Certification, Instruction and Discipline Categories
Certification in the USSI
There are a number of ways to become a certified USSI instructor.
You can maintain certification in as many different organizations as you like and
that will have no effect on your USSI membership.
One method of certification is cross-transfer. Cross-transfering is applied when
you have been a snowboard instructor for any other country or organization that has previously certified you. With a cross-transfer you can receive your Level 100 Instructor certification simply by mailing your proof. If you are a higher level instructor and wish to be given your Level 500 Instructor certification you must have the required hours signed off and your organizations certification requirements will be reviewed at your last level of completion.
Another method of certification is if you are currently an employed snowboard instructor you can have your current ski school director sign you off on 45 hours of instruction and you will be given your Level 100 Instructor certification.
Still going, for a limited time, USSI will be granting Level 1000 and 1500 certifications to accomplished riders that have or are currently instructing. A Level 1500 Instructor is certified by discipline. To qualify for this appointment you must be an instructor, you must have qualifying instruction time and/or in the development of your discipline and snowboarding as a whole. You must also be willing to have your ideas, skills and experience be an element of the foundation for the growth and success of the U.S. Snowboard Instructors organization as a whole. All applicants with interest will be considered.
Once a certified USSI instructor you must sign off on 25 hours of instruction at the current level to take the examination for the next higher level and in the case of discipline certification, meet the criteria for that discipline as well.
Certification Levels
Once an instructor has been certified at Level 100 he or she must have the associated ski school director for their program or mountain sign off a minimum of 25 hours of teaching to become eligible for the next level of certification.
Level 100 - The
instructor at this level instructs "beginner" and "novice"
snowboarders. He or she has a working knowledge of the basic skill sets
required. The instructor can effectively explain and/or demonstrate
these skill sets to include ;
Skating
Balance and Weight Distribution
Edging
Turn Initiation
and Completion
Pressure
Disciplines - formal and informal
Equipment
Mountain Etiquette and Safety.
Instructors can effectively teach Level 100 and Level 200 snowboarders.
Certification - Examination by two or three Level 500 or Level 1000 instructors or one Level 1500 instructor.
Level 500 - The Level 500 instructor has the ability to effectively teach all of the fundamentals with an empasis on tuning and expanding the rider's skills for the development of consistency, fluidity and control. An instructor at this level should be able to conform his instructions to the perceived discipline, if any, of the student. Reenforcement of the students existing skills takes a certain precedence at this level. This level should give the rider a firm foundation and a confidence to quickly and effectively progress while introducing techniques and methods that will conform to and suite the riders needs.
Level 500 Instructors teach Level 100,200 and Level 500 students.
Certification - Examination by two Level 1000 instructors or one Level 1500 instructor.
Level 1000 - The instructor has a firm understanding of progression and development. He or she can introduce personal concepts which can be defined and pronounced by the fundamental skill sets. An instructor of this level can fine tune the fundamental abilities of the student while effectively molding new concepts into and around a students abilities.
A Level 1000 Instructor has the option of certification by discipline.
Certification - Examination by two level 1000 instructors or one Level
1500 Instructor. Certification By Discipline - Examination by one Level 1500 Instructor of
the same or closest related discipline or two Level 1000 discipline certified
instructors of the same or closest related discipline.
Level 1000 Instructors teach Level 100,200,500 and Level 1000 students
as well as intermediate or advanced students that wish to be instructed in
line with a particular discipline.
Level 1500 (discipline) -
This is a coaching level for instructors and students alike. The Level 1500
Instructor teaches accomplished riders who wish to be critiqued and tuned in
or beyond their discipline (if any). A 1500 instructor can singly certify
any of the lower levels of certification and discipline related certifications
for Level 1000 Instructors of the same or similar discipline.
A Level 1500 Instructor is certified by discipline. The instructor must be able
to effectively demonstrate and teach technique within that discipline as well
as all of the necessary fundamentals of the lower levels.
An instructor can be certified in one or more disciplines at the 1000 and 1500 levels.
Certification - Examination by two level 1500 instructors of the same or closest related disciplines.
Level 2000 Master - The highest level of insructor certification is Level 2000 . This is an Instructor level and not an instruction level.
Certification - Certification at this level is given by achieving no less than three 1500 Level certifications in any three differing disciplines.
Instruction Levels
Level 100 - Beginner - For those who have never snowboarded before or for those who need help with a specific skill.
Level 200 - Novice - A Level 200 snowboarder has very little experience but does have a working knowledge of the basic skill sets and he or she can connect turns.
Level 500 - Intermediate - Snowboarders at this level are ready to take on more advanced terrain, have little or no trouble with connecting turns and are beginning to understand and develop the finer points of the fundamentals.
Level 1000 - Advanced - An advanced snowboarder has a good understanding of his or her abilities and understands the concepts and fundamentals of snowboarding. The rider has a developing style and a firm grasp on the direction in which his or her riding is progressing in relation to discipline(s). A rider at this level should be able to choose, if available, a discipline certified instructor.
Level 1500 - Expert - Snowboarders at Level 1500 have a well defined style and discipline. A rider has little or no difficulty with all terrain associated with their discipline. A Level 1500 rider wishes to expand and tune the finer elements of control and further develop their abilities. A rider of this level may also wish to cross train and expand to other discipline techniques.
Disciplines
FreeStyle
FreeRide
FreeCarve
FreeAlpine
Extreme
Slalom, Giant Slalom and Boarder-X Racing