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This digitised manual is a guideline and source of reference for the SBINZ certification system, and the teaching of snowboarding in general. It is by no means the only way to teach snowboarding and offers a select number of examples.

The concepts and progressions within this manual are tried and tested, and have been developed over many years. They have been used by thousands of instructors both within New Zealand and around the world.

Indicators and icons are used throughout this manual to identify the type of content or the point at which a concept is first introduced…

Certification Indicators

The indicators below are used to identify the first point within the education pathway that a particular concept is introduced. These concepts are then carried through to the following levels of certification and often explored in more detail.

Note that all content from Level One upwards is considered relevant for the Trainer’s Certification. Further concepts that are not included within this manual are also explored at that stage of development.

Level One Certification

Level Two Certification

Level Three Certification

Children’s Teaching Certification

Terrain Park Certification

Trainer’s Certification and Coaching Certification

Progression Icons

The progression icons below can be used as a quick searching tool to get ideas or find specific content quickly.

What, Why, How – An example verbal description for how to present a task.

Movement & Board Performance – To create a more detailed understanding for instructors.

Terrain & Group Management – Methods and tips for managing your students.

Corrective Teaching – Common inefficiencies and some simple corrective steps.

Self Reflection – Questions to ask yourself as the instructor.

This is a log to record the sections of the Snowboard E-Manual that have been updated each year.

2022 – New Snowboard E-Manual

The majority of content from the previous 2017 printed manual was refreshed and updated, with some major new concepts in Section A including:
Activity-Analyse-Adapt Teaching Cycle
Stages of Skill Acquisition
Distributed Learning & Practice
Instructing vs Coaching & Training
Seek-Give-Seek Feedback
Judgers vs Learners

2023 – Updates to Section B

Female Biomechanics & Anatomy
Active Stance

2025 – Updates and new content to Section A

Self Efficacy
Pacing of information
Question-based Learning
Tone of Voice
Body Language
Intention & Adapting Delivery Method
The Matching Principle
Intro to Feedback
Developing Feedback
Seek-Give-Seek Feedback

 

 

This version of the SBINZ manual was written by Paul Phillip, Ollie Midgley, Keith Stubbs, Rich Waldie, Jamie Middleton and Luke Gillet.

Additional contributions from Leo Carey, Tony Macri and Claire Dooney. Thank you to all those who have come before and contributed to the history of SBINZ.

Te Reo Māori contributions from Mark Perana and Georgina Cleave.

Layout and editing by Keith Stubbs, David Pearse and Alex Kerr.

Imagery and Video

Teaching photography by Kahli Hindmarsh and Keith Stubbs.

Sequence images and technical riding from Richie Johnston, Guy McCully, Jamie Middleton, David Pearse, Claire Dooney, Greg Samson, Rich Waldie, James Howe, Tony Macri and Paul Phillip; shot and edited by Keith Stubbs and Richie Johnston.

Additional photography from Ricky Otaki, Cardrona Alpine Resort and other SBINZ trainer’s/staff/members.

About SBINZ

Snowboard Instruction New Zealand is responsible for the education and certification for snowboard instructing throughout New Zealand.

First established in 1992 under a different name, SBINZ quickly joined with the New Zealand Ski Instructors’ Association to create the New Zealand Snowsports Instructors’ Alliance (NZSIA). SBINZ is one of the four divisions within the NZSIA and has become an internationally-recognised educational body that is renowned for producing professional, knowledgeable instructors, with the capabilities to teach and ride at very high standards.

Driven by a Course Manager and a Technical Committee, the Snowboard Division is responsible for all snowboard course content and delivery, and the direction of snowboard teaching and coaching throughout New Zealand.

Through prominent international relationships, SBINZ has established a qualification framework that not only caters to our distinct New Zealand environment, but also prepares our instructors to teach in the many diverse cultures and conditions that we encounter around the world.

Snowboard Certification Pathway

Teaser Imagery