ADAPTIVE LEVEL 1 INSTRUCTOR COURSE | 3-DAY BEGINNER-INTERMEDIATE ADAPTIVE INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION

The Adaptive Level 1 Instructor course trains both new and experienced instructors to teach and guide beginner to low-intermediate adaptive and 2-wheeled mountain bikers, in cross country environments. New instructors learn the tools they need to safely and effectively teach, while experienced instructors will increase their level of skill and understanding in teaching and riding theory that the PMBIA Certifications uniquely provide. This course takes place on AMTB-accessible trails and Adaptive-friendly locations.A strong focus is given to learning teaching skills in their own right, to develop a sense of this all-important part of a mountain bike lesson. Throughout the course candidates will learn and practice PMBIA’s proven, modern teaching models and skills, enabling them to deliver safe, effective and fun lessons to beginner to low-intermediate riders.Each day of the 3-day course, instructor candidates will learn riding skills and theory, have plenty of time to practice, and receive personal feedback for their own improvement. Additional workshops covering topics such as adaptive bike fitting, bike set-up, risk management and first aid, take place throughout the course to further build knowledge and skills during the course. WHY TAKE THIS COURSE?

• • This course has been developed in partnership with Whistler Adaptive Sports Programs (WASP) and is open to both Adaptive and two-wheeled riders, and acts a great stepping stone into the world of mountain bike coaching.
  • Adaptive and 2-wheel riders who wish to teach and guide other beginner to low-intermediate adaptive and/or 2-wheel riders.
  • Instructors looking to learn more tools and techniques to teach a variety of adaptive riders on different equipment.
  • Develop a passion for teaching: Any professional instructor must have a passion for teaching as much as they do for riding. This course will give you the essential tools you need to begin the process of becoming a professional instructor. You’ll learn how important it is to understand teaching as a skill in its own right as you begin the process of developing into a safe, fun and effective mountain bike instructor.
  • Recognized Certification from the global industry leader: Gain the industry’s most widely available and globally adopted mountain bike instructor certification, the PMBIA Certification.

Some key things you’ll learn:

• How to ride and demonstrate with more skill and consistency, how to plan and execute skill and maneuver-based mountain bike lessons in both cross country and downhill settings and how to guide MTB groups safely on single-track, technical terrain.
• Have fun: It’s 3-days of riding bikes, learning and getting stoked!
• Become your own coach: Through a greater knowledge of riding skills and learning theory, your increased understanding of the sport will help you analyze your own riding and enable you to teach yourself!
• Improve your own riding skills: Learn the all-important, fundamental skills you need to rail corners, gain confidence on technical climbs & descents, and master maneuvers such as front and rear wheel lifts, or rolling drops. Learn how to gain control in any situation to build confidence, safety and fun on your bike.

COURSE CONTEXTThe Adaptive Level 1 Certification is a perfect place to start your instructor journey and is designed to train instructors how to teach and guide adaptive and 2-wheel mountain biking:

• to beginner to low-intermediate students
• on green and blue (North America) or blue and red (UK/Europe), single-track terrain
• in a “front country” environment, no more than 1hr away from emergency medical care
• during small group lessons, ranging from 1 to 3 hr teaching blocks (a full day could be two, 3hr lessons)
• for an established mountain bike school, adaptive sports program club or coaching service

Course Duration: 3-days + pre-course reading and worksheet (2-3hrs), totalling 27 hrs, including assessment.PREREQUISITES

• The 1-day PMBIA Ride Guide course works as great prep for younger riders (15-18) and/or people with less experience with things like mountain biking off-road, public speaking or simply being in a position of leadership and responsibility. However, the Ride Guide course is not a mandatory prerequisite
• Confident riding at trail speed on technical, intermediate terrain, including Whistler-grade green, blue and “light” black trails. Level 1 Instructors must be comfortable riding any blue trails in the world, regardless of the blue trails in their home location.The PMBIA Level 1 Certification is an industry-wide standard, so instructors should be able to guide and teach on any trails, anywhere, within their certification level.
• Completed online prep; reading and Level 1 worksheet
• A minimum of 36 months mountain biking experience.
• 40hr Wilderness First Aid Certification, or equivalent, strongly recommended (but not required to take the course)
• The minimum age for Level 1 is 15 years old. However, the PMBIA does recommend Level 1 Instructors younger than 17, work with an assistant coach of age to help deal with any personal, first aid or emergency situations, should they arise
• The level 1 course includes the first year of membership to the PMBIA. After the first year, membership is an annual fee.