Last Updated30 October 2024

A variety of adaptive equipment is available both commercially and through Kiwi ingenuity and adaptation. Standard equipment is often customised to fit individual needs, with duct tape and padding being some of the most common modifications.

Use adaptive equipment with the goal of utilising the minimum amount necessary to help the student achieve their goals. The equipment should be continually assessed throughout the learning process, with adjustments and changes made as needed.

Mono-Ski Reference Guide

WHAT it is

A seat mounted on a ski or skis through a shock absorbing frame. Outriggers are used for balance. Mono-skis come in a wide range of designs and performance levels suiting different skiers. Most have a lift loading mechanism and should all have a lift evacuation system and lift safety line fitted. If a higher level of support is needed a high back seat with additional strapping should be used.

WHY we use it

A mono-ski offers full freedom for anyone that has good arm strength but may struggle with stand up skiing.

HOW we set it up

Equipment set up is critical and many issues a student might have often come back to incorrect set up.

Bucket Size: Sit ski seats come in different sizes, and with different back rest heights. Its important to ensure the guest is in the correct size seat with enough support to reach their goals. Sometimes we are limited in the sizes we have so foam may be used to pack around the guests to ensure they have the best fit in their sit ski.

Ski Centre: The dowel test is used to find a centred position for the skier and frame on the ski. With the student strapped in the ski place a dowel or a tennis ball under the boot sole centre of the ski. The mono-ski should be roughly balanced over the dowel/ball when the skier is in their centred stance. If not, adjust the placement of the frame on the ski and retest. If a skier has difficulty moving forward the position of the dowel can be moved slightly forward of the boot sole centre for the test. On snow, if the skier is over-rotating their turns the seat may be set up too far forward. If they are having difficulty pressuring the front of the ski then the seat may be too far back on the ski. Also check the track the ski leaves on flat snow while straight running to ascertain whether the skier is laterally centred in the seat.

Shock Absorbers (L2): These can be adjusted for preload and rebound. The preload determines the stiffness and amount of travel in the shock and is usually adjusted by screwing a ring up or down at the top of the spring. Do this when there is no load on the spring. The correct setting will allow the shock to have the maximum amount of travel without bottoming out over rough terrain. Rebound determines the amount of “bounce” the shock has. If this is too slow it will be more difficult to transition from one turn to the next, if it is too high and the ski will bounce too much when rapid pressure is applied.