Join us as we explore Sam Xu’s journey from childhood in China to becoming a Level 4 CASI instructor and a competitor on the Freeride World Tour. Discover insights on training, competition, injury recovery, and the importance of mentorship in the snowboarding community.

CONNECT WITH SAM

Rednote @Sam单板

Instagram @bigsamxu

CHAPTERS

00:00 - Intro

02:54 - Sam's Early Life and Introduction to Sports

05:52 - Transition to Canada and Overcoming Language Barriers

08:44 - Career Beginnings in Snow Sports

11:51 - Coaching Experience and Its Impact

14:43 - Injury and Recovery Insights

17:37 - Advice for Fellow Athletes on Injury Recovery

20:39 - Sam's Certification Pathway in CASI

23:36 - Reflections on the Exam Process and Support

26:45 - Achieving Level Four

27:09 - Understanding Evaluation and Success

28:45 - The Role of an Evaluator

30:07 - Home Mountains and Teaching Locations

32:16 - Exploring Other Interests Beyond Snowboarding

38:31 - Palette Cleanser

44:55 - Key Turning Points in Career

51:57 - Mentorship and Influential Figures

55:29 - The Importance of Community in Snowboarding

59:09 - Fundamentals of Free Riding and Technique

01:00:43 - Mentorship and Learning from Legends

01:03:42 - Mental Preparation Strategies for Success

01:08:54 - Career Aspirations and Future Goals

01:15:02 - Role in the Snowboarding Community

CONNECT WITH US

• Subscribe, share, leave a review
• Suggest topics, guests or give us feedback: [email protected]
• More info at https://casi-acms.com/podcast/

HOSTS (Instagram)

• Rob Whelan @robwhelanrides
• Jeff Chandler @jeffch

Join us as Cody Ratcliffe shares his international snowboarding journey, working in China and beyond, and offers insights into teaching across cultures, adapting communication, and balancing global and domestic seasons. Geneviève Pilotto also shares from her vast experience in teaching overseas as well as hitting on many of the logistical elements of training staff and managing the oversight of the program as a whole.

Chapters -

00:00 - Introduction and Context Setting

00:15 - Cody's Snowboarding Journey

05:59 - International Course Providers and CASI's Role

10:52 - Experiences in China and International Teaching

13:55 - Travel Plans and Logistics

13:55 - Technical Difficulties and Solutions

16:33 - Balancing Domestic and International Work

18:33 - Resorts and Travel Experiences

20:56 - Snowboarding Adventures and Unique Experiences

21:38 - Palate Cleanser

26:43 - A Day in the Life of Teaching in the Dome

29:44 - Navigating Environmental Challenges

32:53 - The Art of Communication with Translators

35:40 - Cultural Exchange in Snowboarding

39:15 - Advice for Evaluators Considering International Teaching

41:28 - Qualities of a Successful International Evaluator

46:36 - Personal Experiences and Connections in Snowboarding

50:41 - Balancing Travel and Personal Life

58:22 - Looking Ahead: Future Plans and Reflections

Pour notre tout premier épisode en français, l’animatrice Geneviève Pilotto reçoit Luc Bélanger et Manuela Olibera-Dorn ! Ils abordent les défis et les opportunités liés à l’enseignement et à la formation dans une deuxième langue, en mettant l’accent sur la communication, le langage corporel et les stratégies pratiques pour un enseignement efficace dans des contextes multilingues.--Host, Geneviève Pilotto is joined by Luc Bélanger and Manuela Olibera-Dorn in our very first French episode! They explore the challenges and opportunities of teaching and training in a second language, focusing on communication, body language, and practical strategies for effective teaching in multilingual contexts.While this episode is in French, we encourage English speaking members to tune in as the content is quite relevant and often directed at non-Francophones, encouraging people to get out of their comfort zones to try new things.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Michelle Clifford, a high-level snowboarding and skiing professional, outdoor sports enthusiast, and dedicated mother. Discover her journey through certifications, balancing parenthood with athletic pursuits, and her insights on training, mentorship, and community involvement.

CHAPTERS -

00:15 - Intro

2:32 - 4x4 Certification: How I got there

5:57 - How does one feed the other (Skiing/Snowboarding)

9:57 - How do you maintain such a high riding and skiing standard?

14:25 - Words of advice to Dual Certified members (aka Duallies!)

18:03 - History of Mount Pakenham

24:37 - How to approach progression at a small hill

29:55 - Skabbard

30:45 - How to balance high performance in sport and being a good parent

34:13 - Challenges with having babies and maintaining training

38:36 - How having babies impacted career trajectory

44:11 - Palette Cleanser!

47:36 - Experiences on the Technical Team

52:05 - Inspiring Women in Snow Sports

58:40 - Finding Your Path

01:00:35 - Summer Adventures: Rafting and Guiding

01:06:58 - Crossover Skills: Snow and Water Sports

In this episode, hosts Rob Whelan and Jeff Chandler interview Andy MacLean, an OG CASI member, Hall of Famer and Operations Manager at Martock in Nova Scotia. They discuss Andy's extensive experience in the snowboarding industry, the vibrant community at small resorts, and the evolution of snowboarding techniques and equipment. The conversation highlights the importance of fostering a welcoming environment for snowboarders and the role of grassroots initiatives in promoting the sport. Andy shares insights on the current state of snowboarding, a career built at Martock, and the future of snowboarding.

CHAPTERS

00:00 - Introductions

01:43 - A typical day at Martock

03:11 - Andy's Journey in Snowboarding

07:03 - Community and Operations at Small Resorts

10:30 - The Importance of Riglet Parks

13:34 - Influence of Early Snowboarding Experiences

18:30 - Evolution of Snowboarding Instruction

22:41 - Interski and Global Snowboarding Standards

26:11 - The Evolution of Snowboarding Equipment

28:11 - Personal Experiences with Snowboards

29:42 - Teaching and Influences in Snowboarding

31:48 - The Importance of SWAG in Snowboarding Culture

33:56 - Snowboarding in the Maritimes: A Unique Perspective

36:17 - The State of Snowboarding Today

39:35 - Community and Inclusivity in Snowboarding

43:53 - The Future of Snowboarding and Its Appeal

Jamie Forbes, member of the National Technical Team joins hosts Gen, Jeff & Rob to discuss the upcoming Interski Congress, an international gathering of snow sports instructors. They explore the significance of Interski, the community aspect and the value it brings to CASI members. The conversation also includes fun segments and insights into the planning and preparation for the event which will take place in April of 2027.

Chapters:

00:15 - Welcome

01:47 - Understanding Interski: An Overview

04:13 - The Significance of Interski

06:53 - Sharing Best Practices at Interski

11:26 - Learning from Global Perspectives

12:08 - Global Alignment in Snowboarding Techniques

13:53 - Cultural Exchange at Interski

16:01 - The Balance of Fun and Technical Demos

19:08 - Value of Interski for CASI Members

22:21 - Community Over Competition

6:58 - Non-Performance Aspects of Presentations

27:40 - Planning for Interski 2027

In this episode, Rob Whelan interviews James Hyland, a passionate snowboard instructor and CASI's Program Manager for Ontario/Manitoba/Saskatchewan. They discuss the importance of enjoying the learning process, the value of learning from failure, and effective goal-setting strategies for personal and professional growth. James shares his experiences and insights on how to navigate challenges in the pursuit of certification and the significance of having a clear 'why' behind one's goals. The conversation emphasizes the journey of learning and the importance of community support in achieving success.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro

02:28 Enjoying the Process of Learning

05:30 The Value of Learning from Failure

07:55 Goal Setting and Personal Objectives

13:10 Strategies for Effective Goal Setting

16:19 Handling Goal Setting Challenges

20:11 Tips for Certification Success

In this episode, hosts Rob Whelan, Jeff Chandler, and Luc Bélanger discuss the recent changes in the minimum age for Level 1 snowboarding certification, now set at 14. They explore the implications of this change, including the benefits of allowing younger individuals to enter the teaching profession earlier. The conversation evolves into the challenges and rewards of building a career in snowboarding, emphasizing the importance of soft skills, community support, and the long-term commitment required to succeed in this field. The hosts share personal anecdotes and practical advice for aspiring instructors, highlighting the significance of mentorship and the value of experience in teaching snowboarding.

In this conversation, Jeff Chandler, Gen Pilotto & Rob Whelan discuss the evolution of communication within the organization, emphasizing the importance of connecting with members through a new podcast initiative. They highlight the quality of course content and the need for transparency in decision-making processes, aiming to create a more direct line of communication with snowboard instructors worldwide.

Takeaways -

The quality of our communications is strong.

This podcast is the next evolution of our outreach.

Excited about connecting with members through this project.

This podcast offers a chance for less polished communication.

We have many personalities to tap into for resources.

The goal is to help snowboard instructors globally.

Feedback from members is crucial for improvement.