DWA is excited to announce the opportunity for DWA Adaptive Snowsport Guides to participate in our first ever Para Nordic Adaptive Snowsport Guide Training.

Through a Sport Australia Participation Grant, DWA is establishing the sport of ParaNordic Skiing, which includes Para Cross Country Skiing (Para XC) and Para Biathlon, on and off snow across 5 states. More information about this program can be found at: Para Nordic Skiing | Disabled Wintersport Australia

As an existing DWA Adaptive Snowsport Guide, you have the unique opportunity to participate in a fully funded training program to add Para Cross Country to your qualifications!

The training will be delivered in conjunction with our first two on snow Para Nordic Member Camps at:

Falls Creek: 19 - 22 August 2022

Perisher: 9 – 12 September 2022

Guide Training will take place on the Fridays, with the two on-snow training days taking place on the Saturday and Sunday on our Para Nordic Members camps.

As these camps and training are being held as part of Sport Australia Participation Grant, there will be no cost to attend and to stay. In addition, some of our newly Para Nordic Coaches will be attending the camps to support members on snow.

We are now calling for applications to take up this exciting opportunity to train to become a DWA Para Nordic Adaptive Snowsport Guide. There are places for up to 12 trainee guides on each of these courses.

Guide pre-requisite skills for Nordic skiing:

• Passion for Nordic Snowsports and alpine environment
• Passion and/or interest to be working with people with a disability.
• Good people and communication skills, empathy and patience, good self-assessment, and self-organisations skills  
• Is comfortable of being taken out of their comfort zones, on physical and/or psychological levels 
• Solid technical foundation and comfortable in Nordic classic and skating 
• Must have a high intermediate to advanced level of nordic snowsport skills and a good awareness of own abilities and limitations. A good solid fitness level is required.
• Comfortable on all terrain tracks and trails, dynamic comfortable in climbing as well as descending, snow plough to controlling speed, good balance and able to ski, stride and glide without poles. Hands-on guiding, holding on to pole, beside each other, or two poles, tandem style might be required, which will be practised in guide training.
• Basic knowledge of Nordic equipment. Specifics will be focused in guide training.
• Terrain awareness, knowledge of terrain choice and the alpine environment, weather aware- and consciousness, being informed and able to decide on such.  
• Is able to make decisions and planes regarding situation, environment and capabilities of member, on behalf of member and will always put safety first for themselves as well as the members. 

Training Details

Falls Creek, Victoria: 19^th to 22^nd August.

Schedule

• Fri 19 August: Participants arrive at AAA Building Howman’s Gap by 8.30am (or stay overnight Thursday night, please note there are limited beds available for Thursday 18 August). Course will be held from 10 am at Falls Creek Nordic Bowl, with some theory components off-snow in the afternoon / evening at Howman’s Gap.
• Sat 20 and Sun 21 August: On-snow Para Cross Country program at Falls Creek Alpine Resort (Nordic Bowl)
• Mon 22 August: Check out of AAA Howman’s Gap and either head home, or attend Para Biathlon Come n Try at Mt Hotham Alpine Resort

Includes:

• 3-4 nights accommodation at AAA Howman’s Gap
• Main meals - Dinner Fri night through to breakfast Mon 22 August
• Transport between Howman’s Gap and Windy Corner, Falls Creek daily
• All required XC ski equipment if required
• Training package
• A welcome pack

Cost: Nil – you will be required to provide your own clothing and personal supplies

For more information please enquire here.