SNOWBOARD ACTION TEAM REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS

(January 1994)

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. The ability of Snowboard patrollers to operate toboggans and to perform the majority of other tasks normally expected of ski-equipped members, has been decisively demonstrated. Snowboards and evacuation toboggans are highly compatible. Snowboarders are fully capable of meeting the performance objectives embodied in the current versions of both our "Basic" and "Senior" Ski & Toboggan curriculum.

We recommend that ski patrols consider allowing their members to use snowboards for the performance of their duties. This recommendation is subject to the explicit assumption that such patrollers will be required to demonstrate, to the satisfaction of their mountain's patrol authorities and to area management, that they can safely and efficiently perform their patrol duties using only a Snowboard. The Snowboard patrollers should not be granted any special consideration in this evaluation process, and should be expected to meet the same performance OBJECTIVES, both for "free ski" and "toboggan handling" as required of Alpine ski equipped patrollers.

2. Utilize existing ski and toboggan evaluation criteria in the evaluation of existing patrollers on snowboards in recommendation 1.

3. Establish appropriate clinics at the divisions already involved in the action teams to determine whether the current ski and toboggan training curriculum is appropriate and valid for use by ski patrollers on snowboards. Make recommendations on modification of existing training materials. This activity may take up to one year. Divisions not as yet active on this project are encouraged to participate.

4. Utilize the same clinics to establish appropriate PSIA levels for basic and senior patroller on snowboards.

5. Training programs for new patrollers on snowboards and skis should be integrated utilizing any modifications of training criteria developed in recommendation #3.

6. Individual patrols are encouraged to recruit and train "snowboard-only" patrollers to the extent that they, and area management, deem appropriate. This recruitment can occur before the completion of our "curriculum" evaluation outlined in #3 above. These new patrollers will be expected to meet the same performance OBJECTIVES already established for your area's "Basic" Alpine ski equipped patrollers.

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