snoWYmonkey
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Litterbug,
I so agree with you and others who have posted about what I assume is empathy. Empathy for the truly body consuming feelings that arise when we are faced with trying to both learn and attempt something challenging.
I broke my ribs the second time up a blue on my snowboard. I just took sailing lessons on a small cat, when I am used to sailing bigger boats. Oh my...I was so gripped, I finally had to tell my instructor to keep it to one thing even if it meant capsizing as my nervous brain was starting to make mush of all the instructions (every one of which was valid I might add).
My point is that too few instructors take lessons in sports or other new activities. It is such a wonderful way to remember how steep a blue might feel, or overwhelming all the instructions might seem.
I sincerely hope that your third try at lessons work out. A couple of tips before your lesson. If you already know what type of learner you are great...share that with the person assigning students to instructors or the sales desk when booking a private. Otherwise, I believe there are free online tests that help you determine if you are a thinker, doer, feeler, seer type of learner.
Also, make sure you tell the person assigning you your instructor exactly what you want and your self rating in terms of aggressiveness on the hill.
Finally, make sure to give the instructor feedback. Examples: can I practice more before me move to the next topic. I am not getting this, can we please move on. I am scared, can we use easier slopes or, please push me by taking me through some easy trees, etc....
It is often hard to gauge exactly how we are doing as each student is so incredibly unique. A quick comment mid lesson can really help us reorient our teaching to meet your expectations. Also recognize that is takes time to improve, especially for the skiers who have more experience.
Another idea is to ask for an instructor with a full certification, or even better if it is a big resort, there might be a DECL (division exam and clinic leader for PSIA) that can teach you. At our area there are many of them and when they are not training us in house, or working for the organization they are teaching lessons just like everyone else. The majority of these clinicians are amazing.
Best of luck with your lesson. It truly is a bit like dating, the chemistry has to be right, and it can take a while to find the right fit.
I so agree with you and others who have posted about what I assume is empathy. Empathy for the truly body consuming feelings that arise when we are faced with trying to both learn and attempt something challenging.
I broke my ribs the second time up a blue on my snowboard. I just took sailing lessons on a small cat, when I am used to sailing bigger boats. Oh my...I was so gripped, I finally had to tell my instructor to keep it to one thing even if it meant capsizing as my nervous brain was starting to make mush of all the instructions (every one of which was valid I might add).
My point is that too few instructors take lessons in sports or other new activities. It is such a wonderful way to remember how steep a blue might feel, or overwhelming all the instructions might seem.
I sincerely hope that your third try at lessons work out. A couple of tips before your lesson. If you already know what type of learner you are great...share that with the person assigning students to instructors or the sales desk when booking a private. Otherwise, I believe there are free online tests that help you determine if you are a thinker, doer, feeler, seer type of learner.
Also, make sure you tell the person assigning you your instructor exactly what you want and your self rating in terms of aggressiveness on the hill.
Finally, make sure to give the instructor feedback. Examples: can I practice more before me move to the next topic. I am not getting this, can we please move on. I am scared, can we use easier slopes or, please push me by taking me through some easy trees, etc....
It is often hard to gauge exactly how we are doing as each student is so incredibly unique. A quick comment mid lesson can really help us reorient our teaching to meet your expectations. Also recognize that is takes time to improve, especially for the skiers who have more experience.
Another idea is to ask for an instructor with a full certification, or even better if it is a big resort, there might be a DECL (division exam and clinic leader for PSIA) that can teach you. At our area there are many of them and when they are not training us in house, or working for the organization they are teaching lessons just like everyone else. The majority of these clinicians are amazing.
Best of luck with your lesson. It truly is a bit like dating, the chemistry has to be right, and it can take a while to find the right fit.