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Gavin Bates
British
Skier
13 week course
0700 alarm goes off and I open the curtains to another 20cms of NZ powder –
sweet, it is going to be another great day! Grab some breakfast and have
some banter with the house- mates, perhaps some ski tuning or a game of
soccer in the drive.
0740 bus arrives and Jeff, who has only woken up 30 seconds ago, still
somehow gets it together and we all set off for TC. Brendan from Edgewater
provides the ‘locals’ view on what the weather will do for the day and more
interestingly what the gossip is from the night before
0830 arrive at TC and the café becomes rookie HQ for coffee and morning
briefing. Not many better places to start the day and certainly beats being
back home!
0930 the freshies are awesome and training until lunch focuses on adapting
to the conditions – perfect preparation for the heliski trip at the weekend.
We learn Robbie’s 3rd law of skiing - “do not spoil good powder with bad
skiing”.
1230 lunch at the TC café, luckily the staff there knows us well (some
better than others!) so we get good food and a deal.
1330 back onto the mountain and an afternoon focusing on the NZ progression
– the rookie trainers are working with us on individual focus areas with
equal amounts of valid criticism and encouragement. As Emily, lead
instructor from Keystone, would say, “There you go, now your getting it”
1530 wrap up the day; get a drink and head down the mountain. Life does not
get much better than this. There is a lot to learn, but it is all really
helpful.
1630 some down time after a big day on the mountain. The house is great for
kicking back and sharing thoughts on the day with new friends.
1800 so many options in Wanaka; cook something at the house or perhaps head
to one of the many restaurants for dinner. The crew are meeting in Red Rock
for jugs of beers later as we have a day off tomorrow, so that is a must.
Josh and Alex will definitely push on ‘til late in A1, so maybe that. If
not, could watch a movie at the cinema Paradiso or just chill at one of the
other rookie houses. Happy days on the south island ….
Rookie Academy:
“The Rookie Academy trainers are some of the finest in the world. I found
the course a real challenge, but the rewards are worth it – such a good
feeling to get your instructor qualification and know your skiing has
improved. Wanaka and Treble Cone are undoubtedly the best place in the
southern hemisphere to live and train, you will not be disappointed.
Overall, a fantastic experience”
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