From NHS Nurse to Ski Instructor

Jubilee Sailing Trust Jubilee Sailing Trust Back in August  2018 I agreed to take part in a disability ski holiday with the Jubilee Sailing Trust and The Ski Company to La Moubra, Crans Montana, Switzerland as one of the support buddies for the trip. The Jubilee Sailing Trust is a registered charity who believe people of altered ability should have the same freedom to explore the world, their ability and their potential through adventure as able bodied people. Most adventures are sailing but once a year there is a disability ski holiday. Anybody can volunteer to take part on one of the Jubilee Sailing Trust trips as a buddy (helper). I opted for the ski holiday after becoming involved through The Ski Company having volunteered on a trip through them the previous year. It was whilst looking on The Ski  Company website in the summer that I saw the disability skiing trip. As an NHS nurse and someone training as a ski instructor I felt I would make a good buddy an

In September 2018 I started my training as a ski instructor. At the end of the week long course I found that my short turns were not at the standard required and that I would need another exam. My examiner advised me not to book onto the re-assessment until the problems with my short turns were corrected. I continued with the practice driving to the indoor slopes at either Castleford or Manchester when I could. I even did a two day ski performance course with someone who was a BASI trainer. Nothing helped. My short turns were still a problem. I was getting nowhere and running out of ideas. With my off duty already written 3 months in advance and the examiner advising me not to book my technical resit until I was at the required standard I had struggled to get  booked onto a technical resit. Failing to make progress alone, I had tracked down my BASI examiner from September and flew out to him and his  ski school in Chamonix , Freedom Snowsports, for coaching.   When I had do