Fostering, July 06 promoting and developing the interests of English skiers and snowboarders £2.50 England Alpine Championships results: 6-8 SNOWSPORT ENGLAND ANNUAL MEETING - PAGE 5 2 THE piste July 06 Council backs SnOasis Mid Suffolk District Council has approved the application to build a £350 million winter sports leisure resort near Ipswich in Suffolk. The decision follows a five-year preparation period in which developer Onslow Suffolk Ltd has invested more than £12 million in exploring the viability, economic impact, landmark design and environmental acceptance of the project. The planning application will now be considered by the Government Office for East of England. “Climbing Mount Everest is an ambition I am now unable to dream of, but SnOasis has been a challenge of very similar proportions,” said Godfrey Spanner, Onslow Suffolk chief executive. I www.snoasis.co.uk UK cross-country action steps up Ian Ballentine reports on cross-country skiing opportunities around England There’s never been a better time members to the country's ski to get into cross-country skiing. clubs. The London Region The last couple of years have Nordic Ski Club this year seen the establishment of two celebrates its 25th anniversary, new ski clubs, while other and introduces for the first time initiatives are making it far a five-race rollerski series. easier to get involved in this Taking place throughout the type of skiing, for recreation summer, this series or sport. complements their rollerski The Midlands Nordic Ski Club courses and tours. has been set up, which is based Another exciting development at the Tamworth Snowdome. is the recent establishment of The Snowdome offers several the Wessex Biathlon and Nordic cross-country ski sessions a Ski Club. This plans to be week on real snow, and is the England's first civilian biathlon only such facility in the country. club, and comes hot on the heels It has attracted wide interest, of Scotland's successful with skiers from across the Cairngorm Biathlon and Nordic country coming along and even Ski Club, which was set up last taking part in sprint races. year. Another initiative is The Other clubs yet to announce Rollerski Co, which offers their summer schedules include “rollerski” sessions in London's the ever-popular Manchester parks and in Windsor. They do and Yorkshire Dales ski clubs, several lessons and courses a which will again be running week, and have been bringing rollerski tours and courses. this form of cross-country ski So, wherever you live in the training to a whole new UK, and whatever your interest audience. in skiing – be it touring, racing or These initiatives have just improving your technique increased interest in the sport, over the summer – there should and have been bringing new be something to suit everyone. WEBSITEhits www.escnordic.org.uk ESC nordic website www.snowdome.co.uk Tamworth Snowdome www.rollerski.co.uk Rollerski classes and courses in London, also race information www.wessexbiathlon.org Wessex Biathlon & Nordic Ski Club www.londonnordic.org.uk London Nordic Ski Club July 06 THE piste 3 All hail James, King of the BRITS Top snowboarder James Thorne, was crowned King of the Orange Air Time at the Orange BRITS, held in Laax, Switzerland. James jumped in from a total height of 19 metres – and beat off stiff competition from Nate Kern and Rob Taylor, who both landed their drop from a height of eight metres above the colossal nine metre quarterpipe, but both fell on nine metres. From the top: Norfolk Ski Orange Air Time was a free-fall competition that witnessed Club’s James Thorne in British skiers and snowboarders jump from a crane on to a winning action at the recent snow quarterpipe. Orange BRITS. Eight of UK’s top snow sports freestylers – six snowboarders and Pictures: two skiers – were selected to jump NATHAN GALLAGHER from the platform suspended high above a free-standing snow quarterpipe (curved landing area). Starting at the qualifying height of five metres above the quarterpipe, the competitors – including Jenny Jones, Scott McMorris, Gary Greenshields, Andy Bennet and Tyler Chorlton – jumped one by one, until all competitors bar James Thorne had either fallen or bowed out. After landing his new European record, 24-year-old James said: “It’s pretty scary when you are up there, and looking down, the coping seems very far away. “Once you are there though, you just prepare and go for it. I was very stoked to land it. What a way to end the Orange BRITS!” The Orange Air Time event took place in front of hundreds of spectators in the heart of Laax, and was one of the biggest attractions at this year’s event. 4 THE piste July 06 TRAININGcourses CLUB INSTRUCTOR TRAINING COURSES (2 DAYS) our Instructors and Coaches, all qualified persons are required to attend 30 Sept - 1st Oct - Ski Rossendale, Rawtenstall, Lancashire (01706 Refresher Courses. Instructors may attend these as often as they wish but 226457). This course will be held predominately outdoors and on skis, and must attend at least once every three years in order to RE-VALIDATE their will address: qualification. These courses enable Instructors to clarify their own views I Safety considerations and keep up to date with Snowsport England's current policies. All I Basic principles of instructing qualifications are valid for a period of 3 years. I Examples of instructional activities I Examples of teaching methods. ARTIFICIAL SNOWBOARD INSTRUCTOR COURSES ( 5 DAYS) Emphasis throughout the course will be the SAFE introduction of 4-5 Nov / 10-12 Nov - Ski Rossendale, Rawtenstall, Lancashire (01706 beginners to skiing on artificial slopes. 226457) Contact: Peter Hinde. A COURSE WORKBOOK IS SUPPLIED TO EACH CANDIDATE ON THE FIRST Ski Centres can organise these courses therefore either contact your DAY TOGETHER WITH RELEVANT PAPERS AND CRB FORMS. local Ski Centre to enquire if they are holding a course or check the Snowsport England website. All qualifications are valid for a period of 3 ASSESSMENT FOR THE CLUB INSTRUCTOR AWARD ( 1 DAY) years. A 1 day assessment for candidates completing Level 1 to become Club ASSI COURSE - WEEKENDER (OVER 2 WEEKENDS Instructors. The award is aimed at skiers who wish to introduce beginners PLUS 1 ASSESSMENT DAY) to skiing at their local ski centre or within their local ski club. An alternative to the present method of becoming an Artificial Slope Ski ALL CANDIDATES SHOULD BE CRB CHECKED BY THE TIME THEY Instructor. Two consecutive weekend courses (plus one day assessment) COMPLETE THEIR CI ASSESSMENT. IF THEY HAVE NOT BEEN CHECKED which takes you straight to ASSI once 20 hours supervised instruction has THEN THE CANDIDATE CANNOT HOLD THEIR CLUB INSTRUCTOR LICENCE been completed. UNTIL A CHECK HAS BEEN COMPLETED. Ski Centres can organise these courses therefore either contact your local Ski Centre to enquire if they are holding a course. Alternatively phone ASSI TRAINING COURSES (2 DAYS) Snowsport England (0121 501 2314) to see if they have any dates. 7-8 Oct - Norfolk Ski Club, Trowse, Norfolk (01603 662781). 14-15 Oct - Ski Rossendale, Rawtenstall, Lancashire (01706 226457) DISABILITIES AWARENESS COURSE 4-5 Nov - Gloucester Ski & Snowboard Centre (08702 400375). This course will take place predominately outdoors and will address: This course is open to all Club Instructors, Snr Club Instructors, ASSIs I Revision of teaching methods and Coaches who wish to be involved in teaching courses for skiers with I Revision of safety factors disabilities. Call 0121 501 2314. I Investigation of, and training in, the essential elements of skiing which link ploughing and parallel skiing ARTIFICIAL SLOPE PERFORMANCE COACH AWARD (ASPC) - I This course also serves to fefresh the Club Instructor Award for a period TRAINING AND ASSESSMENT of 3 years and is a prerequisite for those wishing to complete the ASSI This training and assessment course is open to aspiring Coaches who Award. wish to coach club members in competitive skiing. The Artificial Slope A COURSE WORKBOOK IS SUPPLIED TO EACH CANDIDATE ON THE FIRST Performance Coach qualification will authorise the holder to coach on DAY TOGETHER WITH RELEVANT PAPERS. artificial slopes within the UK according to the Coaches Protocol and Codes of Practice. It does not authorise the holder to teach beginners to ski. For ASSI EXAMINATION (1 DAY EXAMINATION) full details please refer to the booklet “How Do I Become A Coach?" 16 Sept - Gosling Ski Centre, Welwyn Garden City, Herts (0121 501 2314) Ski Centres can organise these courses therefore either contact your 7 Oct - Sunderland Ski Centre, Silksworth Sports Complex, Tyne & Wear local Ski Centre to enquire if they are holding a course. Alternatively phone (0121 501 2314) Snowsport England to see if they have any dates. 8 Oct - Ski Rossendale, Rossendale, Lancs (0121 501 2314) 25 Nov - Gosling Ski Centre, Welwyn Garden City, Herts (0121 501 2314). ASPC REVALIDATION COURSE This examination (Part II Assessment) will take place predominately 24 Sept - Telford Ski Centre (0121 501 2314) outdoors on skis, where the appointed examiners will ask to see: Ski Centres can organise these courses therefore either contact your I Log book records (if your log book does not contain the current date local Ski Centre to enquire if they are holding a course. Alternatively phone stamp you will not be allowed to attend this course) Snowsport England to see if they have any dates. I Practical illustrations of personal skill showing understanding of the principles which underpin skilful skiing APC 1 - UPGRADE COURSE I The candidate’s ability to observe peers’ performances and provide 0121 501 2314 feedback which serves to improve their performances of the task which has These courses are for candidates who are registered as ASPCs or ASSIs been set by the examiners.