Unit of competency details

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

1. Plan for a snowboarding activity.

1.1. Identify and plan food and water requirements  according to principles of nutrition  and the conditions  of the activity.

1.2. Identify an appropriate activity site or location according to contextual issues , relevant legislation  and organisational policies and procedures .

1.3. Determine possible hazards  associated with snowboarding in a variety of snow, terrain and weather conditions.

1.4. Access relevant sources  to interpret weather and environmental information  and determine activity plans.

2. Select appropriate equipment.

2.1. Select suitable equipment  after consideration of design and or construction features  and contextual issues, and check that it is in good working order.

2.2. Adjust and fit equipment, according to manufacturer's specification, to ensure comfort and safety .

2.3. Select personal clothing for activity according to the design and or construction features appropriate for the conditions.

3. Apply snowboarding skills.

3.1. Participate in pre-snowboarding warm ups and stretching exercises.

3.2. Combine snowboarding movements  to demonstrate efficient riding and different turn types , while maintaining a relaxed, upright stance.

3.3. Demonstrate linked turns through the fall line and controlled speed through turnshape .

3.4. Perform airs to show extension on take-off, stability in air and flexion on landing with balance throughout.

3.5. Demonstrate fakie turns on all groomed terrain through the fall line.

3.6. Execute flat land spins in both directions, maintaining a centred stance.

3.7. Approach hazards in a safe manner and minimise risks  to self and group where possible.

3.8. Take measures  to guard personal safety and safety of others  while snowboarding.

4. Evaluate snowboarding activity.

4.1. Evaluate relevant aspects  of the activity.

4.2. Identify improvements for future snowboarding experiences.

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• literacy skills to analyse, interpret and apply weather and environmental information, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures
• planning and organising skills to allocate and select relevant food, water, clothing and equipment for the snowboarding activity
• communication skills to interact with other participants to maintain a positive and safe environment
• problem-solving skills to:

• respond appropriately to changing conditions
• determine techniques to use when snowboarding in different conditions

• self management skills to review and reflect on own performance and set goals to improve technique
• first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to the location to enable initial response to emergencies and personal health care.

Required knowledge 

• legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct and legal access
• Alpine Responsibility Code and snowboarding practices, snowsport area signs and regulations, and minimal impact codes to ensure safety and protection of environment
• equipment types, characteristics and technology used for snowboarding, the advantages and disadvantages of the range of equipment, and factors affecting appropriate selection of equipment
• clothing requirements for outdoor activities and factors affecting appropriate clothing selection, such as layering and protective clothing
• snowboarding techniques, such as the blending of movements, execution of turns and jumping skills to demonstrate efficient riding
• principles of nutrition to maintain health and energy during activity
• basic weather and environmental information to ascertain possible conditions and their affect on the activity
• emergency procedures and potential hazards relevant to the location to ensure risk minimisation to self and group.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

Evidence of the following is essential:

• applies relevant process to plan equipment and supply requirements appropriate to the black run conditions and duration of the snowboarding activity
• demonstrates snowboarding techniques, such as flexion on landing, fakie turns and flat land spins in both directions
• practices a range of safe snowboarding manoeuvres such as linking moves and jumping, gliding and landing in a balanced and controlled manner while negotiating hazards
• evaluates and reflects on own snowboarding performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure participation in multiple snowboarding activities on advanced terrain to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

• a suitable snowsport location with advanced terrain, such as black runs, for snowboarding skills to be demonstrated
• resources and information, such as principles of nutrition and weather sources to accurately plan and prepare for the snowboarding activity
• equipment such as snowboards, bindings, boots, suitable clothing, goggles, lift pass, backpack or bumbag, and food and water.

Method of assessment 

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

• oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of snowboarding strategies and techniques
• observation of safe participation and demonstration of snowboarding skills, such as the execution of turns and speed control on black runs and the blending of skills
• third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

• SISONAV403A Navigate in uncontrolled environments
• SISOSKB408A Guide overnight snowboarding activities.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Food and water requirements  may include:

• range of foods:

• perishability
• packaging
• storage.

Principles of nutrition  may include:

• food groups
• dietary guidelines.

Conditions  may include:

• snow:

• surface snow conditions

• weather:

• visibility

• terrain.

Contextual issues  may include:

• weather conditions, including times
• season
• transport
• location
• trip distance and duration
• group objectives
• group size.

Relevant legislation  may include:

• occupational health and safety
• permits or permission for access
• environmental regulations.

Organisational policies and procedures  may include:

• occupational health and safety:
• use and maintenance of equipment
• communication protocols
• safety and emergency procedures
• code of ethics
• snowsport area signs and regulations
• Alpine Responsibility Code and snowboarding practices within the code.

Hazards  may include:

• temperature extremes
• slippery or unstable terrain
• dangerous animals and insects
• stinging trees and nettles
• dense vegetation
• group management hazards.

Relevant sources  may include:

• Bureau of Meteorology
• media
• land managers or agencies
• coastal patrol or coastguard
• volunteer marine rescue
• local knowledge.

Weather and environmental information  may include:

• satellite images
• daily and weekly forecasts
• maximum and minimum temperatures
• weather warnings
• event warnings
• river levels
• synoptic charts
• high and low tide predictions.

Equipment  may include:

• beanie
• board
• boots
• bindings
• wrist guards
• gloves
• sun glasses or goggles.

Design and or construction features  may include:

• side-cut
• overall length
• effective edge
• torsional flex
• stance width
• stance angle
• forward lean.

Comfort and safety  may include:

• height and weight
• boot type
• side-cut
• overall length
• effective edge
• forward lean
• stance width
• stance angle
• surfaces waxed.

Techniques  may include:

• relaxed, upright stance
• linked turns through the fall line
• controlled speed through turnshape
• airs to show extension on take-off
• stability in air
• flexion on landing
• fakie turns
• jumping
• gliding
• landing
• flat land spins in both directions
• edge control
• side-slipping with flexion-extension.

Movements  may include:

• pressure control
• steering
• edging.

Turn types  may include:

• skidded
• strong edged
• small radius
• medium radius
• large radius.

Shape of the turn  may include:

• complete
• closed or finished and incomplete
• open or unfinished.

Risks  may include:

• hypothermia
• heat exhaustion
• injuries
• exhaustion
• lost party or party member
• equipment failure.

Measures  may include:

• safe falling
• speed
• observation of winter weather conditions and terrain
• adequate clothing
• fluid and food intake
• complying with all snowsport area signs and regulations
• complying with Alpine Responsibility Code and snowboarding practices within the code.

Safety of others  may include:

• speed
• distance from other snow users.

Relevant aspects  may include:

• objectives
• planning process
• activity site
• weather
• equipment selection
• clothing selection
• food selection
• instructional content
• instructional technique
• directing techniques
• rescue techniques employed.