Adaptive Volunteer Training
Volunteers play a crucial role in adaptive snow sports, providing assistance to clients with a disability and allowing them to access the snow and enjoy a safe and fun day. Without the support of volunteers our on-mountain programmes would not be able to provide this service.
Snow Sports NZ run adaptive snow sports volunteer training programmes that match volunteers to clients with a disability to act as on-snow support. The programmes welcome skiers and snowboarders. As a volunteer you will learn to assist, provide a safe environment, to encourage and, above all, to have fun. You are not expected to teach*. You will be required to attend an on-snow training weekend at the beginning of the season.
The aim of the training weekend is to introduce volunteers to the adaptive equipment and techniques used to assist our clients and to understand the skills required to assist a person with a disability. We will give you the opportunity to experience and work with the adaptive equipment and learn the techniques related to specific disabilities and equipment. There will also be ongoing training during the season in the programmes that offer volunteer services.
This will include:
* If you are interested in becoming an Adaptive Snow Sports Instructor, the volunteer training weekends are prerequisites to the NZSIA Level 1 Adaptive Courses.
Become a Classifier
Information on becoming a classifier for adaptive snow sports can be found at this link.
Volunteering at an Adaptive Snow Sports Event
Snow Sports NZ run International Paralympic Committee (IPC) sanctioned events either combined with able bodied events or as stand alone. Race Organising Committees and officials should refer to the Handbooks that are applicable to each able bodied sport. International Ski Federation (FIS) rules apply with some adaptions to alpine ski racing.
Contact [email protected] for more information and opportunities.