CASI runs Virtual Member Sessions every fall and they're a great opportunity to tune up your teaching and get you stoked for the season.
The first one of the 2024-2025 season was on Sept 24.
Here's a recap of what went down!
- How long does your CASI certification last?
Jamie answered, "For life! But, you do need to renew your dues every season and complete the online update to access member benefits."
- Why is L3 not being run internationally this season?
Gen answered, "L3 is currently being reviewed, therefore, CASI is putting a pause on running them internationally."
- What are tips to achieve symmetry in turn shape in carving?
Jamie answered that the toe and heel side are completely different positions.
He suggested trying Stop 'n Hops, film them, and see if you're moving the same amount vertically on both heel and toe side.
Check how fast you're moving vertically as well, cause going down too quickly can change the shape of your turn.
Melissa added that you should check out the symmetry between the top and bottom of your turn too.
- Can you put teaching tips on the CASI YouTube channel?
Yes, they've filmed some tips! Coming soon.
- When to use open/closed positions in our riding?
Breen said when we're teaching folks to snowboard, we teach them the neutral position. If we're teaching carving, at the intro stage we'll promote the neutral position, and as it gets more advanced we can open up. But the neutral position is a good stance to promote in general.
Nick added that, especially at novice/intermediate stages, we should really promote the neutral position so as to build the muscle memory to be there.
- What's the difference between counter-rotation and separation?
Jamie started by saying that counter-rotation is a more dynamic, although more unbalanced position. It's when the opposite action is happening between the upper and lowers which creates a lot more torsion through your core.
Separation creates a tiny bit of muscular tension to put you in a strong position, which is what we create with a slightly more open position. It allows you to engage the core muscles and stops folding at the waist.
Mel explained that we use a slight bit of separation in freestyle helps her to be able to move in all the different planes of movement. She said that holding a neutral position helps her to feel stable in her tricks.
Breen said that when we're spinning in and out of boxes we use separation. Think about a boardslide. There's a bit of separation to stay stable in the trick.
He also said we use separation when hopping onto rails. He said we use separation when doing variations in the air to do tweaked grabs or shifties.
- Can we get more Interski content?
Gen replied that CASI has done that through their Interski Blog.
- What is the best way to grab method? Inside the bindings or at the nose?
Nick answered, it depends what you're going for. How flexible are you? What's the goal? Do you want to arc your back? Bone out your leg? That's the beauty of snowboarding, you can make it your worn. If it feels good, that's what matters.
- While understanding that getting mileage is key to improvement, are there any recommended exercises to learn how to ride challenging moguls (icy, slushy, etc.)?
Mel answered that using the legs independently, as shock absorbers, is a good one.
Change the pitch of the slope. If you're being challenge, try to find a gentler slope and then increase the challenge from there.
Jamie added to find somewhere really mellow and try sliding 180s or 360s. This will get you used to the feeling of the board sliding under you. He said that this allows you to stay on top of your board. Often candidates end up jamming onto their edge and not smoothly steering it through. This exercise will let you not only focus on the up and down movement, but also on steering the board through the turns.
Gen added to that line choice is a good thing to experiment with. Try to ride just the bottoms, try to bank the moguls, try double-ups, learn how to de-tune your edging to let the board slide through the turns.
Breen said that pumping traverse lines is another good way to practice the independent leg movement. He said that sometimes he would do the traverse lines switch, which helped his natural footed mogul riding.
Nick added that we don't necessarily need to ride fast all the time either. Instead, take your time and slow yourself down and focus on precisely placing your board where you want it to go. He said riding slow will help you to be smooth, and smoothness is eventually going to help you ride faster.
Gen finished by saying that different types of moguls might require different techniques, so changing up the rhythm and style is good to practice.
- Can we have a session at [my resort]?
Keep your eye on the schedule it's changing all the time!
- The new L4 standards video shows a lot of buttering, is buttering in between features encouraged?
Gen answered that it's not a mandatory task, however, we're definitely looking for the skills to be able to do it. The goal of the video was to show well-rounded riders.
- How should I prepare for a retest?
Jamie answered, re-read the feedback form. Look at the common threads in the comments. Try to understand the big picture, what are the movement patterns that are being highlighted, not the individual skills. Try to get video footage if you can, go to a member session, contact anyone that can give you advice.
Gen says that you should come to the retest prepared and having had enough time to assimilate the feedback. It's expected that you've worked on the feedback that you received.
Melissa added, give yourself time. You want to come back set up for success. Gen agreed. Don't rush.
- When going to P1 or P2 should you be able to do all the mandatory maneuvers? Or can we expect to learn them on the course?
Breen said it'd be great to know them and come to the course to refine. P1 is a two-day course, so if you can't land 180s when you come to the course, it's pretty hard to learn that over two days.
Gen said that yes, you should have park experience before coming to the course. If you look at the mandatory maneuvers in the course outline and it scares you, you should put mileage in before coming to the course.
Nick agreed and added that it depends on your mindset going to the course. Are you going there to pass? Or are you going there to learn? He added that these are instructor courses, meaning you're learning how to teach these moves, therefore you need to be able to do them consistently enough to show good demos.
- How do I register for a members session?
From the CASI website! Just note that they're offered in either French or English, so make sure you know what you're signing up for. That goes for the topic of the session too (e.g., carving, park, L3 prep, etc.).