The Water Ski Instructor

Level 1 Instructor Self-Study Course USA Water Ski Headquarters 1251 Holy Cow Rd. Polk City, Florida, 33868-8200 Phone (863) 324-4341 • Fax (863) 325-8259 2 Level 1 Water Ski Instructor Certification Self-Study Course USA Water Ski Appreciates your interest in its Water Ski Instructor Certification Program. Thanks for investing in the future of the sport of water skiing by becoming a certified water ski instructor. Instructor certification is a method of educating an individual with consistent teaching methods for water skiing and also recognizing the knowledge and experience of each instructor. USA Water Ski's Instructor Certification Program has been created with guidance and funding from the United States Olympic Committee, and with assistance from the Canadian Water Ski Federation. USA Water Ski only includes tried and tested water ski teaching methods in its water ski instructor certification program. These water ski teaching methods also have been developed with safety and the well-being of a student in mind. This course booklet includes the self-study, open-book written evaluation that is to be used with the Level 1 Water Ski Instructor Manual. Complete the multiple choice evaluation and return the answer page to USA Water Ski Headquarters. Allow USA Water Ski at least two weeks to grade your written evaluation. If you successfully complete the written evaluation, USA Water Ski will return a copy of your answer page and a Wallet card recognizing your certification as a Level 1 Water Ski Instructor. You must be an Active member of USA Water Ski to be eligible to earn a Level 1 Water Ski Instructor certification. To maintain the rating, you must also annually renew your Active membership in USA Water Ski. A membership renewal form will automatically be sent to you during the fall of each year. If an individual fails to renew his Active membership for one or more years, the individual must pay a $25 fee to be reinstated as a Level 1 water ski instructor. Once again, USA Water Ski appreciates your interest in its Water ski Instructor Certification Program. Good luck with the written evaluation! 3 Level 1 Certification Level 1 is an introduction to the sport of water skiing and the first rung in the ladder of USA Water Ski's Instructor Certification Program. Level 1 introduces techniques for teaching beginning skills for two-ski, one ski, trick skis, the wakeboard, kneeboard and barefoot skiing. Level 1 also addresses water ski safety, beginning boat driving techniques and equipment selection. Level 1 teaching techniques are progressive. Level 1 instructors should encourage students to continue developing their skills at the next level. Manual & Written Evaluation USA Water Ski's Level 1 Water Ski Instructors Manual is a resource tool for the instructor. The manual provides specific information that will prepare an instructor to: • Teach beginning water ski techniques safely • Select safe and appropriate beginning water ski equipment • Safely operate a towboat while using driving techniques specific to water skiing • Instruct beginning two-ski techniques • Teach beginning one-ski techniques, including various start methods • Instruct beginning tricks skiing, including maneuvers such as 180- and 360 degree turns • Instruct beginning wakeboarding, including wake jumping, basic rotation, grabs and introduction to tricks • Instruct beginning kneeboarding, including maneuvers such as 180- and 360 degree turns • Teach beginning barefooting, including various start methods and teaching techniques Self-Study Course The purpose of this open-book, written evaluation is to provide individuals with an understanding of the techniques for teaching beginning water ski skills. After completing the evaluation, a participant should be able to plan and conduct a water ski lesson for a beginner. Assignment Read the Level 1 Manual and then complete the multiple choice questions for that section. Indicate your answers by coloring in the appropriate circle on the level 1 written evaluation answer page. After completing the written evaluation, return the Level 1 Answer Page to USA Water Ski Headquarters to be graded. Certification Upon successful completion, USA Water Ski will provide a wallet card as proof of Level 1 instructor certification. Maintaining Level 1 Certification To maintain Level 1 Water Ski Instructor certification, an individual must annually renew his USA Water Ski Active membership. An individual who fails to renew his Active membership will lose his Level 1 Water Ski Instructor rating. Level 2 Certification To be considered for Level 2 Water Ski Instructor certification, an individual must meet all Level 1 certification requirements. 4 Level 1 Instructor Self-Study Course Written Evaluation 5 Level One Instructor's Self Study Test Chapter 1 - Water Skiing Safety 1. Of the 15 Water Skier's Safety codes, which two would you consider the most important? (a) always wear a flotation device and have an observer in the towboat (b) never ski directly in front of another boat and do not ski near docks and pilings (c) always ski during daylight hours and never ski when fatigued (d) all of the above 2. What verbal signals does a skier use to communicate to the driver that he is ready to start? (a) "give it all you have!" (b) "In gear!" "Hit It!" (c) "All Right, I am ready to ski" (d) all of the above 3. Which of the following are considered part of the seven skier hand signals? (a) speed up and slow down signals (b) turn the boat around and OK signals (c) I'm OK after a fall signal (d) all of the above 4. What are the ABC's of basic life support? (a) clear and maintain an adequate airway (b) ensure that the injured skier is breathing (c) check for a pulse to make sure that the skier 's blood is circulating (d) all of the above 5. After a fall, what are the correct safety procedures if a skier is unable to climb into the boat without or with little assistance? (a) passively haul the skier over the side and into the boat (b) leave the skier in the water and go for help (c) float the skier to shore supported in a semi-recumbent position (d) encourage the skier to swim to shore on his own 6. What apparatus should be used to lift an injured skier out of the water? (a) a back board (b) a pair of skis (c) flat plank of wood (d) your arms supporting the skier 7. After reading the Safety Section, what are the most common water ski-related injuries? (a) back and neck (b) bruises, scrapes and rope burn (c) shoulder and arm (d) all of the above 6 Chapter 2 - Boat Driving And Site Safety 1. Who is ultimately responsible for the safety of the skier? (a) instructor (b) skier himself (c) boat driver (d) all of the above 2. What is the ideal ski area? (a) any body of water deep enough for a boat (b) aproximately 2,000 to 2,400 feet in length and 250 to 300 feet wide (c) any body of water as long as a boat can stay 100 feet from shore (d) all of the above 3. Which of the following items should a towboat be equipped with? (a) paddles and bailing can (b) fire extinguisher (c) gas (d) all of the above 4. What are the primary responsibilities of the observer? (a) keeping the driver informed of the skier's progress (b) keeping the driver informed of the skier's path (c) assist the driver with being aware of possible safety hazards (d) all of the above 5. Overlap is what? (a) when the driver looks back and watches the skier take off out of the water (b) when the observer tells the driver how to pull the skier up on the start (c) when the observer watches front and side and the driver watches the skiers start (d) all of the above 6. What are the two acceptable boat patterns used for towing beginner skiers? (a) figure eight pattern and small circle patterns (b) large loop pattern and a dumbbell pattern (c) straight long passes and tight turns on the ends (d) all of the above 7. When picking up a fallen skier, the driver should do what? (a) watch to see if the skier gives the O.K. signal (b) approach the skier at idling speed (c) beware of the winds and currents of the water (d) all of the above 7 8. As a boat driver, what should you do when landing a skier? (a) reduce the boat speed and approach parallel, far enough away so the skier is free from any obstacles. (b) approach at an angle parallel to the dock, allowing enough speed so the skier can glide (c) swing the skier in on a circle whiplike pattern, allowing the skier to speed to dry land (d) all of the above 9. Which keyhole pickup pattern is correct? (a) (b) (c) (d) the keyhole pattern is not shown Chapter 3 - The Water Ski Instructor 1. Which of the following are important traits that an effective instructor must possess? (a) be sensitive to the feelings and needs of the skiers and respond accordingly (b) know the material to be taught and be effective in detection and correction (c) communicate simply, precisely and effectively with the skier (d) all of the above 2. Which teaching principle should apply to your beginning water ski lesson? (a) tell your student as much information as you can so he feels he has learned something (b) only tell the student information if he asks for it (c) keep your lesson simple while still getting the point across (d) all of the above 3.

Load more