Last Updated16 May 2023

Getting Stoked on Snowboarding explores the underlying essence of why people snowboard and how to create stoke in your students whilst keeping them safe and maximising fun. Instructors are responsible for introducing hundreds of people to the addiction of snowboarding each year and we play an important role in developing and shaping the sport’s future. The question we should be asking ourselves as instructors is: “How can we help foster and grow this passion in our students?”

Achievement

These are all common phrases that you will hear from adults and/or children who really feel like they have achieved something in your lesson.

Here are some common phrases that you will hear when students DO NOT feel like they have achieved something in your lesson.

The difference between these example comments or phrases usually comes down to personal goals. A good instructor will take the time to establish these goals and make an effort to give individual attention to each person.

It’s important that students feel like their instructor is helping them to achieve their goals and not just giving a stock standard lesson that isn’t personal to the student.

As much as possible, make students aware that everything in the lesson is going to benefit them individually, within their own snowboard progression. This will help to retain them as a snowboarder within a wider industry, not just as your one-time student.

Ako

In Te Reo Māori, the concept of ako encompasses both teaching and learning. It recognises the experience that both teachers and learners bring, and it acknowledges the way that in-depth understanding can grow out of shared learning experiences.

Recognition

Achievement without recognition can be very limiting in its effectiveness. This can take multiple forms…

High-fives, handshakes, woop woops, arms in the air; these are all ways to let a student know when they achieved something. Making students aware of a feeling they get when they do it well is a way of recognising their own, internal achievement. Some people like to compare themselves with others to track their own progress and aim to be the best in their group.

Photos and videos are an extremely effective way of recognising achievement and your students seeing their own goals being met. Simply being less tired at the end of a run can be a big achievement for some people.

Making time for students to take pictures of themselves, and each other, will allow for this. Letting their friend, partner or parents watch them do their last run well is another great form of external recognition for your students.

Achieving the next level of group lesson is a way for students to recognise their progress. Certificates and report cards can be useful to remind kids about the specific skills they’ve achieved. Having children tell their parents about the most fun parts of the lesson gives you the opportunity to discuss their achievements. Social media is a powerful way of earning recognition for achievements.

“If your student achieves their goal during their lesson with you,
they will be more motivated to take another lesson… WITH YOU!”

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