October 16, 2011 (Silver Star, BC) – Searching for Mr. (Miss) Right…”My coach is such a great skier. And he is really patient too. But I just don’t feel like I’m improving or am being challenged enough. Is there something wrong with me…?”
Sleepless in Silver Star

Joking aside, reading  a comment such as the one above is all too common. As a ski coach/pro for the past 27 years, it has been my experience that finding a great ski coach is always a challenge.  When you are putting your physical wellbeing, trust and ego into the hands of someone, you don’t want to have hit or miss results.

Inflated expectations, limited time and weather can all play a part in not reaching the goals you hoped to achieve at a training session. However, the most common culprit of skiers being ambivalent about their coaching experience is not the skier’s inability to understand what is being said by their coach. Rather, it’s often the coach not recognizing the different  learning styles and inspiration triggers of their athletesŠ…

As the saying goes “if the skier isn’t learning then the coach isn’t coaching…..”

Ski coaches who can recognize a skier’s individual learning style along with their inspiration triggers can create a very positive training environment.  This will allow them to have a number of individual themes going on at the same time within a group setting. These themes or “learning languages” which enlightened coaches can speak are actually targeted towards specific individuals within the group of learners.  The five most common “learning languages” are: visual; directive; logical; practical; verbal. These are the languages or themes which will cater to a student who learns by either watching, doing, thinking, feeling or listening. When a coach can identify the language that makes most sense to their athlete, a coach is truly coaching and their skier is improving and inspired.

The next time you are working with a coach who is new to you, let him or her know which learning style(s) you believe works best for you!
Cheers,
Guy Paulsen, Nordic Manager

Time is starting to run out! Book your Silver Star Mountain Cross Country Camp between now and October 31 and receive 20% off your on-mountain accommodation. Now that’s something to smile about.

Did you know? Silver Star Cross Country Camps incorporate yoga / stretching sessions in our camps given by fitness expert Ms. Claudia Sorenson. Two more great reasons to come to our camps this fall.

For more information and to book your Silver Star Cross Country Ski Camp please contact our Central Reservations at info@skisilverstar.com / 1-800-663-4431 / 250-558-6083