Expelled from one of Adelaide’s highly regarded colleges to now coaching snowboarding all over the world, I’ve seen and been a part of many different therapy and behavioural solutions.
Working on snow with youth of all different ages has allowed me to see changes in behaviour and mindset in as little as a two-hour snowboard lesson.
Here’s a few reasons why I think adolescents and teenagers can benefit from snowboarding.
.
Progression equals problem solving
Progression is fundamental to learning snowboarding, you learn how to strap on your board before learning to stand up, and learn to stand up before you go down the mountain. From snowboarding we learn progression and how to solve problems while achieving set goals.
As a child and teenager I went through many therapy sessions with psychologists and social workers, but the one thing I got the most out of was an adventure therapy program called True North Expeditions.
On True North, adolescents are sent out to the Flinders Ranges for 14 days and are given a series of challenges to work through.
What helped me the most on that camp was learning the skills of problem solving and communication. The positive and engaging environment allowed me to move into a positive headspace that helped me most when leaving the camp and going into the outside world.
Learning that positive headspace allowed me use that feeling when things were going wrong and ultimately guide me to become a better person. It wasn’t an instant fix, and nothing will be but these skills are crucial to the progression of teen behaviour and dealing with mental health issues.
5 years later, i’m on the other side working with teenagers on mountains all over the world and providing a similar experience to what I got from True North.
Youth become engaged through activities with progression like snowboarding. When our youth are engaged, they are in a much stronger mindset. Progression is a key to life. Learning step by step how to deal with challenges is such an important skill to have, whether it’s working out how to do your first turn, deal with teachers and parents, or handle any of the stressors that come with daily life.
Goals not ‘problems’
I’ve learnt through all my coaching, instructing and therapy training that energy can be a very powerful thing. The energy of being out there snowboarding is a great space for anyone to step into. In snowboarding nothing is viewed as a problem, just steps towards a goal. This creates a really positive mindset for children in all situations.
If many avenues have been explored, it may be an option to look outside the box and get our youth snowboarding, engaging in activities with positive people that can provide structured activities. A key part to self development is creating that positive space and the mountain can be the best place for someone who has struggled in school or on a therapist’s couch.
Focusing on the problem does not lead to a focus on progression. I reflect on the environment I’m asking for change in, before I ask for change.
Answers that create solutions
Being out on the slopes with coaches and friends can create a whole new book of answers for teenagers.
When I entered True North my book was full of answers that didn’t create a solution. I was not engaged with the people around me. A few days into that program I created more solution focused answers due to the environment, things like “what can I do better” and “what can I do to help?” were common.
An answer book can become more solution focused for youth when they’re engaged. A fun and enthusiastic snowboard coach changes the dynamics of what’s going on for them. Engagement like this can spark a new unconscious book of answers.
Travel for growth
There is no doubt I credit a lot of my self development as a youth to travel and being out of home, whether for a week or 6 months.
The experience of travel can change the outlook young people have on the world giving them experiences and engagements that they can take with them into adulthood.
One thing i’ve taken note of during camps is the change in attitude and mindset, campers are encouraged to look at personal relationships and seek answers.
Campers learn to adapt to many different situations both on and off the mountain embracing a sense of responsibility to their behaviour, creating a happy camper with a great attitude.
Environment impacts engagement
I’ve been exposed to many options to when it comes to therapy, dealing with behavioural issues and mental health. Outside the box thinking and alternative solutions have been the most effective for me and many other people I’ve worked with.
Engagement and progression has provided a lot of therapeutic success. We must take the responsibility to get youth engaged and not expect it. If a child is not engaged at school or the clinic, it may be the environment they are in.
The effect of being in a positive and engaging environment helped me with behavioural and mental health issues in my teenage years, and is something i’d love to see more of.
Snowboarding is an extreme sport, and safety is always number one on my list. If we can take youth into a sport where they’re in a safe and positive environment and using their energy to snowboard, we are always going to see positive outcomes.
