WSSA – SKI TECHNIQUE LAB – UK TOUR 2020
We are pleased to announce that this Autumn will see the return of the Academy’s SKI TECHNIQUE LAB TOUR in partnership with MDV SPORTS, HELLY HANSEN, NAEF PRESTIGE KNIGHT FRANK & ARGENTEX
Formulated over 20 years by working with thousands of skiers, the Warren Smith Ski Academy team brings GAIT analysis to Skiing Technique enabling the learner to develop their level even before a ski lesson. This pre ski formula makes the skier biomechanically sound, reduces the risk of injury and makes for faster development when on skis next.
Now in its 5th year, these workshops consist of a lecture that explains the 3 Way Lineage (Ski Technique/Ski Biomechanics/Ski Equipment Precision) and why it’s vital for ski technique development and unlocking classic blocks in skier movement patterns.
The ‘6 Way Foundation’ tests will give you a chance to be assessed by the team and identify your specific movement ranges and what you need to do to either balance out differences between the right and left side of the body or to generally improve range. You’ll have enough information to build your own technique development program off snow and dramatically change your skiing before the winter season starts.
THE FOUNDATION TESTS
1. LEG FLEX PATTERN TEST
By taking a measurement of how far each person’s ankle allows them to flex, we can tell early on if the simple mechanics of the sport will work or not. The ideal drop test range for safe skiing is between 15cm and 20cm with equal range on the right and left ankle.
Our previous findings showed the national average was 11cm, with the lowest score being 4cm. Most importantly over 95% of people showed a clear difference between their left and right ankle flex ranges.
2. SKIER SYMMETRY TEST
Symmetry describes how skiers manage their width of stance from the feet up to their hips and maintain a consistently symmetrical position. To test this range, we use our simple 10 second test where attendees try to pull their feet together on a slippery surface in a slow controlled movement without their knees dropping in.
Previous findings showed that over 70% of people had to take 3 attempts to make it last 10 seconds or more. Muscle fatigue was also evident.
3. LEG STEERING RANGE TEST
The ability to steer the legs independently from the hips is one of the most fundamental movements in skiing. This is the ball rotating inside the socket joint of the hip. We measured the range the outside leg is able to rotate inwardly (i.e. left leg steering inwardly towards the right) without the hips following.
The average inward rotation range on our last tour was 45 degrees. 90% of people showed over 20 degrees difference between left and right and only 5% of people tested showed a clear range of 70 degrees in each direction.
4. BODY ANGULATION TEST
Learning how to move laterally and create angles in the body. This is a key factor in skiing and a movement range that many people struggle with especially on one side of the body. Our exercise will help identify and improve this range.
5. LEG EXTENSION TEST
Learning the correct action and understanding how to activate the outside leg to achieve edge grip and pressure during your turns. We’ll show a great exercise to try at home or in the gym.
6. CORE STABILITY TEST
Becoming aware of core strength and how to keep it activated whilst skiing. This helps deal with the pressure that skiing puts through the middle of your body. We’ll give you some practical ski-specific exercises to try.
The simple fact is that for skiing specific movement ranges are required. Our findings demonstrate that the majority of skiers go to the mountains without these required ranges. If the range isn’t there off snow it won’t be there on snow! DRY LAND TRAINING gets you understanding these ranges and your body and gives you a clear direction to train toward in the run up to your next ski trip.
At the Ski Technique Lab we hope to educate people to go away and build these ranges but also encourage people to log the scores and keep in touch with the Academy so we can monitor your progress!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAIKzhgwBs0
For this year’s tour, we will be taking into consideration all Covid safe regulations and delivering the sessions accordingly. Full refunds will be delivered on evenings that may be cancelled and we will run replacement sessions on the same evening remotely over our social channels if this is the case.
The cost of the ‘3 Way Lineage’ lecture and ‘6 Way Foundation’ testing system, where you’ll be provided with the tools to build your own development program, is £25 per person for the evening. Each evening will run for approximately 1.5 hours and begin at 7pm.
Please visit our Eventbrite page here to book you place at one of our locations.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/warren-smith-ski-academy-17635690693
Concluding with an open Q&A session, this evening lecture allows keen skiers to hit the ground running ahead of the fast approaching winter season!
Please take a look at our venues below. Hopefully we will be coming to a town near you and you can make it along.
SKI TECHNIQUE LAB UK TOUR – OCTOBER 2020 DATES & VENUES
Oct 15th – Altimus Outdoor – London Kensington High Street- 7pm (Sold out)
Oct 16th – Finches Emporium – London – 7pm
Oct 19th – Ellis Brigham – Bristol – 7pm
Oct 20th – Solutions 4 Feet – Bicester – 7pm
Oct 21st – Ski Bartlett – London – 7pm
Oct 22nd – Snowfit Revolutionz – Norwich – 7pm
Oct 26th – Rivington Alpine – Bolton – 7pm
Oct 27th – Glide n Slide – Otley – 7pm
Oct 28th – Snow Lab – Eastbourne – 7pm
Oct 29th – Silksworth Ski Centre – 7pm
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/warren-smith-ski-academy-17635690693