MA Anyone?

[Andy Hill]

Hello fellow snow enthusiasts,

Could it be? Could we actually have a snow filled season coming up? Resorts are opening, snow pack is developing, classes are filling,... All good signs of good things to have. And thus, thoughts turn to instructor gatherings. Things are obviously heating up in pre-season clinics and MA groups around. If there is still interest/life in this one, I'm happy to keep the good times flowing. We've lost our wine room, but I can offer another location in Issaquah that can accommodate.

How bout just a simple reply-all to this email? Who'd be interested in starting our MA meetings back up?

Hope all is well with everyone,

Andy

[Hristina Popova]

I'm interested.

Thanks,

Hristina

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[nancy jenkins]

Dear All:

I am interested also.

It might depend on the evening chosen to meet, but I have really enjoyed these MA meetings. I have learned a lot and I like the people!! :>)

Happy Holidays to everyone!!

Sincerely,

Nancy Jenkins

[Faye Mattingley]

Will pass,way to far for me. I always got a lot a great ideas  from this group .Good skiing to you all!

[Karl Johnstone]

I'm interested. Thanks, Karl

Sent from my iPhone

[Martin McGowan]

I'm interested...but day of the week is a factor. Also prefer
alocation closer to town. Thanks Andy the information shared has been
valuable.

[David Gehring]

Thanks Andy,

I'm interested, also, but Issaquah is a bit far from me in Seattle on a weekday evening. Thanks,

Dave Gehring

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone

[Russ Peterson]

Hi Andy and All,

 

Snoqualmie is OPEN! Stevens is now Fully Open! I have heard Crystal is looking good with great coverage up high and no rocks to be found! Mt. Baker of course has been open for a while! SO yes the snow is HERE!

 

Andy has done a great job organizing this MA group (with Kevin's awesome help and all of you who participate) these efforts have inspired us to engage and learn and share together! Thank you all, especially Andy and Kevin! I hope the group continues to meet and prosper!

 

I would like to challenge the Group or those willing/interested, to print off the new National Certification Standards and get to know them. Especially the 5 fundamentals found in the new National Certification Standards. See below

 

Skiing Fundamentals (From the Certification National Standards)

·        Control the relationship of the Center of Mass to the base of support to direct pressure along the length of the skis.

·        Control pressure from ski to ski and direct pressure toward the outside ski.

·        Control edge angles through a combination of inclination and angulation.

·        Control the skis rotation (turning, pivoting, steering) with leg rotation, separate from the upper body.

·        Regulate the magnitude of pressure created through ski/snow interaction.

 

Second challenge: There was a lot of questions/discussion and yes some frustration regarding balance being “dropped as a skill” a while back on the PSIA Open Forum. Below is my reply in which I encouraged those on the Open Forum to read "Forward- the Evolution of the Skills Concept" pages 7-10 and Chapter 1  "Skills Concept – Defining the Skills" pages 15 – 35.

 

I encourage you MA members to read those chapters too. I would be happy to facilitate a Q&A discussion on these topics if anyone is interested?

 

I was wondering if dividing and starting a “North End MA group” would help make it easier for more to participate? Like some of you, Issaquah (or even Bellevue) is a bit of a haul for me to commit to on a regular bases. Given the large geographic area and the 20 plus numbers that were participating in the past (yes I am ignoring last seasonL) Andy and others could keep the “East Side WA-MA group” going and those of us further north could add a north end meeting place? To start out if it is a smaller group of north enders I would be happy to facilitate and host meetings at my home. If anyone is interested or has a better venue idea I am open to ideas? (The downside to my home is I am a Monroe address but closer to Sultan than Monroe. The upside is I won’t have an excuse to skip out on the meeting and we could all chip in and make it a dinner event too! (ie: potluck, open BBQ, or pitch in for pizza, etc..J)   Thoughts???

 

Hi Terry and others frustrated by the perceived loss of our dear friend and companion Balance. When I first heard balance was being removed as a skill, I was admittedly less than enthusiastic. I recommend reading the new technical manual "Forward- the Evolution of the Skills Concept" pages 7-10 it sheds a lot of light on the history of the Skills Concept and the questions and concerns being discussed regarding BERP vs ERP.

 

Here are a few points of interest:

In the Forward of the new Manual on page 8 it says "In the PSIA's 1977 manual, American Teaching Method…the discussion of Ski mechanics was reduced to isolating three basic skills: edging, turning andpressure control." So as it turns out, Balance was added as a "skill" later on, it wasn't in listed as a "skill" originally.

On page 10 it states "With this Manual, the definitions of the skills will return to the original intent of the model, the skills of pressure control, edge control, and rotational control, refer to the action of the skis on the snow."  This is what Tyler Barns mentioned in his post. (BTW: Tyler is a PSIA-NW DCL/Examiner, and is the Assistant Coach of the PSIA-NW Technical Team)

 

Then if you read Chapter 1  "Skills Concept – Defining the Skills" pages 15 – 35 it also sheds even more light on the subject. On page 15 it states four "Objectives" 2 of which specifically reference our dear friend Balance. Also on Page 15 it states "The Skills Concept serves as the technical model of American ski instruction. It is based on the knowledge that 3 skills – rotational control, edge control, and pressure control – are integral to all turns and they are essential for maintaining balance." As you read on to the end of Chapter 1 you will see many more references to balance and the last pages of Chapter 1 (pages 33 and 34) are dedicated to Balance

 

So for me, the more I read and understand the new manual, the skills concept and how it does still include balance, albeit not as a "skill" of the action of the skis on the snow, it is clear balance is still an interracial part of the Skills Concept.

 

The new National Standards are also a great tool and reference. In the National Standards it lists five bullets under "Skiing Fundamentals" common for good skiing. The first one is arguable about fore/aft balance it is also clearly about Pressure Control. The second effects lateral balance but it is also about pressure control ski to ski and toward the outside ski. For those who need to think of balance as a skill try thinking of it as how do I need to manage pressure to maintain balance? If I am out of balance aft, I need to adjust my pressure from the tails of my skis forward to effect balance. If I adjust pressure whether fore, aft or lateral I am adjusting my balance. Then think about how does my use of edge control and rotary control effect balance. If I use abrupt and aggressive upper body rotation it will affect my balance. So using this perspective Balance is more of an outcome of the application of the 3 skills.

 

Skiing Fundamentals (From the Certification National Standards)

·        Control the relationship of the Center of Mass to the base of support to direct pressure along the length of the skis.

·        Control pressure from ski to ski and direct pressure toward the outside ski.

·        Control edge angles through a combination of inclination and angulation.

·        Control the skis rotation (turning, pivoting, steering) with leg rotation, separate from the upper body.

·        Regulate the magnitude of pressure created through ski/snow interaction.

 

Even though I was reluctant at first regarding the perceived disappearance of Balance… (I say the "perceived disappearance" because if you read the manual carefully it is clear that balance has not disappeared at all) personally I have come around completely to support the changes in the manual and the National Standards. I feel it is clearer to speak in terms of the skills of what the skis are doing on the snow and then what body movements and skill blends are happening or need to occur to reach desired outcomes.

 

I think it is great that so many people are discussing and sharing ideas and thinking. That is how we learn. I hope what I have shared was helpful.

 

Thinks snow!

 

Russ Peterson

Level 3, Current DCL, PSIA-NW Board Member and instructor Trainer at Stevens Pass WA.

 

Happy Holidays!

 

Russ Peterson / Broker
DIRECT 206-930-3995  FAX 1-626-603-6461
EMAIL Ru...@PetersonRealtyTeam.com 

 

   Connected to Community

[Andy Hill]

Well with that fireside reading from Russ, perhaps we should take it to the next level....  :)

Seems like 6-10 instructors are interested in keeping this going this season.  I think I sensed that 1/3-1/2 would prefer a different location than Issaquah.   I can offer to host this at my place in Issaquah (SwimLabsNW.com) as it's free and has video equipment available for MA.

Why don't I schedule our first meeting here and see how it accommodates.  I love to see everyone, there's good energy together, and would hate to splinter this group, but perhaps those that need something more northerly can look for a place to use in that area.  Wouldn't hurt to have a couple of these going.  I'll try to get something scheduled after the Holidays.   Monday's and Wednesday's are best for the pools (classes end earlier).

Hope all is well with everyone and you're getting your shopping in....

Andy

 
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   Connected to Community

[jerry.m...@comcast.net]

I Agree...too much traffic


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[Chris Saario]

Wednesday are best for me as the ski school has cert prep meetings on Monday nights.

Chris

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[Lane McLaughlin]

Cool to see the community chatter and get together a out there.  I have no idea when or where I'd meet up but it's cool to still follow the action and know there's opportunity.

Lane

[pohle...@comcast.net]

Hi Andy, thanks for keeping this alive through the tough seasons. I'm overbooked and won't be able to join you this year. Pls keep me on the roster. Cheers! Patty Ohlenroth

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