snowboard Instructors West.
2. Article SIXTH of the Articles of Incorporation of this corporation is amended to read as follows:
a. That the number of said corporation’s directors shall be no less than seven (7) and no more than
twelve (12).

Current Bylaws and P&P Manual

 

What is PSIA-AASI?

/in /by

Did you know that the Professional Ski Instructors of America and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors represents nearly 33,000 women and men who are dedicated to promoting snowsports through instruction? In fact, PSIA-AASI is the world’s largest organization dedicated to snowsports, let alone snowsports instruction.

In this video, which was created in part to help Colorado State University provide an overview of the snowsports industry for its Graduate Certificate in Ski Area Management, PSIA-AASI CEO Nicholas Herrin explains how the association helps good instructors become great instructors and also prepares them for a career in the snowsports industry.Herrin offers details on how the PSIA-AASI community benefits snowsports schools, provides educational resources so help members succeed and also works to benefit the overall industry by promoting participation and growth at every level.Check out the video and share it on your own social media channels to show your support for PSIA-AASI!

Women’s Scholarship Opportunity

/in , , , /by

Are you or someone you know a female ski/snowboard instructor looking for an opportunity to progress your professional goals? Do you need additional funding to attend events or exams? Click below to find out more about the Nancy Oakes Hall Women’s Scholarship!

APPLY HERE

Applicant must be a female member of PSIA-AASI with their Level I certification, in any discipline. Applications due November 8th, 2019.

 

 

“Thanks to the educational commitment and vision of former PSIA Alpine Demonstration Team member Nancy Oakes Hall, female members of PSIA-AASI who wish to follow in her bootsteps in the snowsports industry will have some extra support thanks to the newly created Nancy Oakes Hall Women’s Scholarship program. Founded by Oakes Hall and developed in conjunction with PSIA-AASI, the scholarship program empowers distinguished women in snowsports education by providing opportunities to engage with peers and advance their professional development.”

“PSIA-AASI is fortunate to receive Nancy’s contribution, which will help support women by expanding their education and leadership opportunities in the snowsports industry,” said Nicholas Herrin, PSIA-AASI CEO. “One of our goals as an organization is to be a community of educators that positively influences others. I see the Nancy Oakes Hall Women’s Scholarship as an opportunity to grow our community and help shape our future leaders.”

-PSIA-AASI National

 

 

Excellence in Journalism award given to Michael Rogan

/in /by

The Board of Directors of the Education Foundation of PSIA-AASI Western Division has launched a first-in-the-profession “Excellence in Journalism” award benefiting the snowsports industry.

Recognizing the importance of communication about our profession to both members and the skiing/riding public at large is important to our growth and understanding of our sport, the Education Foundation launched the award at the 2019 PSIA-AASI Spring Convention at Mammoth Mountain. Michael Rogan, PSIA’s Alpine Team Coach, was this year’s first recipient of the award.

Michael began his skiing career in the East with positions at Catamount, NY and Pico, VT before he accepted a position with Jimmy Ackerson at Portillo, Chile in 1989. Michael moved shortly thereafter to Heavenly Valley shortly and firmly established himself in the Western Division of PSIA-AASI.

Rogan has 60 professional seasons under his belt, alternating between Heavenly and Portillo, since 1989. He has been a member of the PSIA Alpine Team since 1996 to the present day, a total of 23 years. In the world of international teams attending Interski, this length of service is unprecedented.

Michael began contributing to SKI magazine in 1994, two years before he was accepted into the PSIA Demo Team. He worked with Stu Campbell at SKI until 2008 and after Campbell’s death he became the magazines instructional director.

Stu Campbell said of Rogan: “He keeps asking questions, experimenting and trying new things, then he makes it concise and to the point. He is always working hard, seeking knowledge and then he lets us in on the secret.”

Within PSIA-AASI Michael has worked with video, blogs, podcasts, manuals, magazines and newsletters to present information we can all use in teaching skiing.

· 32 Degrees: A frequent contributor and technical adviser

· 2014 Alpine Manual: Technical Adviser

· 2018 Teaching Snowsports Manual: Reviewer

· SKI Magazine: Contributor for 25 years.

The Western Division of PSIA-AASI will continue to recognize those individuals who have contributed to the growth and understanding of our sport through service and dedication.

The PSIA-AASI Western Division Education Foundation was established in 1994 to provide financial assistance to PSIA-AASI-W instructors looking to enhance their personal growth and further their careers in snow sports instruction. The mission of the Foundation is to provide education opportunities for professional ski and snowboard instructors.

We want YOUR Pictures!

/in , /by

 

Calling members! We want YOUR pictures and experiences. Message or e-mail us your pictures from the 2018-19 season for a chance to be featured in the next print newsletter! If you want a quick quote or story of a fun experience or moment, please send us those too! please e-mail all content to editor@psia-w.org.

See last year’s collage here:

The 2019 Board Of Directors Results

/in , , /by

Thank you everyone who voted in our Board of Directors election. Your opinion matters, and the election results are in! Please welcome our new and returning members of the board!

New to the Board

 

Jaime Marso-Tanner

PSIA Level 2, June Mountain Ski School Director

I’d like to be one of those individuals that not only works to maintain the high standards and quality performance that has always been associated with PSIA-AASI but I’d also like to work to improve the organization from within.  From my association with PSIA-AASI I have learned that no matter how skilled you are, there is always room for improvement; this philosophy also holds true for organizations.

Who I am

I am a wife and mother. I run the June Mountain Ski and Snowboard School. I’m very proud to have recently received my Level 3 Alpine Ski. I taught geology and oceanography for 9 years. I am a member of Mammoth Lakes CERT.  I’m a certified EMT and volunteer my services.

Volunteering is part of who I am. I’m happiest when I can share my knowledge, skills, and passion for skiing with others. It’s a personal goal of mine to bring the joy of skiing to others while also instilling respect and love for the environment.

What I can do for PSIA-AASI:  

I’ve worked on the linkage membership committee board for 2 years. I’m interested in educational collaboration on the national level and consistency between all divisions. I want to present some fresh ideas and ways to help PSIA-AASI grow and evolve into an even more impressive organization. Once I am involved, I commit myself fully.

And most importantly, I know how to listen.

 

Returning:

Greg Lyons

PSIA Level 3, Children’s Specialist 2, Cross Country Level 2, Telemark Level 2, Current PSIA-AASI Western Division Board of Directors – President

As a full-time instructor for 31 years at Heavenly, I strive to create a safe, enjoyable lesson that includes making sure the guest feels valued, confident, internally motivated, passionate for their snowsport and wanting to return for future lessons.  As I work to improve at this, I have been honored to earn “the Most Requested Instructor at Heavenly” three times.

I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from Oregon State University

It has been an honor to be President of PSIA-AASI-W for the last three years. I believe my years of experience, working with the board, its committees, the PSIA-AASI-W staff, and the membership make me uniquely qualified to continue to serve on your PSIA-AASI-W Board of Directors.

I’d like to continue our efforts to provide educational opportunities that our membership wants to participate in: on snow clinics, in-door clinics, online training, and other programs—all with the goal of allowing you, our members, to succeed as professional instructors.

I believe PSIA/AASI-W needs to develop long term strategies and policies that provide an exceptional experience to our members today as well as the framework for an exceptional experience for our members and organization in the future.

I will advocate for PSIA/AASI-W to provide exceptional training to its present and future leaders.  Our Board of Directors, office staff, Member School Directors, Education Staff, and Resort Trainers need to be provided exceptional training.  

 

Lea Logal

AASI Level 3, Freestyle Level 2, Children’s Specialist 2, PSIA Level 1, AASI Ed Staff, Bear Mountain Resort Training Manager, Current PSIA-AASI Board of Directors – Publicity Chair

Hello Western Division Membership. I have spent three years serving on the Western Division Board of Directors as the Publicity Chair. In that time I have worked for the membership to help provide the best experience in both educational and certification events possible. I would love to continue my service with the Board and continue to help grow the Western Division.

Having been a proud member of the Western Division since I started in this industry in 2004; I have worked hard to become an examiner and part of the AASI Western Division Snowboard leadership. It is important for me to see this division continue to innovate and inspire in the snowsports industry.

Currently, I am working for Big Bear Mountain Resort as the Ski and Ride School Training Manager. It has been incredible to move down to Southern California and be able to positively impact and influence a whole new base of dedicated and passionate snowsports professionals.

Growing the value of membership in the west through our premier events, promoting interaction and connection between our members, while listening and taking action on our member’s constructive feedback will keep the Western Division leading the way.

 

Blaine Lomen

PSIA Level 3, AASI Level 2, Children’s Specialist 1, Alpine Ed Staff Team Emeritus, Current Western Division Board of Directors – Ed Foundation Chair

I have been an instructor, trainer, supervisor, assistant director and most recently a director of a ski and snowboard school, giving me a broad range of knowledge and experience in our industry. Within our division, I have been an examiner and on the Board in many different positions bringing past experience and understanding of our culture and membership.

As a Board member for the last three years, I have been the representative to our Education Foundation Board also where I’m the Vice President. If you have followed the Foundation, you have witnessed the growth and great strides in communicating with the membership.

I am also on the Finance Committees of both Boards. Though pouring over the finances of the organizations is neither fun or “sexy” it is important to keep tabs on where we are month to month and how your money is being spent/allocated.

I understand the big picture as well as the finer details of our path and mission. I think the strengths of both the Education Foundation and PSIA-W Boards is the fact that we are very focused on how we can serve the membership better and more efficiently and I am dedicated to seeing that continue.

A Special Spring Convention Clinic for a cause

/in , , /by

 

New at the 2019 PSIA-W Convention is an Education Foundation Legends Clinic to benefit our Foundation. The three-hour clinic has a $25 premium on it which is a direct donation to our PSIA/AASI-W Education Foundation. In addition, the Western Division will donate another $25 to make a total donation of $50 on your behalf.

The Legends Clinic will be hosted by experienced clinicians John Armstrong, Jack Copeland and Blaine Lomen. We will do a sun-related tour of Mammoth Mountain and discuss recent technique developments and how they relate to the Good Old Days! Big emphasis on cruising, grins and giggles. Available Friday and Saturday morning at Convention – see you there, and thank you for helping our Foundation. Last year, $6,000 was awarded to 20 members to help them with their educational and certification goals.”

Blaine Lomen

Jack Copeland

These two clinics are limited to 24 participants per morning.

If you have already signed up for Convention and want to join one or both of the clinics, contact the office at 530-587-7642 or info@psia-w.org to be added to the list.

See the full Convention guide, clinic descriptions, schedule, and more in our Spring 2019 Edge Newsletter Here!

 

 

Sign up for Spring Convention and this clinic here

 

Adventure Ski and Snowboard School FOR SALE

/in , , , /by

This is your chance to own a ski and snowboard school!

Make $75-100,000 working 6 months a year teaching skiing & snowboarding near the beach in Encinitas, California.

Since 1977, for over 40 years since I was 23 years old, my SnowSports Simulator business has allowed me to purchase (and in 7 years will pay off) a nearly million dollar home three minutes from Moonlght Beach in Encinitas CA, raise and support a family, ski most of April and then travel the world for 2 to 3 months most summers, invest in real estate and stock markets and accumulate a sizable retirement account, and from October thru March help people from all over the world learn, improve, and get in shape for snow sports that I love.

I’m looking for someone that sees this opportunity to take my business over. You could double the income stated above if you have half the energy and enthusiasm I did in my early years I ran the school. You’re buying a 40+ year established business and a great lifestyle of working for 6 months and traveling or working elsewhere for six months of the year.

At 60 something years old, the time is near for me to pass the torch. I am not in a rush as I still love what I do, but I’d like to do it with/for someone else while I still can to help them learn the ropes.

I will work with and train the new owner to be able to be successful at continuing the legacy I established over 40 years ago and want to see continue for at least the next 40 years…

Price for turnkey established business is $400k. Serious inquiries only please. For the qualified right person I might be willing to accept a sizable down payment and carry the balance of the loan with terms TBD.

www.adventureski.com

Contact kent@adventureski.com if this is something you are interested in!

Why Travel? Story From an International Instructor

/in , , , /by

Kurt and his group

A year ago, Kurt McMahon from Australia wouldn’t imagine he’d be where he is now. After graduating from high school, Kurt embarked on a more conventional route and enrolled at a university. Kurt loved studying and university life, but he had a burning desire to explore and see the world. A year into a physiotherapy degree, Kurt decided that if he was going to go traveling, it needed to happen now. So, after completing his first year of study, he packed his bags and jumped on a plane destined for the USA.

Kurt chose to become a ski instructor at Northstar Ski Resort located at the beautiful Lake Tahoe in the USA. After visiting the nearby Squaw Valley as a young kid on a family ski holiday, Kurt always dreamed over returning to Lake Tahoe one day and becoming a snowboard instructor.

Kurt arrived at Northstar and began training almost immediately. Training under some of the best instructors in the world, there was no room for ego and Kurt took in all the advice he could from his trainers. Coming from a background of snowboarding only once a year and straight into three weeks of full-on training, Kurt’s riding improved immensely.

“The biggest thing for me was dropping any ego I had at the door and taking on any advice from these guys as they were the ones who have been doing it for more than 20 years!“

Kurt quickly settled into his new life at Northstar, but it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Being 18 and away from home for the first time, one of the biggest challenges Kurt faced was finding accommodation for the season. “Finding the right house that can suit your needs and is in the right location is maybe [one of the biggest challenges] that we’ve faced in our lives to date.”

Kurt quickly figured out that the best way to overcome this was to find a bunch of people he got along with and patiently wait for the right place to come along. And his advice for anyone else in a similar boat? “Find a bunch of people you get on with and take time trying to find your accommodation and make sure you have plenty of options in case one doesn’t work out.”

The best part of Kurt’s EA course was the people he met along the way. During the six months, he made friends from all over the world, including Germany, England, and New Zealand. His favorite place to hang out off the slopes was at a pizza joint called Rubicon’s where he learned the American tradition of adding ranch dressing to pizza. “My mates and I loved coming here after a big day at work, and it was a highlight at the end of the working week! Being an Aussie, I have never really grown up with ranch on my pizza, but I don’t think I will be able to let it go once I return home.”

When training had finished, Kurt began work immediately as an instructor and quickly fell in love with his new role. “There’s a reason it’s widely known as one of the best jobs on the planet. You’re sharing your passion for the sport with others, and at the end of the day, they go home stoked and so do you because you get to do it all again tomorrow! There’s nothing quite like it.”

After completing his EA instructor course, and working his first winter season, Kurt decided he wasn’t ready to return to Australia just yet. At the end of his season at Northstar, Kurt travelled down the East Coast of the USA with a friend he met on his EA course. He then headed back to the West Coast and is now living and working in Los Angeles, California.

While Kurt plans on joining the yachting industry next year, he’s excited to do another winter season instructing too. “It was honestly something that I will remember all my life. I would encourage anybody else to get out there and give it a crack. You’ll meet people from all over the world, and you get to do what you love every day.”

Kurt’s advice for anyone considering a ski or snowboard instructor internship or a gap year abroad? “Keep traveling, don’t waste away your late teens and 20s sitting at an office. Keep doing what makes you happy!”

This content was originally published in September 2018 at https://easkiandsnowboard.com/resources/latest-news/instructor-story-kurt-mcmahon/