Snowboarding instructor courses.

M

Mrs. Doyle

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Hello All,

Has anyone on AAM any experience of a snowboarding instructor training course? My son is considering doing an 11 week course during the summer in New Zealand. It is very expensive but he is adamant that he wants to go ahead and throw caution to the wind. He hopes to make a career out of it but we (parents) certainly have doubts about it.

Any advice or experiences?

Thanks.
 
Da baby brother is a pro snowboard instructor. I know he spent year or so in New Zealand learning the trade, I am fairly sure he self financed any training costs and I don't remember hearing that it was expensive. After that he alternated between the USA and Canada, based in Canada now. He used to arrive back in Ireland during the tiger years for a few months off season to earn a few bob. It is a seasonal job, so your son needs to follow the snow or have something to fall back on. He also needs to take into account visa requirements as you can only spend a few years of your life on student work visas. My brother has a degree in a sought after area, so no problems in getting a proper work visa (and proper work!) in Canada.
 
Mrs. Doyle said:
Hello All,

Has anyone on AAM any experience of a snowboarding instructor training course? My son is considering doing an 11 week course during the summer in New Zealand. It is very expensive but he is adamant that he wants to go ahead and throw caution to the wind. He hopes to make a career out of it but we (parents) certainly have doubts about it.
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Is he funding the course himself, or using the Bank of Mum and Dad?
 
Mrs. Doyle said:
Unfortunately for our little beauty the Bank of Mum and Dad doesn't exist :D If he wants something he has to earn it himself.
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Well if he's paying, you should encourage him to go for it, and find a way to work in a free holiday for Mum & Dad along the way.
 
I know a little about ski instructor courses, rather than snow boarding.
The equivalent ski instructor course only gets you to BASI level one or 2 (British Association of Ski Instructors) In order to teach in France for example you need up to BASI level 4 or 5. The standards in countris like Andorra and Australia are lower...ie BASI level 3.

In order to complete the full ski instructor qualification, it would take you a few years and about €10k.

Friends of mine who are ski instructors did 20 winters over 10 years between andorra and australia, but once they had kids they settled in France.

Money is very tight but they have a fantastic quality of life, a beautiful home and overall I am pretty jealous of their lifestyle....even though they don't have a penny.
 
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