Posted by christofski
Just thought id mention, you are able to go for a level 2 within the same season as your level 1. I even know a few people who got up to 3 in one season.

Overall if you are thinking about taking this course, do it, it isn't really hard and as long as you can make it down the hill with confidence the instructors will most likely do there best to help you out and get you by. For the most part Ive been told if you fail its because of one of two things, you REALLY arnt a stable rider, or you are an asshole lol

Posted by nine.lives

Posted by christofski
Just thought id mention, you are able to go for a level 2 within the same season as your level 1. I even know a few people who got up to 3 in one season.

Overall if you are thinking about taking this course, do it, it isn't really hard and as long as you can make it down the hill with confidence the instructors will most likely do there best to help you out and get you by. For the most part Ive been told if you fail its because of one of two things, you REALLY arnt a stable rider, or you are an asshole lol

 

I think what you're saying is misleading because taking your level 1, 2, 3 isn't only about your riding abilities.  I also saw some people in my group who seemed like pretty good riders fail because their form was less than perfect, and others who failed because they weren't able to balance displaying a concern for safety, good demos, good speaking abilities as well as good observation/interpretation of their "students".

 

Maybe we had a tough evaluator!

 

Posted by christofski

 

That would be the asshole part I mentioned, should have went a bit broader on it I guess lol Maybe you did have a tough evaluator, but I know of more than one person who Id consider a weak rider that passed their level 1. Hell a guy I knew that passed started boarding 4 months before hand. Don't take it as me downgrading your achievements, thats not what I meant by that at all, and sorry if you took it that way. The course itself isn't a cake walk, but any accomplished rider should be able to do it with very little problem.

I am more saying this to encourage others who might be iffy on it to just go try it out then anything, a LOT of people think the course is only for riders who have been around 10+ years, and thats simply not the case.

[Edited by christofski on 12/21/2008 at 5:43 PM]

Posted by nine.lives

Posted by christofski

 

That would be the asshole part I mentioned, should have went a bit broader on it I guess lol Maybe you did have a tough evaluator, but I know of more than one person who Id consider a weak rider that passed their level 1. Hell a guy I knew that passed started boarding 4 months before hand. Don't take it as me downgrading your achievements, thats not what I meant by that at all, and sorry if you took it that way. The course itself isn't a cake walk, but any accomplished rider should be able to do it with very little problem.

I am more saying this to encourage others who might be iffy on it to just go try it out then anything, a LOT of people think the course is only for riders who have been around 10+ years, and thats simply not the case.

[Edited by christofski on 12/21/2008 at 5:43 PM]

 

Fair enough.  I'm sure there are people who slip through the cracks, I don't doubt it.  Not all evaluators are equal...  Mine was also a race coach and therefore REALLY discerning.  

 

I understand you encouraging people to go out and try it and not be afraid... I just don't want people thinking it's something you can breeze through in stereotypical "snowboarder" fashion, without a care in the world...

 

I guess what I just wanted to stress is that if you are a solid rider and willing to put in the effort, your level 1 is definately attainable... if you think it's a walk in the park and you just have to show up, be prepared to fail.