speaker-0: Ride, teach, inspire. This is the Dropping Next podcast brought to you by the Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors. Hey, welcome back everybody to the Dropping Next podcast. I'm Rob Whalen and I'm here co-hosting alongside Jeff Chandler. Hey Jeff, how's it going?
speaker-1: Good, thanks Rob. How are you?
speaker-0: Very good. Glad to be here. We have another member bio type interview. Today we have Sam Zhu on the episode. Welcome to the show, Sam.
speaker-2: Hi guys. Hello Jeff. How are you guys?
speaker-1: Thanks.
speaker-0: So Sam started his journey with CASI in 2015, as far as I can gather, because I have access to the database and I looked you up. Is now a park two evaluator and in the process of becoming a level four evaluator. So definitely has a lot of insights and very embedded in the CASI community. He is based in the western part of Canada and does make the trek. back to China periodically to do some teaching on our international side as well. Hell of a rider. Like I said, a wealth of experience to share. So I am excited to get into this one here. So again, welcome Sam. ⁓ Let's start by going way back and just give us a brief history of what your childhood was like. Where did little Sam grow up?
speaker-2: So it's a little bit history. So my parents actually one from the North of China, one from the South, like they're very part of the way. So I get to travel, I guess I'm lucky, I get to travel in different cities when in like a child before I moved to Canada. So I have been moving a lot, uh, along my early age. so I have seen snow before. but I never skiing or snowboarding before in the North of China. And, in the South of China, that's where I, ⁓ have a lot of water sports happening because I'm near the ocean. It's hot. I went wearing slippers, wearing shorts. So, ⁓ so that's pretty much how I grew up in China before I come to Canada.
speaker-0: So your early intro to sports was, you said water sports, was that surfing or what kind of water sports?
speaker-2: ⁓ I would say like a mini surfing. you know, just like kids, you know, grabbing the board and try to stand, ⁓ in the water, in the waves. ⁓ I will say it's kind of like paddle boarding. would say similar is the much bigger board. have a much bigger platform to stands on and, ⁓ you know, it's the balancing support. Yeah.
speaker-1: Yeah, cool.
speaker-0: And when did you first step foot on snow?
speaker-2: I mean, with a snowboard or without a snowboard? Yeah. I first time stepping on a snowboard was in Canada and it was at Seymour mountain, even cooler. Yeah.
speaker-0: Well, maybe both.
speaker-1: Okay.
speaker-0: Was that after you moved here?
speaker-2: Yeah. After I moved to Canada, first time stepping on the snow actually is even, think maybe like two years old or three years old because I, I move a lot. even I was like a really, really young child. ⁓ because up in the North is very cold. It could get minus 30 ish degrees Celsius. So there are a lot of snow. Yeah. My parents would put me on a slide. and then they just like pull me around. So that's how far I can remember.
speaker-0: That's awesome. What year did you come to Canada?
speaker-2: ⁓ I came to Canada 2008.
speaker-0: 2008 and what to go to school?
speaker-2: ⁓ I actually jumped over a grid because of my age. So I went from grade seven in China. No, actually, I finished grade seven and then I went directly into grade 10. High school here.
speaker-1: Hello there. How old were you then when you came to Canada? I guess would be grade 7 age or grade 10 age, like 12.
speaker-2: Yeah, I think, yeah, 12-13 years.
speaker-1: Yeah. Yeah. Wow. Big change.
speaker-2: Big change, the biggest, the biggest difference I would say is the language barrier. I got put into a ESL class, which is like, you know, it's hard to get out. You guys never been there. You don't know how that feels. No. Yeah. It's, your, your, ⁓ your classmates with Korean, Japanese, Chinese, you don't, which they don't speak English at all. Right. And you have the, you have the teacher up in front. And she's or he's the only one speaks English. Right. And they demand you, demand you to speak English to your classmates. Right. It's kind of like, it's hard. Challenging. And I am lucky. I thought that was smart move. I moved myself out of the popular school. I moved myself to a small town, which there is no Chinese people.
speaker-1: Yeah.
speaker-2: living around, there's no Chinese student. So I put myself in a, like a harsh place to learn. Yeah. Yeah. And after one year, I'm good. I understand what people are saying. I start to speaking English to people. ⁓ yeah, the first year was fun. It's also tough. Yeah.
speaker-1: Total immersion. So when you say you moved yourself to, were you here on your own? Did your, did your whole family come or how did that work?
speaker-2: ⁓ I came here with my parents and they set me up with a, ⁓ what was it called? A, ⁓ homestay. Yeah. That's a good word. Like homestay. Yeah. And then I just pretty much on my own. Yeah. And occasionally they come over, check out with me. And then after three years, my mom came like permanently staying here. Right. Right. ⁓ yeah.
speaker-1: ⁓ well.
speaker-0: Wild. That must've been a huge learning opportunity or experience for you at that age. know Jeff and I both have kids that age. I can't imagine them moving to a foreign country where they don't speak the language and just, you know, learning how to live on their own. That's, ⁓ that's pretty wild. Insane. Well, fast forwarding, guess a couple of years, we're going to dig into, ⁓ your career on snow and teaching and coaching and,
speaker-1: So it's impressive.
speaker-0: I didn't actually know this, but again, Jeff and I were talking offline and he mentioned to me that you've got a background in freestyle ski coaching that got you started. ⁓ tell us about that. That's kind of cool.
speaker-2: Yeah. So, uh, when I start things on snow, I start with, uh, skiing. Uh, you know, it's just, I don't know. People are telling me it's easy to, uh, access to it's just easier for everything. Um, and, uh, that's where that's how I started in Cyprus, actually skiing at a bunny hill, like short bunny hill. And I still fall on my butt for like more than 40 times.
speaker-1: you
speaker-2: I even hit a snowmobile because I don't know how to turn. I just lay back and I hope ⁓ I don't hit the target and actually that took me directly into that snowmobile.
speaker-1: Yeah
speaker-0: Well, you know as a long time instructor that that's a common technique in both snowboarding and skiing is just to lay back and hope for the best. We all know that doesn't work.
speaker-1: Yeah.
speaker-2: ⁓ I know I know it. Yeah. ⁓ yeah. And then I, I just start skiing and, and then at a certain level, like doing the park and, you know, just doing the turns, ⁓ on groom run, I find that most of my friends, are snowboarders, especially my age. And it seems really fun. So I just, ⁓ start getting into snowboarding and then. In 2018 and 19, I joined a program. It's in the state. It's in America. It's called the high cascade camp. It's in Mountain Hood. And then I started to know the coaches. And then I think later on after half a year, the whole team got hired by a Chinese national team for freestyle skiing. ⁓ skiing cross freestyle, snowboarding, big air snowboarding, the whole package because of the 2022 Olympic games. Right. And I was hired by them. Be a part of member to, ⁓ handle the basic of, ⁓ translating, leading the team. Like there's like a team A and team B and most of the time the head coach will give the order like today is the outline for the day. So, okay, I'm going to deliver that job. It could be like, ⁓ you know, a tube day. It could be a jump day. You know, it could be like a half half. We're maybe watching, ⁓ we're training mentally for them, like by watching some, ⁓ you know, bomb whole show or, you know, podcast like us or like some X games, you know, doing those bunch of stuff. I have been done that for between two, so the 19 until. 2021 and then the Co-Way hits. There are only limited people that can go to the Olympic games. And then I was like, okay, I'm not the big guy. I'm just going to stay here in Canada, just mountain biking and do my stuff. that's my whole experience.
speaker-1: And during that time you were focused, like it was freestyle skiing, skiers that you were working with, is that right?
speaker-2: Yes, I was working with, ⁓ for example, ⁓ At that time, Eileen Gu, she's not that famous. So she's one of four team member. She, she, she have her own training program. She's not going with the team, but she will come occasionally. and, ⁓ actually our team head coach is her coach, like from, she's like 11 years old and until. I don't know, Olympic games. The head coach is also at the Olympic game as well. And his name is Jimmy Melton. He's quite a good coach. He taught me a lot. Nice. Yeah.
speaker-0: That's a really cool experience. did working with those sort high-end athletes with the, you know, high-end goals, Olympic goals, help you out in your own career?
speaker-2: ⁓ I think that's also, ⁓ creating who I am right now. I met John, I met Jeff like long time ago, Jeff, you know, me, I'm more like a direct person. like direct communication. Yeah. Sometimes it's very demanding. ⁓ And I think the experience of being a coach has done a lot of to that because, ⁓ is I don't think it's more about experience for the athletes. It's about to achieving their goal. And sometimes that comes with casualties, like for example, safety wise, would say safety wise being a coach is kind of like, it's not all in my hand. Sometimes the athletes has to be smart enough. have to know themselves better to control the dangers of committing to a trick or like a line. of choices for the tricks. So, I, I think the coach experience more helping me in like in the instructing field is that I can help you to achieve your goal based on your timeframe. And also I can lay out the dangerous side of it. Let's say if you want to learn a 360, yeah, I can pushing the goal. much earlier than your thoughts, but it comes with the price. ⁓ Could be. So I will, can definitely tell you what happened in my experience. So I think that helps me in my extracting field. Yeah.
speaker-0: Yeah, there's like a direct correlation there for sure. What about in your own progression as a rider? you, knowing how athletes think, has that helped you like progress in your own riding?
speaker-2: for my own writing, because I have seen so many injuries and, ⁓ I was lucky enough for past 10 years. didn't have like any broken bones, ⁓ until now. ⁓ So, ⁓ I, like I said, I know my limitations sometimes for, let's say for park. ⁓ I know the pathway is like trampoline first. And then if I have the assess, if I'm assessable for dry slope, will go dry slope and then a powder day and then hit the park.
speaker-0: Yeah, we're not talking about back ones here. We're talking about something a little bigger, right?
speaker-2: Yeah, I mean even for even for bike one, ⁓ we can still do it like much safer way than just like the ready go into the park. Yeah.
speaker-1: Straight to the jump.
speaker-0: So you do have a little boo-boo and people who know you might be wondering how your progress is going. So maybe just a quick couple words on that.
speaker-2: Well, that's, I put myself as a, think, I think is, ⁓ so what I happened is I broke my lower leg, ⁓ TBI and Fabula. and, ⁓ this is what happened when I tried to, gap a road. Why was Europe? ⁓ I wouldn't call it, a bad choice because I was so committed and, it's a big job. It's like over eight meters high. And it was a powder day though. But they definitely groomed the road, the catrack. That's where I land.
speaker-1: You landed on the non-powdery part. Yes.
speaker-2: ⁓ So the reason I commit to it because I after I achieved my ⁓ level four, which is like a big assignment and that's a lot of hard work put in. And after that, I think I need to pursue something else in snowboarding. So I started doing a free ride war tour ⁓ and that requires high speed riding. That requires style. That requires cliff jumping. And that will give you a better score, put you on the podium. So that's why I put some effort into the cliff jumping. And for me, think ⁓ getting injured is part of the snowboarding. It's not a big deal. After four months, I will come back and I'm still going to jump that cliff. And yeah, so I'm, I mean, like I learned a lot through the injury. I know my. Like I need to rest my body after a long period of writing. know I'm getting stronger mentally, I would say, because I think the hardest part is not the injury is not a pain. It's the time you spend at home to find something to do. Yeah.
speaker-1: ⁓ My son had a similar injury last year, two November's ago, he broke his tib fib and compound fracture. the hardest part was keeping him entertained for the months on the couch, the weeks and months on the couch, because it's just a lot of time to spend for an active person. The hardest part is probably mental, right? It's like not being able to do anything. Yeah.
speaker-2: Yeah, I'm so glad that your son came through and you guys are there with him. ⁓ Yeah, I have three cats. I have three cats.
speaker-1: Mm-hmm. They're keeping your company. exactly.
speaker-0: So Sam, what are some things that, like, I feel like there's some takeaway ⁓ advice that you could give to our fellow listeners who've been injured before. ⁓ You know, like you said, it's part of our sport. ⁓ I've been through it myself. And what can you tell people, ⁓ like how you've kept yourself busy? You mentioned some, you've become better mentally. ⁓ What are some things that you've been doing to... Well, keep yourself entertained, but also kind of mentally get yourself ready for the next step once you're healed up.
speaker-2: Yeah. I would say first day positive, ⁓ you know, like the experience I ever had, like if you, ⁓ ever come back, you're to be stronger a hundred percent, especially mentally. ⁓ the things that, ⁓ when you look at again, ⁓ you experienced the worst you ever had. So the only thing you're going to have in the future is better. and. Just stay positive. And second thing, ⁓ you know, just, ⁓ get yourself to, ⁓ listen to your doctor, listen to your physio therapist. They are the professional just do what they said. If you think you're capable of doing something else, just double check with them first. ⁓ because after you injured, people are trying to get up really quick and sometimes it could end up in the second injury. So, ⁓ slowly getting back.
speaker-1: Yeah.
speaker-2: Make yourself a plan. And, um, I would say third one is talk to your friends. Talk to family, walk your dog, even on a wheelchair. Yeah. Just to, uh, you know, just do your normal thing. If you, let's say for me, I cannot walk. Um, you know, I will just use crunches just to slowly walk to the gym, uh, slowly, you know, just to, uh, moving around, even in the house. Um.
speaker-1: Yeah. Ha ha ha.
speaker-2: Just do your normal thing. Don't think yourself are different than rest than before. saying. Yeah. I mean, watch movie, you know, just think about this time as a time that you finally get some days of rest. Yeah.
speaker-0: forced rest. You said, ⁓ walk your dog. I'm not, you said you have cats. I'm just picturing you stumbling through the neighborhood with three cats behind you.
speaker-1: I was gonna say that. Yeah, unconscious, yeah.
speaker-0: You're probably not doing that.
speaker-2: I actually, you know, like there's one day that there's my neighbor's dog, like came to my house and because I have a camera, I can see there's a doggy in front of my door. And I was like, I don't know whose dog is that. So I just kind of like hold the dog on my hand and use the crunches on my left and just to, you know, walk the dog and to see like if there anyone looking for the dog. And that was really fun.
speaker-0: It gave me something to do. Not to dwell on the injury too long, but you said you're going to go back to the cliff. So when you pull up to that road gap to get redemption, what's going through your head do you think?
speaker-1: Yeah, exactly. ⁓
speaker-2: I'm gonna go faster.
speaker-1: Yeah. ⁓
speaker-2: Yeah, I'm gonna go faster. And yeah, I'm gonna, you know, I actually I committed ⁓ last time, even I injured myself. ⁓ It's just, ⁓ it's a tricky place ⁓ because the landing area is very short. It's easy to overshot on another flat part, but which is powder though. So I have to manage my speed really well. I don't know, next year, ⁓ with the ⁓ metal in my leg, the leg is to be stronger, actually 10 % stronger, that's according to my doctor. ⁓ So I'm going to do my redemption, and then I'm going to send the video to you guys.
speaker-0: You
speaker-1: Yeah, that's good. Sick. Nice.
speaker-0: So coming back to the Cassie side of things, ⁓ I'm just kind of interested to hear a little bit about your own certification pathway. So level one in 2015, walk us through how you got to the level four.
speaker-2: Um, honestly, I think I consider myself going through level one to level three, uh, fairly quick. Um, I jumped into level four right after I took, I have my level three certifications. I think I have done it in three years or even less. Um, for me, I'm a guy I have taken, honestly, I have taken the level four exam many, many times. I've seen Jeff many, many times.
speaker-1: Meh.
speaker-2: And, ⁓ people, mean, I'm, I'm, I'm a guy that, ⁓ I don't consider failing the exam is a failure because I always learned a lot from the exam under high pressure. I'm the type of person that, ⁓ I cannot learn under light pressure. So no matter how much I practice, ⁓ or how much training I have, it doesn't translate. It doesn't transfer into the exam. So for me, my learning pathway is fall, fall down on my ass and go back to do it again. So right, right after level three, went to level four. ⁓ I think for me, the teaching part is diff is very hard. I would say for my own pathway. I, I failed my level two teach. I failed my level three teach a couple of times. I failed my level four teach a lot of times. So the writing part is easy. because I just, I like snowboarding. I was snowboarding all day long during the year.
speaker-0: Well, a lot of people like snowboarding and can't pass the level 4 exam. Did you nail that one first go?
speaker-1: Yeah.
speaker-2: ⁓ level four exam. Writing is that no, I, I, I passed it. I think on my third. Yeah. In, ⁓ Lake Louise. Nice. Yeah. Which I, I, I doubt myself. I, I don't even know if I passed or not because I left early, ⁓ before they announced the result. I remember that. Yeah. And Jeff sent me a text. It's like, Hey Sam, congratulations.
speaker-0: ⁓ writing exam.
speaker-2: I was like, ⁓ man, I should try it back.
speaker-1: Yeah. Well, I can say, just sort of watching you go through the process that it was pretty enlightening for me too. And I remember a conversation you and I had after, you know, it was probably one of your teaching exams or pet exams. I was, I've always, I've always sort of hated the process of having to give out results, unsuccessful results on the high level exams. And I was kind of, I think you would probably been to a number of exams at this point and I was kind of dreading the conversation with you of, you know, letting you know that you're unsuccessful again, but you were really, ⁓ it was amazing. Your feedback to my feedback was like, great, I'll see you next time and I'll learn from this one and I'll be at the next exam. And it was really cool for me to see that as well because like I said, it was pretty enlightening on your process and how you never let the whole process get you, ⁓ know, discourage you. And you treated every failed exam, you treated as another step forward. So I think there's a lot of lessons in that for sure.
speaker-2: Yeah, ⁓ I have to say that I'm lucky because I have you guys that, you know, just there to support me. ⁓ the feedback, I mean, for the first couple of times, I don't understand at all. ⁓ because I know there's a gap between two achieving the level four, but the last couple of times, I totally get it because at that time I'm also become an evaluator, but I want that with you. So I definitely, I can feel how it feels in your shoe. And, ⁓ and I know when I'm there, I'm Yeah. And, I have to say, I'm just lucky to have you guys there too. You know, Jeff, Jane, Adam, you know, all the top guys in Cassie. I've been in with exam with them. think each of them. Yeah. Yeah.
speaker-1: Yeah. Yeah, at this point. Yeah. No, it was cool to watch.
speaker-0: That's one of the cool things about getting to that level is you know everybody, so that's like a blessing and a curse maybe. don't know. It's like, these are my friends and it's like really cool to be a part of this and ride with them. But my friends are also the ones who are responsible for, well, they're not responsible for failing. They get to give you the news that you failed, but they also get to give you the news when you pass, is really cool.
speaker-1: Yeah.
speaker-2: When they see me pass, still remember each one of them hugged me. They feel really excited when I pass. It was very emotional when I passed.
speaker-1: Well, I think that's one of the maybe the misconceptions about, I mean, you're an evaluator too and Rob you as well, but you know, we want to see people be successful and we're not in it to see people be unsuccessful. That's not the reason and there's no, you know, there's no reason for people to, for Cassie as an association to, to, you know, have any sort of quotas or anything like that. ⁓ you know, you said something interesting Sam about when you finally did pass the teaching, you understood like when you got there, you knew you were there. I've been working on, less so these days, but over the years on the Level 4 program for a long time. And one of the things that we say a lot about the process and watching people go through it is that, you know, it sounds a little, maybe it sounds a little bit harsh, but if you don't understand why you aren't there, that's kind of the reason why you aren't there and why you didn't pass. And that learning happens through experience. And when you do get it, there's probably a good chance that you knew, right? That was a good lesson. ⁓ I understand why I didn't get that one or understood why that one did pass and it's, it's all part of the process. Yeah. Yeah. ⁓
speaker-2: course.
speaker-0: Some really killer stuff there for folks in the level three, four process. are going to eat that up. That's great. Thanks for sharing, Sam. So speaking of being an evaluator, let's talk a little bit about your experience evaluating. What's your, I should rewind a little bit. I talked to Jen before the episode and she gave me a few questions that would be good to ask you. This is one of them.
speaker-1: Don't get discouraged.
speaker-0: ⁓ What's your favorite part about being an evaluator?
speaker-2: Get to see new people, get to encourage people to continue their pathway. No matter is about Cassie or is about something else. Just keep snowboarding. ⁓ don't get frustrated when you fall on your butt or when you fall, when you fail your exam, just, just keep going. Just yeah, that's the, that's the most exciting part for me to, ⁓ you know, running the exams. Just. Sharing things will boss no warning.
speaker-0: I said in your intro that you're based in the Western part of Canada. ⁓ Do you have a home mountain? you in the city? Did you say Seymour?
speaker-2: Cypress? I would say Grouse Mountain and Cypress would be my home mountain. ⁓ That's where I did my low one with Cassie. That's where I started to make my first left and right. ⁓ Yeah, that's where I meet most of my snowboarding buddies and skiing buddies. Just, you know, so much memories here. Yeah, that's enough to call it home mountain.
speaker-0: Okay. Perfect. I love that. And where is your favorite place to teach courses?
speaker-1: ⁓
speaker-2: ⁓ that's a tough question. Gotcha. Yeah, it's a really tough one. I would say...
speaker-0: It a multi-part answer, I know mine would be.
speaker-2: I will say, ⁓ I like to go overseas. ⁓ I like to see different resort. would say one choice is to go overseas in different countries, ⁓ to teach courses. The other one I will say, ⁓ I was a Waisler. ⁓ Waisler first is easier to access from where I live. And also is a big mountain. You'll just have so much more options you can explore. ⁓ You can select your terrain. You can even choose the snow conditions because it's very high attitude. ⁓ Yeah, and I would say those two.
speaker-0: That's really cool. It's an interesting, I never really thought about you can select the snow conditions on a big mountain coming from the east. We have some variants from top to bottom, but not like a mountain like Whistler does. That's cool.
speaker-1: Well, yeah.
speaker-2: Nice.
speaker-0: ⁓ well, we're almost rounding out our first little block of questions. One more here, ⁓ before we get into our pallet cleanser, scrolling through your Instagram. was trying to not dig up some dirt, but just, you know, learn a little bit more about you. We've only met once in person. So, ⁓ I like to educate myself on the guests and I'm scrolling through your Instagram and it's snowboarding top to bottom. There's nothing else in there. ⁓ Surely you have there was one rock climbing post that I remember seeing when you posted it your first time climbing it all these Calluses and your hands were bleeding I had a chuckle to myself when I saw that because I climb a fair bit and I was like, ⁓ boy That looks like the first time anyway, my question is ⁓ What what else? Gets your motor running what else? What are your other interests outside of snowboarding or is that it?
speaker-2: ⁓ I, ⁓ I mountain bike. ⁓ I started mountain biking, ⁓ during the COVID time. ⁓ like, seven times a week.
speaker-1: Really?
speaker-0: Yeah.
speaker-2: Yeah.
speaker-0: Where's all the mountain biking posts?
speaker-1: Yeah.
speaker-2: I didn't have, well, mean, like mountain biking, if, mean, it's hard to, ⁓ you know, we do it unless you put on your helmet. And, after I learned from a friend that he, ⁓ he kind of like broke his jaw because there's a camera like here and he thinks that's the reason calls it. So I just start recording my mountain biking videos. ⁓ but I do mountain bike a lot. I. I, um, I think I have been to all the trails, um, in Vancouver area in Waisler and, I spent two seasons at the bike park in Waisler, uh, during COVID time. And, I didn't clear the A lines yet. Well, it's a famous line, um, but I have been hitting those jumps and, uh, have been sending people to hospital a lot. Yeah. Like even the nurse in Wester hospital knows me like, Hey Sam, you again. Luckily you didn't injured. Yeah, that's, that's a very dangerous sports. and when the cold wave ends, I just kind of like stop mountain biking and, ⁓ that's about month backing. then I used to serve, like about eight years ago, I spent two seasons in Taiwan.
speaker-1: I'm
speaker-2: in summer just to surf, just to enjoy the ocean and the beach. And the other sports, I don't I don't know if it's called sports. I used to be a competitive player for radio games before snowboarding. I almost represent North America to China. to, ⁓ there's a kind of like a show, like a festival. I don't know if it's called WCG or something, ⁓ just to, you know, to compete. ⁓ when I was in high school, ⁓ between high school, transit to college. So I spent every day at home.
speaker-0: But it might be controversial to call it a sport.
speaker-1: E-sports, that what they call it? E-sports. I'm totally aging myself here with this.
speaker-0: It was featured in the X games at one point. I don't know if it still is. don't think so. So there you go. Okay. Multi-talented.
speaker-1: So. That's cool, I didn't know that.
speaker-2: Yeah. It's a, yeah, I'm just, uh, once I, I will say once I'm into a sports, I'm just very committed to it. I just sounds like it.
speaker-1: There's a lot of mountain bike trails between Vancouver and Whistler. if you've done all of them, that's, that's pretty wild.
speaker-2: I have done, I have done all of them. have, talk to the trail builders. ⁓ like what's your secret run? What's your secret, run you ever, you don't put on the trail. ⁓ the app. ⁓ so they have shown me those as well. ⁓ of course I, I donate money to support them as well. and, ⁓ yeah, it's, I still do mountain biking. still have two bikes I haven't sold yet in my garage. Just sometimes I do like, just, like to pedal up. I don't go crazy. Yeah. No, because I, don't ride that much anymore. Sorry.
speaker-1: Yeah. The consequences, the dirt doesn't give like the snow does sometimes, I know.
speaker-2: Yeah. No, I, well, it's not just the dirt. Yeah. The trees. ⁓ yeah, but it's really fun. I, I, I would definitely, if have kids, I would definitely start them young. ⁓ it's just get their body, ⁓ muscle memories building up. I mean, for me, I'm 30, I'm 34. I think sometimes it's just hard for me just to, ⁓ try a bald move.
speaker-1: You lost the rock
speaker-2: Like snowboarding.
speaker-1: Tell me about it Sam. Tell me about it. I'm not 34.
speaker-0: would like to be a 34 year old man.
speaker-1: Exactly. If I could go back to being 34.
speaker-0: Are you more for big fast downhill lines, sketchy North Shore, rooty stuff, or pedaling enduro trails?
speaker-2: I, where's first starting it. I'm definitely like, I like errors. Yeah. like. Yeah. You know, I, I, if you see my posts, do trampolines as well. ⁓ that I was considering that as a training is that like sports, I trampoline just to get air awareness for mountain biking and also snowboarding. So it's just getting myself prepared in the air.
speaker-0: Picking out.
speaker-1: This is tough.
speaker-2: ⁓ so yeah, mean, mountain biking is a different level. I will say that snowboarding the excitement as well. Like if I do a straight on a mountain bike, it gets me the same amount, even more assignment than bike flipping a jump on snowboard.
speaker-1: Yeah, really fun.
speaker-0: Cool, well we're coming into the season so I think you should get back on the bike.
speaker-2: I'm on my bike, I'm on the stationary bike.
speaker-1: Yeah, I was gonna say, yeah, it's part of the rehab. ⁓
speaker-0: Sweet. Well, we're into our palate cleansers here. This is a little series of questions that are just kind of for fun and ⁓ maybe a little less deep than what we've been doing, just as a little reset before we hit the backside of our episode. ⁓ Question one, best trick in snowboarding.
speaker-2: ⁓ it gotta be, ⁓ rodeo 5. Hell yeah.
speaker-0: You're one out of three on this show right now who can do that? Yeah. Yeah, let's do it. Let's do it. Let's have a challenge next year, ⁓ Okay. Question two. If your snowboard could talk to you, what would it say?
speaker-1: Yeah, exactly.
speaker-2: I would say, I think the snowboard will tell me, give me a few days to rest. ⁓
speaker-1: Okay. Yeah. Put me away for a while. Yeah.
speaker-0: ⁓ Cool, and before you cased yourself earlier this winter, what was your go-to setup? What were you riding?
speaker-2: ⁓ well, that's a tough question. ⁓ I'm going to have a choice between Jones and Solomon. ⁓ I have been a nitro writer for over eight years and I'm still writing nitro as well. ⁓ mostly for park. And, ⁓ at this moment, because I'm writing, ⁓ off-piste a lot, especially doing some jumps, ⁓ cleave jumps. I'm choosing like a little bit more stiffer board and also a little bit longer board, slightly heavier board. So that's why I'm getting into Solomon and also Jones. ⁓ and that's what I have been writing for last year.
speaker-0: What models from those three brands? I'm guessing Team Pro on the Nitro.
speaker-2: Exactly. ⁓ team pro full setup, team pro boots. ⁓ I'm still writing the team pro boots, ⁓ team pro boots and team pro banding, team pro board. It has been my setup for over eight years. and for drones, I'm writing the howler, which is a new model just released last year. ⁓ the reason I'm writing it because, ⁓ I'm buying into Victor Delouroux is the champion of Rare World Tour and he's his signature board. So I'm riding that board. It's a heavy board, it's a stiffer board, it's meant to go fast. If you go slow on the board, it's going to ease you.
speaker-1: Yeah.
speaker-2: ⁓ it's a good board. ⁓ and for Solomon, I'm writing the, ⁓ assassin pro. It's kind of like a mix between, ⁓ old mountain free writing and a little bit freestyle. and, ⁓ I haven't tried that board yet. I was about to when I go to China, but because of my injury, it got canceled. So I'm going to start writing that board. Hopefully in August because I'm still planning to go to snowboarding in South America in August So I'm gonna put that board on my feet and I will get back to you about how I feel about that board
speaker-1: about it.
speaker-0: Hey, this is kind of random and we're drifting away from the pallet cleanser, I was, yeah, I know you as a bit more of a park rider, but you also like love to lay trenches. Like I've seen some videos of you carving and you kind of, I'm wondering like where your heart really is at. Cause he can, he seems like you can do all of it.
speaker-2: Well, it's a long story. I'm just going to try to keep it. I wasn't a park rider ⁓ actually before level four exams. I ski park, but I'm not a really big, Jeff know that. ⁓ And ⁓ I have done a lot of carving lessons while I'm approaching the exams. And then I feel like the examiner are tired of seeing that. So it's myself presenting it. And, so I just, ⁓ start doing something else. I start just, you know, get, try to practice on my part because I feel like all the time I have seen through the exam is like, most people are weak in the park. You know, if I can put down big tricks, if I know how to do it properly, I have something to teach. At least I have something that, ⁓ They probably wants to know and answer to your question first. I call first. I'm a cover and then I started doing bumps and then I started doing park. Park was the last. So that's kind of the process got me here.
speaker-0: Well, that's really interesting to hear you say that. ⁓ I won't dig into my personal experience too much here, ⁓ training in the park. Let me just ask you the question. Getting better in the park, how did that affect all of the other tasks for the riding exam?
speaker-2: ⁓ I think it's kind of like a one plus one above two thing. If you are, I mean, for me as an instructor, not a coach, I think for me, my discipline is I need to be good at anything. No matter is off piste, park or carving. And, ⁓ with all those things added up together, it only benefits me. I don't see any, ⁓ comes from it. And I highly encourage people to go out of your comfort zone to try it because I have been there and I know it's going to benefit you in the long run.
speaker-1: For sure. Yeah.
speaker-0: Definitely. I agree. Sweet. Okay, let's cruise through the backside of our episode here. What was a key turning point in your progression, either in your writing or your teaching career or both?
speaker-2: ⁓ I think the turning point, it may sounds a little bit, ⁓ weird. would say is that, ⁓ my, always my goal is trying to train or, ⁓ coaching high level athletes or high level, ⁓ instructors. It, the first day when I'm taking my level one exams. I told them, like the evaluator normally asked me, Hey, why are you taking the course? I was like, I want to become you to training people that's know how to snowboard. And, ⁓ so that'll be my turning point. So all the hard work I have put in because I want to train the people that can snowboard. And in order to do that, I want to make sure I want to make sure myself. Can able to deliver that. demo wise, knowledge wise, presenting wise, like everything. I want to be, ⁓ you know, just to be a better instructor that's capable to run all the training, run all the exams. So I think the first goal I ever set in my mind is the turning point for myself.
speaker-1: you
speaker-0: That's really cool. From day one, you knew you wanted to train other people. So you trained yourself all along the way just so that you could do that. That's cool. You had your long-term plan right from the beginning.
speaker-1: Mm-hmm.
speaker-2: I mean, it seems cool. The reason I took Cassie because I saw the elevator. Oh, I like that writing style. That looks cool. And then I was like, I want to become her. Actually, my level one instructor is Melanie. And I think she's still working at Cypress part-time. every time I see her, I was like, hey Melanie, you changed my, I would say over 60 % of my career.
speaker-1: Yeah.
speaker-0: That's a shout out. Nice one, Sam. And Cassie is cool. So you should keep telling people that.
speaker-1: You
speaker-2: That's what I've been doing.
speaker-1: Yeah.
speaker-0: It's in all of our best interests. ⁓ So along the way, as you became the instructor you wanted to be, what were some of your struggles that you had to overcome?
speaker-2: I think the most struggle I ever come is, um, it's the steel same question. think being instructor, I had been, so I started working at Grouse mountain first year, part-time second year. I was considered full-time. put him in the part-time, but I worked a lot. So all the lessons I ever had, most of them 95 % is never ever. It's like they cannot. make turns, they cannot do blue runs. So the first two years I was like, okay, that's not what I want. So I quit. And I even argued with my supervisor. I was like, this is not what I'm standing up for. Look, I'm a level two instructor and I can do better than this. It was like, no, you don't have experience. And at that time I don't get it. Honestly. So I was like, okay, I'm going to stop doing it. And then I took my level three exam. I passed my level three and, ⁓ and during that time, the, ⁓ the director of Cypress came to me. It was like, Hey, Sam, I noticed you. Why don't you come over working as a trainer at Cypress? So that's where I started working as a trainer right away. Not being an instructor. So I started my trainer role in Cypress for part-time about six years. And then. And I'm also free to teach students regularly. Let's say if someone denied my private lesson, they come to the snow school and ask for me. And that's where I start become a evaluator. So it's kind of like a mixed job, like part-time trainer, part-time evaluator. And at that moment I feel like, okay, I achieved my goal. That was quick. And then I was like, okay, there's higher level. There's level four. Okay. I got to do it too. So I started going through that. So yeah. And then I was like, I feel like I'm really lucky that I can do what I love and what I have been always pursuing in the last decade, I think.
speaker-0: I don't love the word luck because I don't think there's any luck involved here. You made your own luck and that's how you got to where you're at. Looking back on it with what you know now, was that snow school director right to keep you in those lower level lessons?
speaker-2: ⁓ honestly, well, I'm just going to be in straightforward. would say you could pick, put me in the kind of like a mixed. Yeah. Right. Like some beginner lessons, some like leading the camp, because sometimes I request, okay, I want to lead this camp for six weeks, like from ever, ever. And then I can turn them into like a blue run writers. So. At that time, I didn't have that opportunity to be able to do that. So I would say I definitely need a hundred percent need the experience of teaching never ever. And that's, that's the fundamental. That's the knowledge I need to know. And I need to experience a lot with that. And also, you know, there. I'm not the director. If I become the director, I definitely will also suit. the personality or the characteristics of the instructor. Some instructors, they like where they are. They like teaching kids. They like having fun with kids. For me, you know, I'm not a good guy teaching kids. If I have a choice between teenager and kids, I definitely go to the teenagers. ⁓ I like their energy on the snow. So I would say...
speaker-1: hehe
speaker-2: If I had that role, I would definitely split like maybe 80%, 20 % the job that can give to me.
speaker-1: Yeah.
speaker-0: Good answer. ⁓ So along the way, you've mentioned some of this already, but I'm just curious as you leveled up over the years, who were some key people? It's your time to give some shout outs. Key people that helped you level up.
speaker-2: ⁓ I have to shout out to this guy, ⁓ his legal name is, ⁓ Robert Junkass. He has been my mentor. ⁓ sometimes, I mean, I was in early twenties at that time, like 24 and, I went through some wrong directions. ⁓ I, have, tend to do things crazy. ⁓ I'm not afraid to come up front with anyone at that time. I just, ⁓ I want to say what I say. ⁓ at a certain point I, I crossed with Bob and, well, his, his age could be my dad, honestly. So instead of like, instead of like. Demanding me to do things he guiding me, he's guiding me through and he tells me why we are doing this way. And if you're doing this way, you can achieve your goal. because I can see you have the potential. He always trusted me. think that's the most important thing. I think it's hard to find people that's not your family, but also put faith in you. And I remember when I go through the level four process, he's the trainer and he understand he's getting aged. He understand that he's probably not at the level four writing level, but he's always there. If I... You know, he's the trainer. He could have excuse to not come, but he's always there. That inspires me. inspires all the trainees in the group. And, ⁓ yeah, I just feel like I met, I met a friend, a mentor that is going to last lifelong. Yeah. He's, I would say he's the most important guy.
speaker-0: That's amazing, Sam. That was really touching. I know Bob's going to like to hear that. there's a reason he's in our Hall of Fame.
speaker-1: ⁓
speaker-2: He has, I mean, I don't know, he has done, ⁓ because you guys are not from Vancouver area, he has done a lot of, ⁓ things that's, ⁓ inspired me. And I, kind of like, because I learned that from him, I learned the way how he talks. I learned the way how he treats people, especially in snowboarding industry. you know, just a little thing. He pick up. garbage on the snow if he sees some. many people does that and I learned that from him and if I see garbage on the snow I will pick it up. So he's just amazing person that's all I can say.
speaker-1: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, that's very cool. you know, Bob has a, has such a long history. mean, I could, I could consider Bob as one of the, one of the, when I was up and coming as well. I mean, this is how far back Bob, Bob's history with Cassie goes, but pre, pre Cassie, right? Like he, he was around before Cassie even existed. And, and, and when I was in my early days as an evaluator, Bob was, was always around and continues to serve the association now as a member of our board of directors and has been there for, you know, it's well over a decade. He's done a couple different stints as a board member and he's done a lot for snowboarding and not just in the Vancouver area, but nationwide,
speaker-2: Yeah, it's pretty cool.
speaker-1: Yes. Nice.
speaker-0: Cool. That was a bit of a mic drop. I find one of the hardest things with hosting this podcast is getting ready for the next question. That one was so inspiring. I kind of just want to leave it there, but we have more stuff to talk about.
speaker-2: Well, there are so many people in Kelsey helped me. Okay. ⁓ for example, ⁓ I would say Adam Gardner, ⁓ Milan J, ⁓ Jenny B, if I pronounce her name right, it's hard. ⁓ Jeff. Okay. All those people have seen me grow up in the process and they all been there with me every year. gave me advice gave me the right path to go through and I mean for my career that helps so much and I just want you guys to know that like The read I mean even it's exam the results by the end is not is not matter that much the most it's kind of like I get the recognition from you guys Okay, even it's a system, but
speaker-1: Hmm.
speaker-2: It's people right? The people I met, the people I've been going through for years. Yeah, so I was like, I choose the right path, I choose the right career. That's how I felt it. know, family. ⁓
speaker-1: Yeah.
speaker-0: That's really good. Yeah, the Cassie family. ⁓ So piggybacking on that, I have another question, guest question from Jen here, who you just mentioned. You've spent some time doing some free ride, world tour stuff. And Jen was interested to hear ⁓ how Cassie played a role in shaping. ⁓ Well, she didn't use the word fundamentals, but your background and how, you know, did it help you get to that level in your writing?
speaker-2: Well, I think for Cassie, I think there's one important thing about the style of Cassie is that, ⁓ the style of Cassie is able to write anywhere. and we, especially with this year, there's a big mountain course dropped in and, ⁓ that start involving even a little bit higher level of free writing or off piece writing. And that's builds up a strong fundamental for me. to approach to the, ⁓ the games to the free ride world tour games. Like if you, if I, I've seen a lot of competitors, ⁓ they, they are pretty, I don't know, like when they're seeing moguls, when they're seeing big icy moguls, only thing they're doing is side sleeping. But for me, I can make turns. See like that's, that's where the Cassie technique playing a big part of free riding. And, ⁓ and it opened doors. Let's say, ⁓ if you kind of like become the instructor, Cassie instructors, you build up the fundamentals. It opens the doors for you to explore free riding, to explore a free ride war tour or even powder riding or cliff, or there are just so many options, just not just free riding, a free ride war tour.
speaker-1: Yeah.
speaker-2: So that's I it.
speaker-1: It's interesting. It's cool to hear you say that because that's in, you know, over the years that at least that I was involved on the technical side. That's very, that's been an intentional kind of focus, right? To make sure that our, technique is adaptable across the entire mountain. what's cool right now is snowboarding is seeing like a real, you know, the, of the cool stuff when you go online with snowboarding these days, it's very specific, right? Like very specific to carving technique or park technique or. ⁓ And we've always, I've always felt really strongly that our technique, as far as an instructor teaching a student, it should be adaptable to different parts of the mountain. And a high level instructor should be able to adapt to those techniques or be able to use those techniques, whether you're, you know, sitting at the top of a park or at the top of a tree run or the top of a groomer. so it's cool to see that that sort of has been the case for you as well.
speaker-2: Yeah. And, ⁓ from different perspective, like from my friends, from the students I ever had, and also the candidates, most people are saying that Cassie, the style of Cassie riding is, ⁓ is an all terrain vehicle.
speaker-1: So it's a mountain bike, not the road bike. Yeah. No, not at all. Not at all. Yeah. Yeah.
speaker-2: Was that a car? It's just a good fundamental for free writing. Definitely.
speaker-0: And speaking of free riding in my deep dive of your social media, I saw a picture of you with Big Mountain Jeremy Jones. I'm like fanning out a little bit. ⁓ that's cool. got to meet Jeremy Jones. Did you get to chat with him at all? Or was it just like, ⁓ this is Jeremy Jones. I'm going to grab a quick pic and be on your
speaker-2: Yeah, well at that time I was writing Nitro. So, but he's a great guy. I also met his doctor along on his side because he was there to ⁓ with his doctor to compete and asked him like ⁓ what links of the board should I write for free writing and look at my video. This is the turns I make. Should I make bigger turns? Should I go faster? How can I score higher? Yeah. He's a legend in free riding and hiking. So, um, and he gave me a lot of tips and, he's a great guy. He's, he's, he's always open mind to share his thoughts. and he also gave me, uh, advice like, okay, Sam, I don't think you should try the 360 here because there are more chance you're going to sit, you're going to fall on your butt. that's going to dog mark. rather, I rather have you to do like a straight air with some grab. So those things change my strategy a lot. So like, for example, ⁓ when I go compete strategy always comes first. Now the biggest trick, now the style. Yeah. If you complete the run, you already beat 25 % of the competitors because at least 25 % will fall on their butt.
speaker-1: you you
speaker-2: So and the other thing is like the line choice is like you don't have to hit the biggest line Just make it look smooth right make it like a like a playground make people think you're having fun and You see like those little points that I have to you know compete a lot to have those sort of experience But he's open mind to share It's great experience. I don't know if I'm going to see him again this summer because normally he's going to South America every year.
speaker-1: Right. Yeah.
speaker-0: that's pretty cool. You got to talk board tech with Jeremy Jones. a legend. So we talked a little bit about mental prep, but listening to your story more and learning about you ⁓ throughout this episode, I just keep thinking about what your mental preparation strategy is. Whether you're going into a free ride event or an exam or
speaker-1: Thank you.
speaker-0: Even teaching a level 3 module or something like that, you need to mentally get your head in the game for any of those things. What's your process there?
speaker-2: I have two mindsets. So let's say, if I say the first, the one you mentioned, if I going through a level three teaching module, being an evaluator, my mindset is do whatever I can. ⁓ of course, following the protocols to deliver the best course, try to answer the question clearly. Like a yes or no question instead of like, ⁓ let me think about it. you know, like. because I want the candidates to learn the most from the course and in my ability. And that's my mindset. Answer their old questions. If I cannot answer their questions, that's my fault. That's my mindset. Because if I want to be the best trainer, I should be able to answer that. Or I at least find the correct answer for them. I can ask people like more experienced like Jeff or Bob or Jane. wherever, right? ⁓ that's my mindset. And for doing the exam and for competing, ⁓ my mindset would be, ⁓ I'm going to beat them all. That's my mindset. ⁓ Like I don't, I don't care what people think about me. I'm just going to be me. And if I only have one shot.
speaker-1: Yeah
speaker-2: And I don't want to regret. don't want to listen to people. I'm kind of like a little bit stubborn, like even I'm competing, like I, when I look at the line, I got to do that line no matter what. So I'm like almost a hundred percent committed. Yeah.
speaker-0: Getting to be 100 % committed is not something you decide when you're on the top of a slope though. So I guess what I was sort of digging for there is like how like before going into event do you prepare yourself so that when you get on the hill you can give it 100%.
speaker-2: Of course, I'm doing everything I can beside work to get myself prepared. ⁓ for example, I'm, ⁓ every day after I snowboarding, after a teach day of lessons, I normally, I would do like five K of running or 10 K of running. ⁓ I either do in the morning or in the afternoon after work. So that's kind of like training my endurance. So for example, like the, ⁓ free world war tour run. Normally is between one minute to two minutes and 30 seconds. And I will put myself on a running track to run to max mount my speed in those time frame. So that's how I felt. And during those time frame, I'm going to, you know, try to jump over things, try to use my strings. So that's kind of like simulate the same level of, ⁓ intensity of doing the competitions. And also, for example, going to the exams, I will ask Bob, I will ask my trainers to just to tell me directly, just to give me the bad words, give me the things that I need to work on. Don't tell me positive things. I don't need them. So those, those are the dedications I put in. I don't need the encouragement. know I can, I encourage myself too much.
speaker-1: Yeah
speaker-2: So I just need people to ⁓ you know beat my ass and tell me yeah, okay. This is what you need to improve on
speaker-0: There is no PTT in your process.
speaker-1: In the other hand
speaker-2: You know, you don't know how many times I failed that session ⁓ on the result sheet. But I'm really good. You know, what doesn't kill me, make me stronger. So.
speaker-1: Yeah. Yeah, that's right. Well, I do remember your early teaching exams, just thinking back on some of your, mentioned feedback and I do remember your early teaching style was very direct. Yeah. Might've even been a little bit drill Sargeant-y. Do this, do that, do this, do that. That's right. Yeah. mean, it's, yeah, yeah. It's about being, recognizing what's the most effective, right? So, yeah.
speaker-2: And that could hurt people's feelings. I remember people come to me after, like, hey Sam, was I that bad?
speaker-1: Yeah.
speaker-2: Yeah, it was, experience, right? Like I need those periods. I, that's something that I'm definitely missed in my early age of teaching. And, ⁓ I do suffer from it as well. And, ⁓ and I understand that I could take the negative feedback or direct feedback, but for a lot of people that's hard for them. Yeah. And yeah.
speaker-0: Well, that's why it's a process to get to where you're at, right? And you learn these things along the way and you became adaptable. Now you can do both. ⁓ So what's your career trajectory at this point? So you said you're 34. You've got like easily another 34 years of this. What, like where, where do you want to take things?
speaker-2: Career wise, my career, think next year I need to finish my last puzzle or become a level four evaluator. Uh, that's one thing definitely on the checklist. The second thing is I still want to compete. think for the next couple of years, at least I want to be, um, there there's, there's a couple level of the free level tour. Uh, maybe not on the TV, but I want to be. You know, just one step away from being on TV, that final stage. and also I want to, ⁓ keep going with my social account, ⁓ sharing tips about snowboarding. ⁓ I, I think everyone have their own opinion or tips about snowboarding. So that's something that I want to continue to do. And I have comments like, no, I I do it different way. I said, okay, I got to try it. So that's another way for me to keep growing my skill. ⁓ And another thing is I'm going to try to do a double on the airbags. At least on the airbags, on the dry land slope. And then one day I can bring it to the snow. And that's pretty much for the, like this, that will be my life trick. ⁓ Yeah. And, I, I would say career wise, will still go, I'll still be, ⁓ a Casey evaluator. Like winter at the core area out west, ⁓ summer, if I get chance, I can still travel to South America also to run course in China. ⁓ or even somewhere else if there's opportunity comes. Yeah. And another big goal is inter-ski. So I think it's two years from now or one year. One year from now, I'm going to get myself prepared. I'm going to do another tryout. ⁓ Yeah. So those are among my checklist.
speaker-1: Yeah. Yeah. Sorry. The next tryout will be two years from now. Interski is one year. So the next tryout will be a year after that. So two years from now. Yeah. You have more time. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That's cool. Nice.
speaker-2: ⁓ that's great. My bonway
speaker-0: Well, one of the ways we can see that you're deeply embedded in snowboarding, I'm to have to ask this question again. My dog's going nuts. Let's just pause this for a second. Hold on. I'll be right back.
speaker-1: Yeah. No worries.
speaker-0: Hey, come here.
speaker-1: We got to leave this part in. Is your dog seriously named Burton?
speaker-0: ⁓ Yeah. So one of the ways, Sam, that we know that you are deeply embedded in the snowboard world is your goggle tan.
speaker-1: I was looking at that, you still got it. Even with the injury, you still got it.
speaker-2: still have a
speaker-0: So what's the secret? you a tanning bed with the goggles on or is it natural?
speaker-2: Well, I I try to cover my face really well especially this year because of the work I have to ⁓ I I think is more respectful to put my mask down when I speak with people and Sometimes I put my mask down. I just like leave there
speaker-1: and ⁓
speaker-2: Yeah, and I don't have like, you know, a habit of putting on sunscreen. So like, because I think I have the masks, you know, like that will do a perfect job. So I just kept it like, just lower my lips most of the time. And that's where that kind of like a joker, like hand.
speaker-1: Yeah, that's what...
speaker-2: I'll get it.
speaker-0: It's a good look.
speaker-1: Nice.
speaker-2: I don't grow that much of beer like you guys. It's like... Yeah, if I have that beer, man, I will keep that beer.
speaker-1: Hahaha While you're still young, you'll get there. Your beard days are coming.
speaker-0: white whiskers one of these days. So Sam, what do you see as your role in the snowboard industry or the community, be it in Cassie or beyond?
speaker-2: I would say, I will still say the same. Like there are people asking me this before. I'm thinking about like, I'm a person that keep pushing people into snowboarding or even skiing. ⁓ or I can push people to, you know, getting certified. It's not, it's not a matter of become to, ⁓ become an instructor or not. It's the experience you learn snowboarding in a different perspective. And, ⁓ let's say if people just come in to do the course, like, okay, I just want to having fun because my friend that telling me that I was like, yeah, why not? You know, level three is more fun. You should try that. And I just keep going like level four is the ultimate fun. You know, so that's normally what I tell people is like, you don't have to become an instructor. to do this, ⁓ just enjoy the sports. So that's kind of like the things I'm going to pursue for next decade, pushing people into the industry and, ⁓ sharing my tips about how I write. Yeah, that's, and, ⁓ and sometimes, ⁓ let's say because I highly involved with Cassie for last 10 years, like, for example, like people go through high level exams. Some people. They are frustrated after a couple of tries. Just like me before. And sometimes they just, they message me like in social media, like, Hey Sam, this evaluator sucks. He treat me unfair. was like, who is that? I asked them first. was like, okay. You know, I know him. He's a good person. You know, it's like we're actually evaluator. We're not taking this personally. Unless you slap him in the face.
speaker-1: So... Unless you make it personal, yeah.
speaker-0: That's a person.
speaker-2: So like where this is just our job, like think of us as a robot. Okay. We're, we're, we're, we're just doing things that follow the rules in our best knowledge to help you. We want you to pass. So for me, I'm kind of like that bridge when there's a Mr. Understanding showing up because I know right now the Chinese market is growing tremendously and. Sometimes I, I kind of like have to, ⁓ like talk to people about what is Cassie and why the exam seems a little bit harder. Why the way we teach, why the way, how we teach and, ⁓ it's just, takes time. It takes time and, yeah, that, will be, I think that will be my role for next few years.
speaker-0: Well, you spoke really highly of Bob and a few others.
speaker-2: And I
speaker-0: It kind of strikes me in that whole conversation there that you're going to be someone else's Bob. You probably already have been. ⁓ So that's really cool to kind of hear you talk about where you see your role taking ⁓ on that side of things as you progress in your career. That's really great. ⁓
speaker-2: it.
speaker-0: Those are all the questions that I sort of had. We've gone into detail on a lot of them, even more so than I expected, which was amazing. Jeff, did you have anything else that you wanted to ask Sam before we sign off here?
speaker-1: No, that was really cool. learned, ⁓ I learned some more about every time I have a conversation with you, I learned more cool stuff. So that was pretty neat. So thanks very much, Sam.
speaker-0: ⁓ Sam, you mentioned your tips and you're sharing online. ⁓ Where can people find you?
speaker-2: ⁓ they can, I only do it right now on a red note, red book and also a tick tock. Those are the biggest platform, social media platform, ⁓ in China, ⁓ because he is in Mandarin. So in the future, ⁓ I'm thinking about posting some tips also on, ⁓ Instagram as well. ⁓ Just to share my thoughts. I could be wrong. I could be right. It's just Just my thoughts as well ⁓ And I find that by doing it I benefit from people questioning me and when they question me, that's the chance I'm gonna get better So exactly
speaker-1: ⁓ Self-reflection is good, right?
speaker-0: Yeah, for sure. And what are the handles for Red Note and TikTok so people can search you up?
speaker-2: ⁓ okay, so there are two Chinese characters. So in English it's called Sam Snowboarding, but the snowboarding that word is translated into Mandarin. Yeah. ⁓ I can send you a message to Casey. And then you will show on your...
speaker-0: We'll flash it.
speaker-1: Yeah. Okay. Sweet.
speaker-0: Nice, well Sam, thanks again for taking the time to chat with us today. That was a really insightful conversation. really enjoyed getting to know you better. That was awesome. I can't wait to share this with the membership. ⁓ Everybody, thanks for tuning into the episode. Be sure to hit us up with a review. ⁓ If you have anything you want to chat with us on, suggestions, topic suggestions. Please email us podcast at cassie-acms.com. Thanks again, and we'll see you on the next episode.
speaker-1: Thanks.
speaker-2: ⁓ Thank you guys. Thank you so much.
speaker-1: Good, thanks Rob. How are you?
speaker-0: Very good. Glad to be here. We have another member bio type interview. Today we have Sam Zhu on the episode. Welcome to the show, Sam.
speaker-2: Hi guys. Hello Jeff. How are you guys?
speaker-1: Thanks.
speaker-0: So Sam started his journey with CASI in 2015, as far as I can gather, because I have access to the database and I looked you up. Is now a park two evaluator and in the process of becoming a level four evaluator. So definitely has a lot of insights and very embedded in the CASI community. He is based in the western part of Canada and does make the trek. back to China periodically to do some teaching on our international side as well. Hell of a rider. Like I said, a wealth of experience to share. So I am excited to get into this one here. So again, welcome Sam. ⁓ Let's start by going way back and just give us a brief history of what your childhood was like. Where did little Sam grow up?
speaker-2: So it's a little bit history. So my parents actually one from the North of China, one from the South, like they're very part of the way. So I get to travel, I guess I'm lucky, I get to travel in different cities when in like a child before I moved to Canada. So I have been moving a lot, uh, along my early age. so I have seen snow before. but I never skiing or snowboarding before in the North of China. And, in the South of China, that's where I, ⁓ have a lot of water sports happening because I'm near the ocean. It's hot. I went wearing slippers, wearing shorts. So, ⁓ so that's pretty much how I grew up in China before I come to Canada.
speaker-0: So your early intro to sports was, you said water sports, was that surfing or what kind of water sports?
speaker-2: ⁓ I would say like a mini surfing. you know, just like kids, you know, grabbing the board and try to stand, ⁓ in the water, in the waves. ⁓ I will say it's kind of like paddle boarding. would say similar is the much bigger board. have a much bigger platform to stands on and, ⁓ you know, it's the balancing support. Yeah.
speaker-1: Yeah, cool.
speaker-0: And when did you first step foot on snow?
speaker-2: I mean, with a snowboard or without a snowboard? Yeah. I first time stepping on a snowboard was in Canada and it was at Seymour mountain, even cooler. Yeah.
speaker-0: Well, maybe both.
speaker-1: Okay.
speaker-0: Was that after you moved here?
speaker-2: Yeah. After I moved to Canada, first time stepping on the snow actually is even, think maybe like two years old or three years old because I, I move a lot. even I was like a really, really young child. ⁓ because up in the North is very cold. It could get minus 30 ish degrees Celsius. So there are a lot of snow. Yeah. My parents would put me on a slide. and then they just like pull me around. So that's how far I can remember.
speaker-0: That's awesome. What year did you come to Canada?
speaker-2: ⁓ I came to Canada 2008.
speaker-0: 2008 and what to go to school?
speaker-2: ⁓ I actually jumped over a grid because of my age. So I went from grade seven in China. No, actually, I finished grade seven and then I went directly into grade 10. High school here.
speaker-1: Hello there. How old were you then when you came to Canada? I guess would be grade 7 age or grade 10 age, like 12.
speaker-2: Yeah, I think, yeah, 12-13 years.
speaker-1: Yeah. Yeah. Wow. Big change.
speaker-2: Big change, the biggest, the biggest difference I would say is the language barrier. I got put into a ESL class, which is like, you know, it's hard to get out. You guys never been there. You don't know how that feels. No. Yeah. It's, your, your, ⁓ your classmates with Korean, Japanese, Chinese, you don't, which they don't speak English at all. Right. And you have the, you have the teacher up in front. And she's or he's the only one speaks English. Right. And they demand you, demand you to speak English to your classmates. Right. It's kind of like, it's hard. Challenging. And I am lucky. I thought that was smart move. I moved myself out of the popular school. I moved myself to a small town, which there is no Chinese people.
speaker-1: Yeah.
speaker-2: living around, there's no Chinese student. So I put myself in a, like a harsh place to learn. Yeah. Yeah. And after one year, I'm good. I understand what people are saying. I start to speaking English to people. ⁓ yeah, the first year was fun. It's also tough. Yeah.
speaker-1: Total immersion. So when you say you moved yourself to, were you here on your own? Did your, did your whole family come or how did that work?
speaker-2: ⁓ I came here with my parents and they set me up with a, ⁓ what was it called? A, ⁓ homestay. Yeah. That's a good word. Like homestay. Yeah. And then I just pretty much on my own. Yeah. And occasionally they come over, check out with me. And then after three years, my mom came like permanently staying here. Right. Right. ⁓ yeah.
speaker-1: ⁓ well.
speaker-0: Wild. That must've been a huge learning opportunity or experience for you at that age. know Jeff and I both have kids that age. I can't imagine them moving to a foreign country where they don't speak the language and just, you know, learning how to live on their own. That's, ⁓ that's pretty wild. Insane. Well, fast forwarding, guess a couple of years, we're going to dig into, ⁓ your career on snow and teaching and coaching and,
speaker-1: So it's impressive.
speaker-0: I didn't actually know this, but again, Jeff and I were talking offline and he mentioned to me that you've got a background in freestyle ski coaching that got you started. ⁓ tell us about that. That's kind of cool.
speaker-2: Yeah. So, uh, when I start things on snow, I start with, uh, skiing. Uh, you know, it's just, I don't know. People are telling me it's easy to, uh, access to it's just easier for everything. Um, and, uh, that's where that's how I started in Cyprus, actually skiing at a bunny hill, like short bunny hill. And I still fall on my butt for like more than 40 times.
speaker-1: you
speaker-2: I even hit a snowmobile because I don't know how to turn. I just lay back and I hope ⁓ I don't hit the target and actually that took me directly into that snowmobile.
speaker-1: Yeah
speaker-0: Well, you know as a long time instructor that that's a common technique in both snowboarding and skiing is just to lay back and hope for the best. We all know that doesn't work.
speaker-1: Yeah.
speaker-2: ⁓ I know I know it. Yeah. ⁓ yeah. And then I, I just start skiing and, and then at a certain level, like doing the park and, you know, just doing the turns, ⁓ on groom run, I find that most of my friends, are snowboarders, especially my age. And it seems really fun. So I just, ⁓ start getting into snowboarding and then. In 2018 and 19, I joined a program. It's in the state. It's in America. It's called the high cascade camp. It's in Mountain Hood. And then I started to know the coaches. And then I think later on after half a year, the whole team got hired by a Chinese national team for freestyle skiing. ⁓ skiing cross freestyle, snowboarding, big air snowboarding, the whole package because of the 2022 Olympic games. Right. And I was hired by them. Be a part of member to, ⁓ handle the basic of, ⁓ translating, leading the team. Like there's like a team A and team B and most of the time the head coach will give the order like today is the outline for the day. So, okay, I'm going to deliver that job. It could be like, ⁓ you know, a tube day. It could be a jump day. You know, it could be like a half half. We're maybe watching, ⁓ we're training mentally for them, like by watching some, ⁓ you know, bomb whole show or, you know, podcast like us or like some X games, you know, doing those bunch of stuff. I have been done that for between two, so the 19 until. 2021 and then the Co-Way hits. There are only limited people that can go to the Olympic games. And then I was like, okay, I'm not the big guy. I'm just going to stay here in Canada, just mountain biking and do my stuff. that's my whole experience.
speaker-1: And during that time you were focused, like it was freestyle skiing, skiers that you were working with, is that right?
speaker-2: Yes, I was working with, ⁓ for example, ⁓ At that time, Eileen Gu, she's not that famous. So she's one of four team member. She, she, she have her own training program. She's not going with the team, but she will come occasionally. and, ⁓ actually our team head coach is her coach, like from, she's like 11 years old and until. I don't know, Olympic games. The head coach is also at the Olympic game as well. And his name is Jimmy Melton. He's quite a good coach. He taught me a lot. Nice. Yeah.
speaker-0: That's a really cool experience. did working with those sort high-end athletes with the, you know, high-end goals, Olympic goals, help you out in your own career?
speaker-2: ⁓ I think that's also, ⁓ creating who I am right now. I met John, I met Jeff like long time ago, Jeff, you know, me, I'm more like a direct person. like direct communication. Yeah. Sometimes it's very demanding. ⁓ And I think the experience of being a coach has done a lot of to that because, ⁓ is I don't think it's more about experience for the athletes. It's about to achieving their goal. And sometimes that comes with casualties, like for example, safety wise, would say safety wise being a coach is kind of like, it's not all in my hand. Sometimes the athletes has to be smart enough. have to know themselves better to control the dangers of committing to a trick or like a line. of choices for the tricks. So, I, I think the coach experience more helping me in like in the instructing field is that I can help you to achieve your goal based on your timeframe. And also I can lay out the dangerous side of it. Let's say if you want to learn a 360, yeah, I can pushing the goal. much earlier than your thoughts, but it comes with the price. ⁓ Could be. So I will, can definitely tell you what happened in my experience. So I think that helps me in my extracting field. Yeah.
speaker-0: Yeah, there's like a direct correlation there for sure. What about in your own progression as a rider? you, knowing how athletes think, has that helped you like progress in your own riding?
speaker-2: for my own writing, because I have seen so many injuries and, ⁓ I was lucky enough for past 10 years. didn't have like any broken bones, ⁓ until now. ⁓ So, ⁓ I, like I said, I know my limitations sometimes for, let's say for park. ⁓ I know the pathway is like trampoline first. And then if I have the assess, if I'm assessable for dry slope, will go dry slope and then a powder day and then hit the park.
speaker-0: Yeah, we're not talking about back ones here. We're talking about something a little bigger, right?
speaker-2: Yeah, I mean even for even for bike one, ⁓ we can still do it like much safer way than just like the ready go into the park. Yeah.
speaker-1: Straight to the jump.
speaker-0: So you do have a little boo-boo and people who know you might be wondering how your progress is going. So maybe just a quick couple words on that.
speaker-2: Well, that's, I put myself as a, think, I think is, ⁓ so what I happened is I broke my lower leg, ⁓ TBI and Fabula. and, ⁓ this is what happened when I tried to, gap a road. Why was Europe? ⁓ I wouldn't call it, a bad choice because I was so committed and, it's a big job. It's like over eight meters high. And it was a powder day though. But they definitely groomed the road, the catrack. That's where I land.
speaker-1: You landed on the non-powdery part. Yes.
speaker-2: ⁓ So the reason I commit to it because I after I achieved my ⁓ level four, which is like a big assignment and that's a lot of hard work put in. And after that, I think I need to pursue something else in snowboarding. So I started doing a free ride war tour ⁓ and that requires high speed riding. That requires style. That requires cliff jumping. And that will give you a better score, put you on the podium. So that's why I put some effort into the cliff jumping. And for me, think ⁓ getting injured is part of the snowboarding. It's not a big deal. After four months, I will come back and I'm still going to jump that cliff. And yeah, so I'm, I mean, like I learned a lot through the injury. I know my. Like I need to rest my body after a long period of writing. know I'm getting stronger mentally, I would say, because I think the hardest part is not the injury is not a pain. It's the time you spend at home to find something to do. Yeah.
speaker-1: ⁓ My son had a similar injury last year, two November's ago, he broke his tib fib and compound fracture. the hardest part was keeping him entertained for the months on the couch, the weeks and months on the couch, because it's just a lot of time to spend for an active person. The hardest part is probably mental, right? It's like not being able to do anything. Yeah.
speaker-2: Yeah, I'm so glad that your son came through and you guys are there with him. ⁓ Yeah, I have three cats. I have three cats.
speaker-1: Mm-hmm. They're keeping your company. exactly.
speaker-0: So Sam, what are some things that, like, I feel like there's some takeaway ⁓ advice that you could give to our fellow listeners who've been injured before. ⁓ You know, like you said, it's part of our sport. ⁓ I've been through it myself. And what can you tell people, ⁓ like how you've kept yourself busy? You mentioned some, you've become better mentally. ⁓ What are some things that you've been doing to... Well, keep yourself entertained, but also kind of mentally get yourself ready for the next step once you're healed up.
speaker-2: Yeah. I would say first day positive, ⁓ you know, like the experience I ever had, like if you, ⁓ ever come back, you're to be stronger a hundred percent, especially mentally. ⁓ the things that, ⁓ when you look at again, ⁓ you experienced the worst you ever had. So the only thing you're going to have in the future is better. and. Just stay positive. And second thing, ⁓ you know, just, ⁓ get yourself to, ⁓ listen to your doctor, listen to your physio therapist. They are the professional just do what they said. If you think you're capable of doing something else, just double check with them first. ⁓ because after you injured, people are trying to get up really quick and sometimes it could end up in the second injury. So, ⁓ slowly getting back.
speaker-1: Yeah.
speaker-2: Make yourself a plan. And, um, I would say third one is talk to your friends. Talk to family, walk your dog, even on a wheelchair. Yeah. Just to, uh, you know, just do your normal thing. If you, let's say for me, I cannot walk. Um, you know, I will just use crunches just to slowly walk to the gym, uh, slowly, you know, just to, uh, moving around, even in the house. Um.
speaker-1: Yeah. Ha ha ha.
speaker-2: Just do your normal thing. Don't think yourself are different than rest than before. saying. Yeah. I mean, watch movie, you know, just think about this time as a time that you finally get some days of rest. Yeah.
speaker-0: forced rest. You said, ⁓ walk your dog. I'm not, you said you have cats. I'm just picturing you stumbling through the neighborhood with three cats behind you.
speaker-1: I was gonna say that. Yeah, unconscious, yeah.
speaker-0: You're probably not doing that.
speaker-2: I actually, you know, like there's one day that there's my neighbor's dog, like came to my house and because I have a camera, I can see there's a doggy in front of my door. And I was like, I don't know whose dog is that. So I just kind of like hold the dog on my hand and use the crunches on my left and just to, you know, walk the dog and to see like if there anyone looking for the dog. And that was really fun.
speaker-0: It gave me something to do. Not to dwell on the injury too long, but you said you're going to go back to the cliff. So when you pull up to that road gap to get redemption, what's going through your head do you think?
speaker-1: Yeah, exactly. ⁓
speaker-2: I'm gonna go faster.
speaker-1: Yeah. ⁓
speaker-2: Yeah, I'm gonna go faster. And yeah, I'm gonna, you know, I actually I committed ⁓ last time, even I injured myself. ⁓ It's just, ⁓ it's a tricky place ⁓ because the landing area is very short. It's easy to overshot on another flat part, but which is powder though. So I have to manage my speed really well. I don't know, next year, ⁓ with the ⁓ metal in my leg, the leg is to be stronger, actually 10 % stronger, that's according to my doctor. ⁓ So I'm going to do my redemption, and then I'm going to send the video to you guys.
speaker-0: You
speaker-1: Yeah, that's good. Sick. Nice.
speaker-0: So coming back to the Cassie side of things, ⁓ I'm just kind of interested to hear a little bit about your own certification pathway. So level one in 2015, walk us through how you got to the level four.
speaker-2: Um, honestly, I think I consider myself going through level one to level three, uh, fairly quick. Um, I jumped into level four right after I took, I have my level three certifications. I think I have done it in three years or even less. Um, for me, I'm a guy I have taken, honestly, I have taken the level four exam many, many times. I've seen Jeff many, many times.
speaker-1: Meh.
speaker-2: And, ⁓ people, mean, I'm, I'm, I'm a guy that, ⁓ I don't consider failing the exam is a failure because I always learned a lot from the exam under high pressure. I'm the type of person that, ⁓ I cannot learn under light pressure. So no matter how much I practice, ⁓ or how much training I have, it doesn't translate. It doesn't transfer into the exam. So for me, my learning pathway is fall, fall down on my ass and go back to do it again. So right, right after level three, went to level four. ⁓ I think for me, the teaching part is diff is very hard. I would say for my own pathway. I, I failed my level two teach. I failed my level three teach a couple of times. I failed my level four teach a lot of times. So the writing part is easy. because I just, I like snowboarding. I was snowboarding all day long during the year.
speaker-0: Well, a lot of people like snowboarding and can't pass the level 4 exam. Did you nail that one first go?
speaker-1: Yeah.
speaker-2: ⁓ level four exam. Writing is that no, I, I, I passed it. I think on my third. Yeah. In, ⁓ Lake Louise. Nice. Yeah. Which I, I, I doubt myself. I, I don't even know if I passed or not because I left early, ⁓ before they announced the result. I remember that. Yeah. And Jeff sent me a text. It's like, Hey Sam, congratulations.
speaker-0: ⁓ writing exam.
speaker-2: I was like, ⁓ man, I should try it back.
speaker-1: Yeah. Well, I can say, just sort of watching you go through the process that it was pretty enlightening for me too. And I remember a conversation you and I had after, you know, it was probably one of your teaching exams or pet exams. I was, I've always, I've always sort of hated the process of having to give out results, unsuccessful results on the high level exams. And I was kind of, I think you would probably been to a number of exams at this point and I was kind of dreading the conversation with you of, you know, letting you know that you're unsuccessful again, but you were really, ⁓ it was amazing. Your feedback to my feedback was like, great, I'll see you next time and I'll learn from this one and I'll be at the next exam. And it was really cool for me to see that as well because like I said, it was pretty enlightening on your process and how you never let the whole process get you, ⁓ know, discourage you. And you treated every failed exam, you treated as another step forward. So I think there's a lot of lessons in that for sure.
speaker-2: Yeah, ⁓ I have to say that I'm lucky because I have you guys that, you know, just there to support me. ⁓ the feedback, I mean, for the first couple of times, I don't understand at all. ⁓ because I know there's a gap between two achieving the level four, but the last couple of times, I totally get it because at that time I'm also become an evaluator, but I want that with you. So I definitely, I can feel how it feels in your shoe. And, ⁓ and I know when I'm there, I'm Yeah. And, I have to say, I'm just lucky to have you guys there too. You know, Jeff, Jane, Adam, you know, all the top guys in Cassie. I've been in with exam with them. think each of them. Yeah. Yeah.
speaker-1: Yeah. Yeah, at this point. Yeah. No, it was cool to watch.
speaker-0: That's one of the cool things about getting to that level is you know everybody, so that's like a blessing and a curse maybe. don't know. It's like, these are my friends and it's like really cool to be a part of this and ride with them. But my friends are also the ones who are responsible for, well, they're not responsible for failing. They get to give you the news that you failed, but they also get to give you the news when you pass, is really cool.
speaker-1: Yeah.
speaker-2: When they see me pass, still remember each one of them hugged me. They feel really excited when I pass. It was very emotional when I passed.
speaker-1: Well, I think that's one of the maybe the misconceptions about, I mean, you're an evaluator too and Rob you as well, but you know, we want to see people be successful and we're not in it to see people be unsuccessful. That's not the reason and there's no, you know, there's no reason for people to, for Cassie as an association to, to, you know, have any sort of quotas or anything like that. ⁓ you know, you said something interesting Sam about when you finally did pass the teaching, you understood like when you got there, you knew you were there. I've been working on, less so these days, but over the years on the Level 4 program for a long time. And one of the things that we say a lot about the process and watching people go through it is that, you know, it sounds a little, maybe it sounds a little bit harsh, but if you don't understand why you aren't there, that's kind of the reason why you aren't there and why you didn't pass. And that learning happens through experience. And when you do get it, there's probably a good chance that you knew, right? That was a good lesson. ⁓ I understand why I didn't get that one or understood why that one did pass and it's, it's all part of the process. Yeah. Yeah. ⁓
speaker-2: course.
speaker-0: Some really killer stuff there for folks in the level three, four process. are going to eat that up. That's great. Thanks for sharing, Sam. So speaking of being an evaluator, let's talk a little bit about your experience evaluating. What's your, I should rewind a little bit. I talked to Jen before the episode and she gave me a few questions that would be good to ask you. This is one of them.
speaker-1: Don't get discouraged.
speaker-0: ⁓ What's your favorite part about being an evaluator?
speaker-2: Get to see new people, get to encourage people to continue their pathway. No matter is about Cassie or is about something else. Just keep snowboarding. ⁓ don't get frustrated when you fall on your butt or when you fall, when you fail your exam, just, just keep going. Just yeah, that's the, that's the most exciting part for me to, ⁓ you know, running the exams. Just. Sharing things will boss no warning.
speaker-0: I said in your intro that you're based in the Western part of Canada. ⁓ Do you have a home mountain? you in the city? Did you say Seymour?
speaker-2: Cypress? I would say Grouse Mountain and Cypress would be my home mountain. ⁓ That's where I did my low one with Cassie. That's where I started to make my first left and right. ⁓ Yeah, that's where I meet most of my snowboarding buddies and skiing buddies. Just, you know, so much memories here. Yeah, that's enough to call it home mountain.
speaker-0: Okay. Perfect. I love that. And where is your favorite place to teach courses?
speaker-1: ⁓
speaker-2: ⁓ that's a tough question. Gotcha. Yeah, it's a really tough one. I would say...
speaker-0: It a multi-part answer, I know mine would be.
speaker-2: I will say, ⁓ I like to go overseas. ⁓ I like to see different resort. would say one choice is to go overseas in different countries, ⁓ to teach courses. The other one I will say, ⁓ I was a Waisler. ⁓ Waisler first is easier to access from where I live. And also is a big mountain. You'll just have so much more options you can explore. ⁓ You can select your terrain. You can even choose the snow conditions because it's very high attitude. ⁓ Yeah, and I would say those two.
speaker-0: That's really cool. It's an interesting, I never really thought about you can select the snow conditions on a big mountain coming from the east. We have some variants from top to bottom, but not like a mountain like Whistler does. That's cool.
speaker-1: Well, yeah.
speaker-2: Nice.
speaker-0: ⁓ well, we're almost rounding out our first little block of questions. One more here, ⁓ before we get into our pallet cleanser, scrolling through your Instagram. was trying to not dig up some dirt, but just, you know, learn a little bit more about you. We've only met once in person. So, ⁓ I like to educate myself on the guests and I'm scrolling through your Instagram and it's snowboarding top to bottom. There's nothing else in there. ⁓ Surely you have there was one rock climbing post that I remember seeing when you posted it your first time climbing it all these Calluses and your hands were bleeding I had a chuckle to myself when I saw that because I climb a fair bit and I was like, ⁓ boy That looks like the first time anyway, my question is ⁓ What what else? Gets your motor running what else? What are your other interests outside of snowboarding or is that it?
speaker-2: ⁓ I, ⁓ I mountain bike. ⁓ I started mountain biking, ⁓ during the COVID time. ⁓ like, seven times a week.
speaker-1: Really?
speaker-0: Yeah.
speaker-2: Yeah.
speaker-0: Where's all the mountain biking posts?
speaker-1: Yeah.
speaker-2: I didn't have, well, mean, like mountain biking, if, mean, it's hard to, ⁓ you know, we do it unless you put on your helmet. And, after I learned from a friend that he, ⁓ he kind of like broke his jaw because there's a camera like here and he thinks that's the reason calls it. So I just start recording my mountain biking videos. ⁓ but I do mountain bike a lot. I. I, um, I think I have been to all the trails, um, in Vancouver area in Waisler and, I spent two seasons at the bike park in Waisler, uh, during COVID time. And, I didn't clear the A lines yet. Well, it's a famous line, um, but I have been hitting those jumps and, uh, have been sending people to hospital a lot. Yeah. Like even the nurse in Wester hospital knows me like, Hey Sam, you again. Luckily you didn't injured. Yeah, that's, that's a very dangerous sports. and when the cold wave ends, I just kind of like stop mountain biking and, ⁓ that's about month backing. then I used to serve, like about eight years ago, I spent two seasons in Taiwan.
speaker-1: I'm
speaker-2: in summer just to surf, just to enjoy the ocean and the beach. And the other sports, I don't I don't know if it's called sports. I used to be a competitive player for radio games before snowboarding. I almost represent North America to China. to, ⁓ there's a kind of like a show, like a festival. I don't know if it's called WCG or something, ⁓ just to, you know, to compete. ⁓ when I was in high school, ⁓ between high school, transit to college. So I spent every day at home.
speaker-0: But it might be controversial to call it a sport.
speaker-1: E-sports, that what they call it? E-sports. I'm totally aging myself here with this.
speaker-0: It was featured in the X games at one point. I don't know if it still is. don't think so. So there you go. Okay. Multi-talented.
speaker-1: So. That's cool, I didn't know that.
speaker-2: Yeah. It's a, yeah, I'm just, uh, once I, I will say once I'm into a sports, I'm just very committed to it. I just sounds like it.
speaker-1: There's a lot of mountain bike trails between Vancouver and Whistler. if you've done all of them, that's, that's pretty wild.
speaker-2: I have done, I have done all of them. have, talk to the trail builders. ⁓ like what's your secret run? What's your secret, run you ever, you don't put on the trail. ⁓ the app. ⁓ so they have shown me those as well. ⁓ of course I, I donate money to support them as well. and, ⁓ yeah, it's, I still do mountain biking. still have two bikes I haven't sold yet in my garage. Just sometimes I do like, just, like to pedal up. I don't go crazy. Yeah. No, because I, don't ride that much anymore. Sorry.
speaker-1: Yeah. The consequences, the dirt doesn't give like the snow does sometimes, I know.
speaker-2: Yeah. No, I, well, it's not just the dirt. Yeah. The trees. ⁓ yeah, but it's really fun. I, I, I would definitely, if have kids, I would definitely start them young. ⁓ it's just get their body, ⁓ muscle memories building up. I mean, for me, I'm 30, I'm 34. I think sometimes it's just hard for me just to, ⁓ try a bald move.
speaker-1: You lost the rock
speaker-2: Like snowboarding.
speaker-1: Tell me about it Sam. Tell me about it. I'm not 34.
speaker-0: would like to be a 34 year old man.
speaker-1: Exactly. If I could go back to being 34.
speaker-0: Are you more for big fast downhill lines, sketchy North Shore, rooty stuff, or pedaling enduro trails?
speaker-2: I, where's first starting it. I'm definitely like, I like errors. Yeah. like. Yeah. You know, I, I, if you see my posts, do trampolines as well. ⁓ that I was considering that as a training is that like sports, I trampoline just to get air awareness for mountain biking and also snowboarding. So it's just getting myself prepared in the air.
speaker-0: Picking out.
speaker-1: This is tough.
speaker-2: ⁓ so yeah, mean, mountain biking is a different level. I will say that snowboarding the excitement as well. Like if I do a straight on a mountain bike, it gets me the same amount, even more assignment than bike flipping a jump on snowboard.
speaker-1: Yeah, really fun.
speaker-0: Cool, well we're coming into the season so I think you should get back on the bike.
speaker-2: I'm on my bike, I'm on the stationary bike.
speaker-1: Yeah, I was gonna say, yeah, it's part of the rehab. ⁓
speaker-0: Sweet. Well, we're into our palate cleansers here. This is a little series of questions that are just kind of for fun and ⁓ maybe a little less deep than what we've been doing, just as a little reset before we hit the backside of our episode. ⁓ Question one, best trick in snowboarding.
speaker-2: ⁓ it gotta be, ⁓ rodeo 5. Hell yeah.
speaker-0: You're one out of three on this show right now who can do that? Yeah. Yeah, let's do it. Let's do it. Let's have a challenge next year, ⁓ Okay. Question two. If your snowboard could talk to you, what would it say?
speaker-1: Yeah, exactly.
speaker-2: I would say, I think the snowboard will tell me, give me a few days to rest. ⁓
speaker-1: Okay. Yeah. Put me away for a while. Yeah.
speaker-0: ⁓ Cool, and before you cased yourself earlier this winter, what was your go-to setup? What were you riding?
speaker-2: ⁓ well, that's a tough question. ⁓ I'm going to have a choice between Jones and Solomon. ⁓ I have been a nitro writer for over eight years and I'm still writing nitro as well. ⁓ mostly for park. And, ⁓ at this moment, because I'm writing, ⁓ off-piste a lot, especially doing some jumps, ⁓ cleave jumps. I'm choosing like a little bit more stiffer board and also a little bit longer board, slightly heavier board. So that's why I'm getting into Solomon and also Jones. ⁓ and that's what I have been writing for last year.
speaker-0: What models from those three brands? I'm guessing Team Pro on the Nitro.
speaker-2: Exactly. ⁓ team pro full setup, team pro boots. ⁓ I'm still writing the team pro boots, ⁓ team pro boots and team pro banding, team pro board. It has been my setup for over eight years. and for drones, I'm writing the howler, which is a new model just released last year. ⁓ the reason I'm writing it because, ⁓ I'm buying into Victor Delouroux is the champion of Rare World Tour and he's his signature board. So I'm riding that board. It's a heavy board, it's a stiffer board, it's meant to go fast. If you go slow on the board, it's going to ease you.
speaker-1: Yeah.
speaker-2: ⁓ it's a good board. ⁓ and for Solomon, I'm writing the, ⁓ assassin pro. It's kind of like a mix between, ⁓ old mountain free writing and a little bit freestyle. and, ⁓ I haven't tried that board yet. I was about to when I go to China, but because of my injury, it got canceled. So I'm going to start writing that board. Hopefully in August because I'm still planning to go to snowboarding in South America in August So I'm gonna put that board on my feet and I will get back to you about how I feel about that board
speaker-1: about it.
speaker-0: Hey, this is kind of random and we're drifting away from the pallet cleanser, I was, yeah, I know you as a bit more of a park rider, but you also like love to lay trenches. Like I've seen some videos of you carving and you kind of, I'm wondering like where your heart really is at. Cause he can, he seems like you can do all of it.
speaker-2: Well, it's a long story. I'm just going to try to keep it. I wasn't a park rider ⁓ actually before level four exams. I ski park, but I'm not a really big, Jeff know that. ⁓ And ⁓ I have done a lot of carving lessons while I'm approaching the exams. And then I feel like the examiner are tired of seeing that. So it's myself presenting it. And, so I just, ⁓ start doing something else. I start just, you know, get, try to practice on my part because I feel like all the time I have seen through the exam is like, most people are weak in the park. You know, if I can put down big tricks, if I know how to do it properly, I have something to teach. At least I have something that, ⁓ They probably wants to know and answer to your question first. I call first. I'm a cover and then I started doing bumps and then I started doing park. Park was the last. So that's kind of the process got me here.
speaker-0: Well, that's really interesting to hear you say that. ⁓ I won't dig into my personal experience too much here, ⁓ training in the park. Let me just ask you the question. Getting better in the park, how did that affect all of the other tasks for the riding exam?
speaker-2: ⁓ I think it's kind of like a one plus one above two thing. If you are, I mean, for me as an instructor, not a coach, I think for me, my discipline is I need to be good at anything. No matter is off piste, park or carving. And, ⁓ with all those things added up together, it only benefits me. I don't see any, ⁓ comes from it. And I highly encourage people to go out of your comfort zone to try it because I have been there and I know it's going to benefit you in the long run.
speaker-1: For sure. Yeah.
speaker-0: Definitely. I agree. Sweet. Okay, let's cruise through the backside of our episode here. What was a key turning point in your progression, either in your writing or your teaching career or both?
speaker-2: ⁓ I think the turning point, it may sounds a little bit, ⁓ weird. would say is that, ⁓ my, always my goal is trying to train or, ⁓ coaching high level athletes or high level, ⁓ instructors. It, the first day when I'm taking my level one exams. I told them, like the evaluator normally asked me, Hey, why are you taking the course? I was like, I want to become you to training people that's know how to snowboard. And, ⁓ so that'll be my turning point. So all the hard work I have put in because I want to train the people that can snowboard. And in order to do that, I want to make sure I want to make sure myself. Can able to deliver that. demo wise, knowledge wise, presenting wise, like everything. I want to be, ⁓ you know, just to be a better instructor that's capable to run all the training, run all the exams. So I think the first goal I ever set in my mind is the turning point for myself.
speaker-1: you
speaker-0: That's really cool. From day one, you knew you wanted to train other people. So you trained yourself all along the way just so that you could do that. That's cool. You had your long-term plan right from the beginning.
speaker-1: Mm-hmm.
speaker-2: I mean, it seems cool. The reason I took Cassie because I saw the elevator. Oh, I like that writing style. That looks cool. And then I was like, I want to become her. Actually, my level one instructor is Melanie. And I think she's still working at Cypress part-time. every time I see her, I was like, hey Melanie, you changed my, I would say over 60 % of my career.
speaker-1: Yeah.
speaker-0: That's a shout out. Nice one, Sam. And Cassie is cool. So you should keep telling people that.
speaker-1: You
speaker-2: That's what I've been doing.
speaker-1: Yeah.
speaker-0: It's in all of our best interests. ⁓ So along the way, as you became the instructor you wanted to be, what were some of your struggles that you had to overcome?
speaker-2: I think the most struggle I ever come is, um, it's the steel same question. think being instructor, I had been, so I started working at Grouse mountain first year, part-time second year. I was considered full-time. put him in the part-time, but I worked a lot. So all the lessons I ever had, most of them 95 % is never ever. It's like they cannot. make turns, they cannot do blue runs. So the first two years I was like, okay, that's not what I want. So I quit. And I even argued with my supervisor. I was like, this is not what I'm standing up for. Look, I'm a level two instructor and I can do better than this. It was like, no, you don't have experience. And at that time I don't get it. Honestly. So I was like, okay, I'm going to stop doing it. And then I took my level three exam. I passed my level three and, ⁓ and during that time, the, ⁓ the director of Cypress came to me. It was like, Hey, Sam, I noticed you. Why don't you come over working as a trainer at Cypress? So that's where I started working as a trainer right away. Not being an instructor. So I started my trainer role in Cypress for part-time about six years. And then. And I'm also free to teach students regularly. Let's say if someone denied my private lesson, they come to the snow school and ask for me. And that's where I start become a evaluator. So it's kind of like a mixed job, like part-time trainer, part-time evaluator. And at that moment I feel like, okay, I achieved my goal. That was quick. And then I was like, okay, there's higher level. There's level four. Okay. I got to do it too. So I started going through that. So yeah. And then I was like, I feel like I'm really lucky that I can do what I love and what I have been always pursuing in the last decade, I think.
speaker-0: I don't love the word luck because I don't think there's any luck involved here. You made your own luck and that's how you got to where you're at. Looking back on it with what you know now, was that snow school director right to keep you in those lower level lessons?
speaker-2: ⁓ honestly, well, I'm just going to be in straightforward. would say you could pick, put me in the kind of like a mixed. Yeah. Right. Like some beginner lessons, some like leading the camp, because sometimes I request, okay, I want to lead this camp for six weeks, like from ever, ever. And then I can turn them into like a blue run writers. So. At that time, I didn't have that opportunity to be able to do that. So I would say I definitely need a hundred percent need the experience of teaching never ever. And that's, that's the fundamental. That's the knowledge I need to know. And I need to experience a lot with that. And also, you know, there. I'm not the director. If I become the director, I definitely will also suit. the personality or the characteristics of the instructor. Some instructors, they like where they are. They like teaching kids. They like having fun with kids. For me, you know, I'm not a good guy teaching kids. If I have a choice between teenager and kids, I definitely go to the teenagers. ⁓ I like their energy on the snow. So I would say...
speaker-1: hehe
speaker-2: If I had that role, I would definitely split like maybe 80%, 20 % the job that can give to me.
speaker-1: Yeah.
speaker-0: Good answer. ⁓ So along the way, you've mentioned some of this already, but I'm just curious as you leveled up over the years, who were some key people? It's your time to give some shout outs. Key people that helped you level up.
speaker-2: ⁓ I have to shout out to this guy, ⁓ his legal name is, ⁓ Robert Junkass. He has been my mentor. ⁓ sometimes, I mean, I was in early twenties at that time, like 24 and, I went through some wrong directions. ⁓ I, have, tend to do things crazy. ⁓ I'm not afraid to come up front with anyone at that time. I just, ⁓ I want to say what I say. ⁓ at a certain point I, I crossed with Bob and, well, his, his age could be my dad, honestly. So instead of like, instead of like. Demanding me to do things he guiding me, he's guiding me through and he tells me why we are doing this way. And if you're doing this way, you can achieve your goal. because I can see you have the potential. He always trusted me. think that's the most important thing. I think it's hard to find people that's not your family, but also put faith in you. And I remember when I go through the level four process, he's the trainer and he understand he's getting aged. He understand that he's probably not at the level four writing level, but he's always there. If I... You know, he's the trainer. He could have excuse to not come, but he's always there. That inspires me. inspires all the trainees in the group. And, ⁓ yeah, I just feel like I met, I met a friend, a mentor that is going to last lifelong. Yeah. He's, I would say he's the most important guy.
speaker-0: That's amazing, Sam. That was really touching. I know Bob's going to like to hear that. there's a reason he's in our Hall of Fame.
speaker-1: ⁓
speaker-2: He has, I mean, I don't know, he has done, ⁓ because you guys are not from Vancouver area, he has done a lot of, ⁓ things that's, ⁓ inspired me. And I, kind of like, because I learned that from him, I learned the way how he talks. I learned the way how he treats people, especially in snowboarding industry. you know, just a little thing. He pick up. garbage on the snow if he sees some. many people does that and I learned that from him and if I see garbage on the snow I will pick it up. So he's just amazing person that's all I can say.
speaker-1: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, that's very cool. you know, Bob has a, has such a long history. mean, I could, I could consider Bob as one of the, one of the, when I was up and coming as well. I mean, this is how far back Bob, Bob's history with Cassie goes, but pre, pre Cassie, right? Like he, he was around before Cassie even existed. And, and, and when I was in my early days as an evaluator, Bob was, was always around and continues to serve the association now as a member of our board of directors and has been there for, you know, it's well over a decade. He's done a couple different stints as a board member and he's done a lot for snowboarding and not just in the Vancouver area, but nationwide,
speaker-2: Yeah, it's pretty cool.
speaker-1: Yes. Nice.
speaker-0: Cool. That was a bit of a mic drop. I find one of the hardest things with hosting this podcast is getting ready for the next question. That one was so inspiring. I kind of just want to leave it there, but we have more stuff to talk about.
speaker-2: Well, there are so many people in Kelsey helped me. Okay. ⁓ for example, ⁓ I would say Adam Gardner, ⁓ Milan J, ⁓ Jenny B, if I pronounce her name right, it's hard. ⁓ Jeff. Okay. All those people have seen me grow up in the process and they all been there with me every year. gave me advice gave me the right path to go through and I mean for my career that helps so much and I just want you guys to know that like The read I mean even it's exam the results by the end is not is not matter that much the most it's kind of like I get the recognition from you guys Okay, even it's a system, but
speaker-1: Hmm.
speaker-2: It's people right? The people I met, the people I've been going through for years. Yeah, so I was like, I choose the right path, I choose the right career. That's how I felt it. know, family. ⁓
speaker-1: Yeah.
speaker-0: That's really good. Yeah, the Cassie family. ⁓ So piggybacking on that, I have another question, guest question from Jen here, who you just mentioned. You've spent some time doing some free ride, world tour stuff. And Jen was interested to hear ⁓ how Cassie played a role in shaping. ⁓ Well, she didn't use the word fundamentals, but your background and how, you know, did it help you get to that level in your writing?
speaker-2: Well, I think for Cassie, I think there's one important thing about the style of Cassie is that, ⁓ the style of Cassie is able to write anywhere. and we, especially with this year, there's a big mountain course dropped in and, ⁓ that start involving even a little bit higher level of free writing or off piece writing. And that's builds up a strong fundamental for me. to approach to the, ⁓ the games to the free ride world tour games. Like if you, if I, I've seen a lot of competitors, ⁓ they, they are pretty, I don't know, like when they're seeing moguls, when they're seeing big icy moguls, only thing they're doing is side sleeping. But for me, I can make turns. See like that's, that's where the Cassie technique playing a big part of free riding. And, ⁓ and it opened doors. Let's say, ⁓ if you kind of like become the instructor, Cassie instructors, you build up the fundamentals. It opens the doors for you to explore free riding, to explore a free ride war tour or even powder riding or cliff, or there are just so many options, just not just free riding, a free ride war tour.
speaker-1: Yeah.
speaker-2: So that's I it.
speaker-1: It's interesting. It's cool to hear you say that because that's in, you know, over the years that at least that I was involved on the technical side. That's very, that's been an intentional kind of focus, right? To make sure that our, technique is adaptable across the entire mountain. what's cool right now is snowboarding is seeing like a real, you know, the, of the cool stuff when you go online with snowboarding these days, it's very specific, right? Like very specific to carving technique or park technique or. ⁓ And we've always, I've always felt really strongly that our technique, as far as an instructor teaching a student, it should be adaptable to different parts of the mountain. And a high level instructor should be able to adapt to those techniques or be able to use those techniques, whether you're, you know, sitting at the top of a park or at the top of a tree run or the top of a groomer. so it's cool to see that that sort of has been the case for you as well.
speaker-2: Yeah. And, ⁓ from different perspective, like from my friends, from the students I ever had, and also the candidates, most people are saying that Cassie, the style of Cassie riding is, ⁓ is an all terrain vehicle.
speaker-1: So it's a mountain bike, not the road bike. Yeah. No, not at all. Not at all. Yeah. Yeah.
speaker-2: Was that a car? It's just a good fundamental for free writing. Definitely.
speaker-0: And speaking of free riding in my deep dive of your social media, I saw a picture of you with Big Mountain Jeremy Jones. I'm like fanning out a little bit. ⁓ that's cool. got to meet Jeremy Jones. Did you get to chat with him at all? Or was it just like, ⁓ this is Jeremy Jones. I'm going to grab a quick pic and be on your
speaker-2: Yeah, well at that time I was writing Nitro. So, but he's a great guy. I also met his doctor along on his side because he was there to ⁓ with his doctor to compete and asked him like ⁓ what links of the board should I write for free writing and look at my video. This is the turns I make. Should I make bigger turns? Should I go faster? How can I score higher? Yeah. He's a legend in free riding and hiking. So, um, and he gave me a lot of tips and, he's a great guy. He's, he's, he's always open mind to share his thoughts. and he also gave me, uh, advice like, okay, Sam, I don't think you should try the 360 here because there are more chance you're going to sit, you're going to fall on your butt. that's going to dog mark. rather, I rather have you to do like a straight air with some grab. So those things change my strategy a lot. So like, for example, ⁓ when I go compete strategy always comes first. Now the biggest trick, now the style. Yeah. If you complete the run, you already beat 25 % of the competitors because at least 25 % will fall on their butt.
speaker-1: you you
speaker-2: So and the other thing is like the line choice is like you don't have to hit the biggest line Just make it look smooth right make it like a like a playground make people think you're having fun and You see like those little points that I have to you know compete a lot to have those sort of experience But he's open mind to share It's great experience. I don't know if I'm going to see him again this summer because normally he's going to South America every year.
speaker-1: Right. Yeah.
speaker-0: that's pretty cool. You got to talk board tech with Jeremy Jones. a legend. So we talked a little bit about mental prep, but listening to your story more and learning about you ⁓ throughout this episode, I just keep thinking about what your mental preparation strategy is. Whether you're going into a free ride event or an exam or
speaker-1: Thank you.
speaker-0: Even teaching a level 3 module or something like that, you need to mentally get your head in the game for any of those things. What's your process there?
speaker-2: I have two mindsets. So let's say, if I say the first, the one you mentioned, if I going through a level three teaching module, being an evaluator, my mindset is do whatever I can. ⁓ of course, following the protocols to deliver the best course, try to answer the question clearly. Like a yes or no question instead of like, ⁓ let me think about it. you know, like. because I want the candidates to learn the most from the course and in my ability. And that's my mindset. Answer their old questions. If I cannot answer their questions, that's my fault. That's my mindset. Because if I want to be the best trainer, I should be able to answer that. Or I at least find the correct answer for them. I can ask people like more experienced like Jeff or Bob or Jane. wherever, right? ⁓ that's my mindset. And for doing the exam and for competing, ⁓ my mindset would be, ⁓ I'm going to beat them all. That's my mindset. ⁓ Like I don't, I don't care what people think about me. I'm just going to be me. And if I only have one shot.
speaker-1: Yeah
speaker-2: And I don't want to regret. don't want to listen to people. I'm kind of like a little bit stubborn, like even I'm competing, like I, when I look at the line, I got to do that line no matter what. So I'm like almost a hundred percent committed. Yeah.
speaker-0: Getting to be 100 % committed is not something you decide when you're on the top of a slope though. So I guess what I was sort of digging for there is like how like before going into event do you prepare yourself so that when you get on the hill you can give it 100%.
speaker-2: Of course, I'm doing everything I can beside work to get myself prepared. ⁓ for example, I'm, ⁓ every day after I snowboarding, after a teach day of lessons, I normally, I would do like five K of running or 10 K of running. ⁓ I either do in the morning or in the afternoon after work. So that's kind of like training my endurance. So for example, like the, ⁓ free world war tour run. Normally is between one minute to two minutes and 30 seconds. And I will put myself on a running track to run to max mount my speed in those time frame. So that's how I felt. And during those time frame, I'm going to, you know, try to jump over things, try to use my strings. So that's kind of like simulate the same level of, ⁓ intensity of doing the competitions. And also, for example, going to the exams, I will ask Bob, I will ask my trainers to just to tell me directly, just to give me the bad words, give me the things that I need to work on. Don't tell me positive things. I don't need them. So those, those are the dedications I put in. I don't need the encouragement. know I can, I encourage myself too much.
speaker-1: Yeah
speaker-2: So I just need people to ⁓ you know beat my ass and tell me yeah, okay. This is what you need to improve on
speaker-0: There is no PTT in your process.
speaker-1: In the other hand
speaker-2: You know, you don't know how many times I failed that session ⁓ on the result sheet. But I'm really good. You know, what doesn't kill me, make me stronger. So.
speaker-1: Yeah. Yeah, that's right. Well, I do remember your early teaching exams, just thinking back on some of your, mentioned feedback and I do remember your early teaching style was very direct. Yeah. Might've even been a little bit drill Sargeant-y. Do this, do that, do this, do that. That's right. Yeah. mean, it's, yeah, yeah. It's about being, recognizing what's the most effective, right? So, yeah.
speaker-2: And that could hurt people's feelings. I remember people come to me after, like, hey Sam, was I that bad?
speaker-1: Yeah.
speaker-2: Yeah, it was, experience, right? Like I need those periods. I, that's something that I'm definitely missed in my early age of teaching. And, ⁓ I do suffer from it as well. And, ⁓ and I understand that I could take the negative feedback or direct feedback, but for a lot of people that's hard for them. Yeah. And yeah.
speaker-0: Well, that's why it's a process to get to where you're at, right? And you learn these things along the way and you became adaptable. Now you can do both. ⁓ So what's your career trajectory at this point? So you said you're 34. You've got like easily another 34 years of this. What, like where, where do you want to take things?
speaker-2: Career wise, my career, think next year I need to finish my last puzzle or become a level four evaluator. Uh, that's one thing definitely on the checklist. The second thing is I still want to compete. think for the next couple of years, at least I want to be, um, there there's, there's a couple level of the free level tour. Uh, maybe not on the TV, but I want to be. You know, just one step away from being on TV, that final stage. and also I want to, ⁓ keep going with my social account, ⁓ sharing tips about snowboarding. ⁓ I, I think everyone have their own opinion or tips about snowboarding. So that's something that I want to continue to do. And I have comments like, no, I I do it different way. I said, okay, I got to try it. So that's another way for me to keep growing my skill. ⁓ And another thing is I'm going to try to do a double on the airbags. At least on the airbags, on the dry land slope. And then one day I can bring it to the snow. And that's pretty much for the, like this, that will be my life trick. ⁓ Yeah. And, I, I would say career wise, will still go, I'll still be, ⁓ a Casey evaluator. Like winter at the core area out west, ⁓ summer, if I get chance, I can still travel to South America also to run course in China. ⁓ or even somewhere else if there's opportunity comes. Yeah. And another big goal is inter-ski. So I think it's two years from now or one year. One year from now, I'm going to get myself prepared. I'm going to do another tryout. ⁓ Yeah. So those are among my checklist.
speaker-1: Yeah. Yeah. Sorry. The next tryout will be two years from now. Interski is one year. So the next tryout will be a year after that. So two years from now. Yeah. You have more time. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That's cool. Nice.
speaker-2: ⁓ that's great. My bonway
speaker-0: Well, one of the ways we can see that you're deeply embedded in snowboarding, I'm to have to ask this question again. My dog's going nuts. Let's just pause this for a second. Hold on. I'll be right back.
speaker-1: Yeah. No worries.
speaker-0: Hey, come here.
speaker-1: We got to leave this part in. Is your dog seriously named Burton?
speaker-0: ⁓ Yeah. So one of the ways, Sam, that we know that you are deeply embedded in the snowboard world is your goggle tan.
speaker-1: I was looking at that, you still got it. Even with the injury, you still got it.
speaker-2: still have a
speaker-0: So what's the secret? you a tanning bed with the goggles on or is it natural?
speaker-2: Well, I I try to cover my face really well especially this year because of the work I have to ⁓ I I think is more respectful to put my mask down when I speak with people and Sometimes I put my mask down. I just like leave there
speaker-1: and ⁓
speaker-2: Yeah, and I don't have like, you know, a habit of putting on sunscreen. So like, because I think I have the masks, you know, like that will do a perfect job. So I just kept it like, just lower my lips most of the time. And that's where that kind of like a joker, like hand.
speaker-1: Yeah, that's what...
speaker-2: I'll get it.
speaker-0: It's a good look.
speaker-1: Nice.
speaker-2: I don't grow that much of beer like you guys. It's like... Yeah, if I have that beer, man, I will keep that beer.
speaker-1: Hahaha While you're still young, you'll get there. Your beard days are coming.
speaker-0: white whiskers one of these days. So Sam, what do you see as your role in the snowboard industry or the community, be it in Cassie or beyond?
speaker-2: I would say, I will still say the same. Like there are people asking me this before. I'm thinking about like, I'm a person that keep pushing people into snowboarding or even skiing. ⁓ or I can push people to, you know, getting certified. It's not, it's not a matter of become to, ⁓ become an instructor or not. It's the experience you learn snowboarding in a different perspective. And, ⁓ let's say if people just come in to do the course, like, okay, I just want to having fun because my friend that telling me that I was like, yeah, why not? You know, level three is more fun. You should try that. And I just keep going like level four is the ultimate fun. You know, so that's normally what I tell people is like, you don't have to become an instructor. to do this, ⁓ just enjoy the sports. So that's kind of like the things I'm going to pursue for next decade, pushing people into the industry and, ⁓ sharing my tips about how I write. Yeah, that's, and, ⁓ and sometimes, ⁓ let's say because I highly involved with Cassie for last 10 years, like, for example, like people go through high level exams. Some people. They are frustrated after a couple of tries. Just like me before. And sometimes they just, they message me like in social media, like, Hey Sam, this evaluator sucks. He treat me unfair. was like, who is that? I asked them first. was like, okay. You know, I know him. He's a good person. You know, it's like we're actually evaluator. We're not taking this personally. Unless you slap him in the face.
speaker-1: So... Unless you make it personal, yeah.
speaker-0: That's a person.
speaker-2: So like where this is just our job, like think of us as a robot. Okay. We're, we're, we're, we're just doing things that follow the rules in our best knowledge to help you. We want you to pass. So for me, I'm kind of like that bridge when there's a Mr. Understanding showing up because I know right now the Chinese market is growing tremendously and. Sometimes I, I kind of like have to, ⁓ like talk to people about what is Cassie and why the exam seems a little bit harder. Why the way we teach, why the way, how we teach and, ⁓ it's just, takes time. It takes time and, yeah, that, will be, I think that will be my role for next few years.
speaker-0: Well, you spoke really highly of Bob and a few others.
speaker-2: And I
speaker-0: It kind of strikes me in that whole conversation there that you're going to be someone else's Bob. You probably already have been. ⁓ So that's really cool to kind of hear you talk about where you see your role taking ⁓ on that side of things as you progress in your career. That's really great. ⁓
speaker-2: it.
speaker-0: Those are all the questions that I sort of had. We've gone into detail on a lot of them, even more so than I expected, which was amazing. Jeff, did you have anything else that you wanted to ask Sam before we sign off here?
speaker-1: No, that was really cool. learned, ⁓ I learned some more about every time I have a conversation with you, I learned more cool stuff. So that was pretty neat. So thanks very much, Sam.
speaker-0: ⁓ Sam, you mentioned your tips and you're sharing online. ⁓ Where can people find you?
speaker-2: ⁓ they can, I only do it right now on a red note, red book and also a tick tock. Those are the biggest platform, social media platform, ⁓ in China, ⁓ because he is in Mandarin. So in the future, ⁓ I'm thinking about posting some tips also on, ⁓ Instagram as well. ⁓ Just to share my thoughts. I could be wrong. I could be right. It's just Just my thoughts as well ⁓ And I find that by doing it I benefit from people questioning me and when they question me, that's the chance I'm gonna get better So exactly
speaker-1: ⁓ Self-reflection is good, right?
speaker-0: Yeah, for sure. And what are the handles for Red Note and TikTok so people can search you up?
speaker-2: ⁓ okay, so there are two Chinese characters. So in English it's called Sam Snowboarding, but the snowboarding that word is translated into Mandarin. Yeah. ⁓ I can send you a message to Casey. And then you will show on your...
speaker-0: We'll flash it.
speaker-1: Yeah. Okay. Sweet.
speaker-0: Nice, well Sam, thanks again for taking the time to chat with us today. That was a really insightful conversation. really enjoyed getting to know you better. That was awesome. I can't wait to share this with the membership. ⁓ Everybody, thanks for tuning into the episode. Be sure to hit us up with a review. ⁓ If you have anything you want to chat with us on, suggestions, topic suggestions. Please email us podcast at cassie-acms.com. Thanks again, and we'll see you on the next episode.
speaker-1: Thanks.
speaker-2: ⁓ Thank you guys. Thank you so much.
