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 #1 Information on Instructors courses: AASI/BASI/CASI/NZASI Posted 06/04/2009 @ 14:06 |
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Revision #1 (Last edited: 09/04/2009 @ 13:13) |
updated to add information from people that have also posted in thread
I did a lot of searches on all the instructors courses on GB and although there’s lots of info, I couldn’t find a definitive post that answered all the questions I have, and the websites for each of the courses are somewhere between ok and downright useless!! So I thought I'd start a thread with the idea of letting everyone know what I've found out.
(I’ll be using this info to inform my own decisions about what courses to do over the next 18 months – so I’ll post up my feedback on how that process is going too)
So to start: Unfortunately I don’t have the option of doing a 10 – 12 week course to get me through any of the qualifications’ level 1 and 2 stages, due to time and money.
I’ve mostly been researching the BASI and CASI up to level 2 so that’s where I’ll begin.
BASI
BASI 1 – 5 day course, around £500, can be taken in the UK, and I believe as part of a level 1 & 2 course with various snow schools in Europe and Canada.
To receive the BASI 1 Licence you need to pass the course, be an affiliate member of BASI, complete a 12 hour first aid course, safeguarding children module (which can now be done online), 35 hours of shadowing (which should include helping students book lessons, sorting out equipment etc as well as actual teaching) and a police check – CRB from Disclosure Scotland
The BASI 1, once licenced, allows you to teach on dry slope and indoor slopes in the UK only.
BASI 2 – 10 day course, normally over a 2 week period.
To receive the BASI 2 Licence you need to complete a further 35 hours of shadowing, and ensure your first aid and police check are up to date, you will need to be a full member of BASI, and attend a refresher every 3 years unless you take any further BASI ‘on snow’ training.
The BASI 2, once licenced, allows you to teach in Europe (except France). If you wish to work in Andorra you also need to complete a 4 day Andorran Snowboard Performance Enhancement course.
As far as I’m aware you can’t teach in America, Canada NZ etc with the BASI 2, but please correct me if I’m wrong – I know you can once you’ve progressed onto ISIA but I’m not really aiming that high just yet!
CASI (which seems to have the most straightforward website)
CASI 1 - 3 day course & exam, around CA$330, taken in Canada, again can be taken as part of a level 1 & 2 course via various providers.
On completion of the course and passing the exam you are a qualified CASI 1 Instructor
CASI 2 – 2 days of prep, around CA$215, 4 day course & exams, around CA$440.
On completion of the courses and exams you are a qualified CASI 2 Instructor.
CASI state that some resorts will hire people with foreign qualifications, but that’s up to the resort, and state that foreign instructors may benefit from becoming a Foreign Affiliate Member. Also once you have done this you can move straight to the CASI Level 2 course – although I think some more research may be needed on this.
AASI
I haven’t been able to find out very much about the AASI at all, the website is useless! I know it can be completed on similar 10 – 12 week courses as the CASI.
However I haven’t found out if you can complete the level 1 as a stand alone course – the best way to find out about this is to contact the resort you're thinking of visiting. Some American resorts will take on unqualified people and then train them up over the season – allowing them to attend relevant training courses/exams, the only major issue with this is getting a visa/work permit (usually the H2B visa)
I’ll leave it there for now, longest opening post ever?!
(Sorry I haven't covered NZASI yet, it's not something I will personally be doing, but I'll do the research in the name of being unbiased!) |
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There are only 2 positions in snowboarding....one is looking coooool....the other is....DEAD!
Not every problem can be solved with duct tape, and it's exactly for those situations we have WD 40 and zip ties |
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| Posts: 9199 |
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Nottinghamshire |
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| #2 Re: Information on Instructors courses: AASI/BASI/CASI/NZASI Posted 06/04/2009 @ 14:10 |
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| In reply to post #1
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The police check is a CRB check through Disclosure Scotland. You can teach in the US with BASI 2 and I also believe you can in Canada, although they are more than likely to want to employ people with their qualifications.
I have heard that the AASI is quite often 'train on the job'.
PM me if you want my full thoughts. |
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| Posts: 925 |
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Nottinghamshire |
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| #3 Re: Information on Instructors courses: AASI/BASI/CASI/NZASI Posted 06/04/2009 @ 14:19 |
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| In reply to post #2
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Cheers Pete, that's a help! |
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There are only 2 positions in snowboarding....one is looking coooool....the other is....DEAD!
Not every problem can be solved with duct tape, and it's exactly for those situations we have WD 40 and zip ties |
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| Posts: 9199 |
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Forum Mod |
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Nottinghamshire |
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| #4 Re: Information on Instructors courses: AASI/BASI/CASI/NZASI Posted 06/04/2009 @ 14:22 |
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| In reply to post #3
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It also depends on where you want to teach and how far you want to take it. |
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| #5 Re: Information on Instructors courses: AASI/BASI/CASI/NZASI Posted 06/04/2009 @ 16:09 |
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| In reply to post #1
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I'm seriously considering doing the BASI level one course but am just wondering if I would be up to the standard. I can confidently link tight turns on blues/reds and can take on blacks easily but with larger turns.
Was thinking of doing the BASI 1 in a snowdome in the UK to keep costs down and on the website (BASI and snowbaordcaoch.co.uk) it says that about 10 weeks of riding is ideally what you should have. I've only had about 5.
Sorry to hijack a bit but was just wondering if anyone knows if this would be ok or I should maybe take a performance course or something?
Cheers,
Jonny |
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| Posts: 9199 |
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| #6 Re: Information on Instructors courses: AASI/BASI/CASI/NZASI Posted 06/04/2009 @ 16:17 |
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| In reply to post #5
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Best person to ask would be Ash at Snowboardcoach, although it's difficult without seeing someone ride. You could always do a performance course or ask an instructor nicely to watch you and give some tips and advice. |
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| Posts: 925 |
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Nottinghamshire |
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| #7 Re: Information on Instructors courses: AASI/BASI/CASI/NZASI Posted 06/04/2009 @ 16:23 |
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| In reply to post #5
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Jonny, this was a concern of mine too, although I've now notched up 7 weeks so getting closer. Ash has mentioned previously that anyone who does his Progression Course (snowboardcoach ) does pass the BASI level 1, so I don't think it's likely to be a problem... "in fact ALL the people who did a performance course went on to pass the level 1 later that year..... " Thread quoted
It would end up meaning you've spent £700 ish on getting the BASI 1, but maybe that would be better than having to spend money and extra time on completing a resit? |
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There are only 2 positions in snowboarding....one is looking coooool....the other is....DEAD!
Not every problem can be solved with duct tape, and it's exactly for those situations we have WD 40 and zip ties |
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| Posts: 9199 |
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Forum Mod |
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Nottinghamshire |
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| #8 Re: Information on Instructors courses: AASI/BASI/CASI/NZASI Posted 06/04/2009 @ 16:25 |
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Revision #1 (Last edited: 06/04/2009 @ 16:26) |
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Caroline, if it's something you want to do and you're worrried about your riding standard for BASI 1, I can always have a session with you at Tam and I can give you some pointers. |
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| #9 Re: Information on Instructors courses: AASI/BASI/CASI/NZASI Posted 06/04/2009 @ 16:30 |
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| In reply to post #7
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I just emailed Ash to see what he thinks. I know it's a tough question to answer without seeing someone ride and ideally I think I would do the performance course with snowboard coach, but like you said it's then coming in at around £700 and that's getting a bit out of my current budget!
Might just have a few performance lessons rather than a compete course and see how I feel after that?
REALLY want to do the BASI course but don't want to turn up and look like a muppet!
Jonny |
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| Posts: 2788 |
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Nottinghamshire |
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| #10 Re: Information on Instructors courses: AASI/BASI/CASI/NZASI Posted 06/04/2009 @ 17:37 |
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| In reply to post #9
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in regards to the aasi qualifications.
alot of resorts do hire unqualified instructors but not foreign ones generally .
its still a big fight trying to get a visa for the states as a qualified instructor.
but as for taking the course as a stand alone you can its usually ran through the resorts so if you contact some resorts they should be able to let you know . |
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Lv 3 CASI Instructor LV 1 Evaluator
lv 1 CASI carving instructor
LV 1 PARK instructor
Basic CSF Coach |
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| Posts: 925 |
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Nottinghamshire |
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| #11 Re: Information on Instructors courses: AASI/BASI/CASI/NZASI Posted 06/04/2009 @ 19:05 |
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cheers Pete, I'll keep it in mind. trying to weigh up spending on the BASI vs doing the CASI at the moment! |
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There are only 2 positions in snowboarding....one is looking coooool....the other is....DEAD!
Not every problem can be solved with duct tape, and it's exactly for those situations we have WD 40 and zip ties |
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| #12 Re: Information on Instructors courses: AASI/BASI/CASI/NZASI Posted 06/04/2009 @ 23:23 |
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I know that BASI and NZASI, although not "officially" accepted are well recognised all over due to the amount of training & exposure to lessons in order to obtain the qualifications.
CASI1 (and I think AASI 1 also) are pretty easy to obtain and are more a way of getting people to pay fees every year... CASI2 doesn't have any teaching hours requirement (AASI2 may?? not sure)
Personally, I would prefer to go on holiday to do the course :-) |
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"If you know all 4 seasons: Almost Winter, Winter, Still Winter, and Road Construction..... you may be living in Canada!" |
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| #13 Re: Information on Instructors courses: AASI/BASI/CASI/NZASI Posted 07/04/2009 @ 01:26 |
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| In reply to post #12
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I didn't find the CASI 1 hard at all. We did however have to re-sitters from RED from the 12 week NON STOP programme re-sitting their riding/teaching...
Once you get the termanology you're pretty much set. The one thing most people (inluding myself) struggle with is, is becoming a 'beginner' again. You get marked on your ability to imitate a beginner rider. So if you're demonstrating a 'beginner linked turn' for example you do not want to be using any edge at all as that will go against you... Once you're able to become a beginner again the rest is a walk in the park! |
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Toqueanies Toqueanies - where handmade beanies and toques collide...
Toqueanies Toqueanies on 'The Book' |
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| #14 Re: Information on Instructors courses: AASI/BASI/CASI/NZASI Posted 07/04/2009 @ 03:27 |
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| #15 Re: Information on Instructors courses: AASI/BASI/CASI/NZASI Posted 07/04/2009 @ 04:29 |
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Haha! 
I was slightly concerned though that they has just spent the last 12 weeks learning all this stuff and their teaching/riding was horrible! |
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Toqueanies Toqueanies - where handmade beanies and toques collide...
Toqueanies Toqueanies on 'The Book' |
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