One of the original Tignes Spirit crew members Dave Crozier has spent years working towards the qualifications required to set up his own snowboard school, REAL Snowboarding.
We got the lowdown on being a snowboard instructor, having your own school, and working at Tignes Spirit in the early days...
Who are Real Snowboarding and what led you to setting up a snowboard school in Morzine Avoriaz?
Barry Parker and I have both gathered experience working for other schools all over Europe and we both have our own method of teaching which blends well together. We both went through our BASI qualifications together but we recognise that we teach differently to each other.
We both love snowboarding together! We lived with each other whilst taking our instructor exams and have done a winter season together since then. It seemed pretty obvious to start something up in an industry that we have dedicated our lives to. It's nice to not always work for someone else, you know? This way, we can make our own decisions or as a team in our case!
What makes Real Snowboarding different from all those other ski or snowboard schools out there?
We believe we've found a niche in an ever-growing industry. We represent REAL snowboarders. We ride the park every day, ride backcountry or cruise the pistes and always put 110% into our own performance and progression. We want to inspire and produce inspirational snowboarders from our lessons and coaching.
It's important to us that clients receive a high quality lesson but also walk away feeling confident, happy and inspired to become the snowboarder they want to be. You may say other snowboard schools provide this and some do; we don't deny this. We have a mission to prove to people that we love snowboarding and that we will inspire you.
What advice do you have for people who are thinking of becoming a snowboard instructor?
If you are starting on the pathway to becoming an instructor, my advice is to enjoy every minute of it. You will soon develop this wonderful gift of making people smile and enjoy themselves, which really is something special. You must understand that it's definitely not about the money, but about a passion for doing what we all love and want to pass on to others.
What did you like about doing seasons in Tignes when you were here?
I lived and worked in Tignes for five winter seasons in total, working for Kieran at Tignes Spirit the whole time! Tignes spirit started small and it was a constant adventure... we worked in a cave to cut it short. It was fun, a great laugh and the best job in the alps for sure (apart from instructing of course)!
Giving advice to people about snowboards and skis and testing out top quality gear that Kieran bought in each year were perks of the job. There was always a laugh and a smile, I was always busy but I worked amongst friends and like minded people so it was filled with good times!
What do you do in the summer time?
Where's your top place to go shredding?
There are many amazing places in the world I would love to go snowboarding (Alaska, British Columbia, Japan, Scotland) but I am a true believer in; "it doesn't matter where in the world you are, as long as you have your friends around you, you are going to have an amazing day".
Be a surf instructor I guess...
Make sure you give the Real Snowboarding lads a shout if you're in Morzine, Avoriaz or Les Gets this winter. Follow their updates on facebook & instagram and check out their promo vid below!
