Skiing with Josh

My names is Josh and I am currently a personal trainer based in Bournemouth working in the Dorset area.
Before I went to University to study Sport Development and Coaching Sciences, I trained in Canada to become a ski instructor. I achieved the following qualifications with ‘best in class’ honours: Level 2 Ski Instructor, Level 1 Snowboard Instructor, and I also got an award for instructing disabled skiers with equipment, such as a sit-ski as well as teaching visually impaired clients. I also completed a performance and racing instructor course to understand some of the techniques and advantages when looking to race!
I love skiing. It is a huge passion of mine and if I could I would be on the slopes every year! I still love coaching and working with people so am always looking to learn and become better in the different sports, which is why I became a personal trainer.
When I started University, I joined the American Football team. I loved the challenge of learning a new sport, as well as the physical and mental challenges of the game. I played American Football for the University Team, the Community Adult Team (Bournemouth Bobcats) as well as the National Championship team (Southampton Solents). Due to tearing my ACL in 2018, I was forced to stop playing for a season, so reverted to coaching whilst I was injured.
As a coach, I like to understand what each individual is looking to achieve. For example, a client may have never skied before and is looking for advice to get the best out of their holiday and stay safe. (I would always recommend a teacher for first timers). Or maybe, a client has been skiing for a good few year and is looking to find some ways to improve. Another direction could be for a client wanting to tackle a new area of the mountain, go off piste or try out the terrain park. There are so many options and I love to find out the individual’s skill and ideals as well as what they want at the end of the lesson!
Different types of teaching:
• When I was teaching in Canada, a typical lesson would be an hour. In that amount of time, I would want the client to spend as much time as possible on the skis practising and repeating techniques, and then using obvious rest breaks/chair lifts for talking and explanation.
• A beginner session is best done in groups and I would recommend a 2-hour slot to get the most of the basics! It is important in beginner session to take time really getting the balance and control on the slopes.
• A half day slot is a great to get the most out of teaching improvers more about technique and then allowing them to practice and have feedback on their progress. It is a good amount of time to allow lots of runs in, as well as time to explain and demonstrate new skills.
• Full day lessons are normally done with groups of children, families and beginners, and would include a morning session, a lunch break and an afternoon session. These are super fun and it is so rewarding to see a group learn whilst having fun. It is also great to see them getting on and making friendships through the sessions.

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