Today was just putting into practise the technical things that were learned yesterday – plus the familiarisation with chairlifts, button lifts and steeper terrain. We began by testing everyone for the ability to stop on a steep pitch and everyone managed.
Jack bravely struggled to keep up but was constantly losing control and sitting down between his skis. When teaching everyone to side step down a steeper pitch it was clear to me that jack had a problem holding the skis on edge – most likely the boots being much too large – also then potentially explaining why he was leaning back to get support all the time. After the session we removed one of his boots and took out the insole – yes it was far too large! Hopefully the boots were changed for something sensible and this brings Jack’s progress a new lease of life!
Meanwhile on the mountain I checked Catherine’s boots and although slightly under-edged (cuff adjustment required – I’ll bring a tool for that next time!) that itself wasn’t enough to cause knee pain. I explained how to use “dynamics” and to extend the uphill leg fully to initiate a turn and keep it extended during the turn as it pushes the centre of mass down and into the turn (like a motorbike turning). This provides support from the bone structure instead of muscles and takes strain off the joints. Of course this also happens to completely reverse the standard timing taught through ski instruction – but it is the right way to move. Not only should this help to remove the knee problem but it also now ties in with how the children are learning to ski – which then fits together seamlessly with any other sports they might be involved with.
The snowplough used by the children was meant to disappear when crossing the hill each time – but this was the first time they had skied without me leading and Jake did an excellent job – controlling speed through turning. When using dynamics (as opposed to “balance”) as the children are doing all we need to do is progressively increase speed when ready and the skis will end up completely parallel due to the forces generated.
