Have a serious question for those who are PSIA certified, particularly those who have earned their Level III, and those working to do so.
About 6-7 years ago the U.S. Ski Team and PSIA decided to collaborate in the spring....and hold a week long clinic. It was right about this time of year, and as I recall each of the two years about 20 or so athletes participated. This was among the USST A through D teams as well as athletes who where were part of NTG {National Training Group}. Steven Nyman was one of the first, s was Marco Sullivan.
As I recall, a number of the PSIA D Team members were participants and coaches.
At the end of the week all of the USST members had "earned" their Level III, were presented with their pins, etc. I know a number of them, and the ones that I know didn't seem to take it too seriously. They pretty much had to be there. In fact a year ago, my son was hiring two assistant coaches and one interested had been one of this group. His was joking about being PSIA Level III, having never once taught a single person to ski. They again, he had not done much coaching. Amazing where that USST jacket can take you!
Then again if your are a USST "coach" and spend a season in Europe with the WC or EC teams, it seems like you automatically become a "Level 500" International Coach. You can't do it otherwise, to my knowledge, though it seems to change every season. I know guys who have gained the certification by dealing with logistics, moving baggage and supplies and van driving form one venue to the next, or carrying bundles of gates on the hill. Maybe videoing from a tree...NO real coaching. Sure looks damn good in a bio or on a resume, and amazing how many people don't know what it means, and really put great stock into it.
I am a "race guy", but I have a lot of admiration for all people who take their craft seriously in sports and work hard to improve how they go about it. Hence, I admire those of you or "us" who either are Level III, or who absolutely will get there. Congrats.
How about the USST clinic, and such. Are those pins "tarnished?" Any thoughts or opinions?