This is a reprint of a letter which was sent to all 211 NSP Eastern Patrol Directors in January of 1995. It was authored by David Schutz, then NSP Eastern Snowboard Advisor. It was approved by the NSP Eastern Division Director and Eastern Division Ski & Toboggan staff prior to distribution.

A comprehensive article on the continuing curriculum development and validation of the capabilities of snowboards for patrol work appears in the Fall '95 issue of NSP's "Ski Patrol" magazine.

The objective of this outline is to provide an informal overview from the perspective of a Snowboard Patroller of the types of Ski and Toboggan skills normally expected of ALL patrollers. Specifically it utilizes snowboard related terminology to supplement our existing training materials which were originally developed for Alpine skiers. It has been prepared in response to numerous requests for "snowboard sensitive" training objectives.

It is important to remember that NSP's overall objectives in its training programs are, that a patroller be able to "Safely" and "Efficiently" complete their duties. These proficiency objectives and underlying standards are uniform regardless of whether the patroller is using Alpine skis, a Snowboard or Telemark skis. In no case should this document be construed as varying from the objectives and techniques of NSP's existing written training programs! (see; Patrol Officers Bulletin #94-19)

FREE SKI

* Ability to handle all terrain under all snow conditions

* Smooth, carved; Short, Medium, and Long Radius Turns

* Side slipping, both heel-side and toe-side under all terrain and snow conditions.

* "Falling Leaf" under all terrain and snow conditions.

* Ability to buckle and unbuckle bindings and immobilize snowboard under all snow and terrain conditions

* Equipment Carries, including typical rescue equipment

TOBOGGAN

Steering

* Operation of a EMPTY toboggan under all terrain and snow conditions. This should include "fall-line" and "traverses."

* Securing of a unloaded toboggan at an accident scene.

* Loading of a toboggan and subsequent buckling into bindings prior to sled operation.

* Steering of a LOADED toboggan under all terrain and snow conditions.

* "Transitions" while steering a loaded toboggan from heel-side to toe-side so as to check on patient condition and tail-rope patroller.

TAIL ROPE

* "Pull Stand" (using tail rope to rise from sitting position, heel-side).

* Tail rope operation with an EMPTY sled to demonstrate the importance of avoiding excessive rope tension.

* Tail operation both fall-line and traverse with a LOADED sled under all available terrain and snow conditions.

* "Falling Leaf" side-slip, tail rope operation on both smooth and moguled terrain.

* Emergency Stops in steeper terrain and more difficult snow conditions.

LIFT OPERATIONS

* Preparation of the toboggan for transport up a lift

* Getting on the lift with the toboggan

* Removal of the toboggan from the lift and the unloading area.

Where Would You Like to Go?

Dave's Snowboard Patrol Home Page