ZEP's Instructor Camps Announces 2018 Schedule
PRESS RELEASE: ZEP's Instructor Camps
Celebrating 10 Years
As much as mountain biking has grown and developed over the last decade, taking a mountain bike lesson is still a relatively new concept. Having a full-time career coaching mountain biking is an even more alien idea to the average person on the street.
In the late 90’s, mountain bike lessons barely existed. Today ZEP, our Whistler-based coaching and instructor training company, trains over 650 instructors all around the world, every year, through our Instructor Camps and the PMBIA Instructor Certification Courses. It’s been incredible to see the growth of mountain bike coaching with more companies and bike parks offering lessons, than ever before.
At ZEP, we’ve always viewed instructor training as a fundamental component to supporting and building the mountain bike industry. Along with trail building and advocation, mountain bike lessons and coaching have played a significant role in helping make our amazing sport more accessible, safer and more fun, to a huge amount of new and current riders, alike.
ZEP owner, Paul Howard, still coaching and training instructors after nearly twenty years. photo: bikeparkphotos
So, if riding bikes every day, hanging out with like minded people and seeing the faces of your students light up when they “get it”, sounds appealing, then maybe a career in coaching could be for you?
We are stoked to announce the ten year anniversary of our industry leading, multi-week instructor camps. These camps are the perfect jump-start to a career in mountain bike coaching. Our goal is pretty simple... to produce the best instructors possible while offering the mountain bike trip of a lifetime.
ZEP was proud to be the first company to offer these specialized training camps in the mountain bike industry, back in 2008. Today these camps are available in three and five week options and are the only camps in the world to include the PMBI Certification Courses from the world renowned and internationally recognized, Professional Mountain Bike Instructor Association.
Based in Whistler, riders train four days per week with our professional, highly certified coaches, while preparing for and taking the PMBI Instructor Courses. The camps will push your riding skills on the best trails in the world and also include additional training sessions on suspension set up, analysis and feedback skills, nutrition, plus strength and conditioning training.
Riding for a living is like anything worth striving for... hard work. But as the cliche goes; without risk there's no reward.
But wait, there’s more! Every instructor camp also includes…
Whistler Bike Park Season’s Lift Pass
Hiring Opportunities with Whistler Mountain Bike Park
Small group sizes for quality learning
Welcome Pack full of biking goodies from ZEP's sponsors
In Resort Rep is ZEP Camp's Owner! Customer service is our priority.
Optional Heli-Biking Trip on Rainbow Mountain
2018 Camp Dates
Three Week Camps: May 16th - June 6th, July 8th - 29th
Five Week Camps: May 16th - June 20th, July 8th - August 11th
Jo, killing it on some Whistler tech. She randomly signed up for the EWS Whistler race and placed 3rd in Amateurs. This girl has talent and ZEP was proud to offer her a coaching job for 2018! photo: Matt Gill
Rory had some amazing bike skills but being a good instructor involves so much more. Rory's ability to communicate clearly and relate to people, help make him an excellent coach. photo: Matt Gill
After a busy day riding and hanging with bears, it's good to refuel with a nutrition seminar from Squamish-based Origins Nutrition... coaching full time means keeping healthy and eating well is a big part of the equation.
Sam was cruising on the double black trails like Fade to Black, in no time. More importantly, his teaching skills were strong enough to coach other riders how to ride similar trails, safely. For a good coach, there's no point being able to shred if you can't help others shred! photo: bikeparkphotos
The five-week ZEP Instructor Training Camp crew from the U.K., Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands. This was an awesome crew and we were sad to see them leave! With their PMBI Certifications, they are set to teach all over the world.
ZEP Instructor Training Campers, getting their train on with correct rider spacing. Guiding skills, safety rules, class management and terrain choice are fundamental tools for instructors to manage risk effectively. photos: bikeparkphotos.
Riders train and prepare for the three-day PMBI Level 1 Instructor Course, during the three and five-week ZEP camps. Potential instructors can take the PMBI course without attending any ZEP camps or prior training; it's really up to each person's goals, aspirations and budget, as to what training pathways they take to becoming a coach.
It's not all bike park! The PMBI Courses certify instructors to teach in both lift-accessed bike parks and trail/cross country environments. This makes for more skilled, adaptable coaches. The ZEP camps prepare instructors for this with plenty of riding in Whistler Valley.
Whistler Alpine is stunning. Rory soaks in the views during a day off from training... it's not all hard work! photo: Matt Gill
Continuously learning, taking higher level certifications and pushing your riding, are key if you want to make a full-time career out of coaching. ZEP started a Junior Development Race Team in 2017 and the coaches are loving it!
Left: Morning reviews keep everyone progressing at their own pace. Right: Sam demonstrating during a practice teaching session.
ABOUT ZEP
Established in 2006, ZEP Mountain Bike Camps is Whistler's premier coaching and instructor training company. At ZEP we continually strive to offer the ultimate mountain bike learning and riding experiences through the industries finest instructors; those who train and certify other instructors.
ZEP was the first company in the industry to offer multi-week Instructor Training Camps. Today, these camps continue to offer the finest training for mountain bike instructors, including training for and participating in the industry-leading, internationally recognized Professional Mountain Bike Instructor Association Certification Courses, and exclusive job interviews with Whistler Mountain Bike Park. ZEP's goal is to produce the best instructors possible while offering the mountain bike trip of a lifetime.
ZEP is supported by: Transition Bikes, ANVL Components, FOX, Troy Lee Designs, EVOC, Five Ten, DT Swiss, MRP, & Bike Park Photos.
MENTIONS: @zeptechniques
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