GAP SKI INSTRUCTOR PROGRAM

2008 GAP Ski Instructor Course Review

Sebastian Staines, 18 School Leaver, Cape town, South Africa I have been coming to Verbier for 10 years and had always dreamt of wearing the red uniform of the ski school who had taught me to ski since I was 8. I had no idea how to go about becoming an instructor though. Whilst in offshore a few years back I found the Warren Smith Ski Academy brochure being used as a napkin by my sister. After shaking the drool off, I read the pamphlet and it sounded amazing, plus it included me becoming a ski instructor, great! Dream come true!

Last year, whilst in Verbier, I went for a ski/interview with Warren. After seeing him ski moguls that sealed my decision, I wanted to ski like Warren! Before I came on the course I fancied myself as a pretty good skier but realised I was completely wrong. The coaches feedback was critical, but made me really want to push myself and I feel it really paid off.

Our accommodation was right in the heart of Verbier, anywhere we wanted to go was no more than a 15 min walk away. The supermarket, bus stop and hospital were just across the street.

A typical day on the course; Waking up, shaking the hang over off, meet instructors at lift station, do stretches at stretching area, split into groups and then ski until the end. Finish at 3p.m after the cool down and then grab a beer or 2 at the bar '1936 on the mountain. Dinner served at 8pm, a riotous occasion!...Then...Party time...

...Maybe a night out at Mont fort, Farinet lounge...Cazbah, CoCo..who knows or maybe in bed by 10 o'clock after a heavy Apres Ski!

After completing our BASI 2 the Swiss Ski School took us on as instructors which was a huge honour, and I hope that the ski school will employ me again. It was a life achievement to wear the red suit of the highly regarded school that taught me to ski so many years ago and to know I am like god to my students.

The course has been a life changing experience for me. I feel more confident, not only as a skier but as a person too. I feel like I have made many life long friends, and it was very emotional saying goodbye to all of them. I would without hesitation give anything to do the course again, best 9 weeks of my life!

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