Show Notes
In this episode, hosts Rob Whelan, Jeff Chandler, and Luc Bélanger discuss the recent changes in the minimum age for Level 1 snowboarding certification, now set at 14. They explore the implications of this change, including the benefits of allowing younger individuals to enter the teaching profession earlier. The conversation evolves into the challenges and rewards of building a career in snowboarding, emphasizing the importance of soft skills, community support, and the long-term commitment required to succeed in this field. The hosts share personal anecdotes and practical advice for aspiring instructors, highlighting the significance of mentorship and the value of experience in teaching snowboarding.
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In this episode, we explore the latest updates for the 2026-2027 season and behind-the-scenes work of the Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors, focusing on curriculum development and the collaborative efforts with the National Technical Team. Geneviève Pilotto hosts this episode and along with our panel of guests we dig into the Big Mountain course with Adam Gardner, updates to the Level 3 exam process with Luc Bélanger, a closer look at the refinement of the Level 3 Teaching and Riding Modules with James Hyland and a review of the I.A.C.R.CV model and how it helps shape the assessment grid and marking scales with Jamie Forbes. The season is coming in hot and thanks to the CASI Tech Forces, we're going to be ready!
In this episode, Gen and Rob host John Shelly and Jake Boling who share their journeys into snowboard coaching, the impact of CASI certification and how instructor skills enhance high-end coaching. They discuss terrain adaptation, mental preparation, and the importance of experience in coaching and competing. The episodes concludes on a technical note, diving into the fundamentals of carving, use of terrain terrain as a tool, equipment choices, and coaching philosophies that enhance athlete performance and learning.
In this episode, we pass the mic over to our Program Managers to give a little shine to the winners of the Evaluator of the Year award in each region of Canada. They dig in to a little bit of snowboard chat, naturally, but focus more on what makes these people who they are beyond snowboarding. Enjoy this compilation of 15-20 minute interviews with our top Evaluators from the 2025-2026 season!
In this episode, Jeff and Rob host a discussion with mountain biking coaches Paul Howard and Ross Dunlop from GSMBC. They explore the evolution of mountain bike coaching, the synergy between mountain biking and snowboarding, and innovative tools like Sportsense that are transforming coaching and instruction. They share insights on cross-training between snowboarding and mountain biking, the benefits of seasonal sport switching, and how coaching skills transfer across disciplines. Paul and Ross also discuss the importance of continuous learning and staying active year-round for instructors.
In this episode, we chat with Robert "Le Bob" Joncas about his extensive career in snowboarding, his involvement with CASI and Canada Snowboard and his insights on the future of the sport and the association. We dug into the shaping of the previous strategic plan and how we've used it as a road map for the past three years as well as how it has shaped our direction moving forward with the 2027-2030 Strategic plan.