2021 Stories of the Year: Adaptive Instruction

PSIA-AASI members across the country celebrated a return to normalcy in 2021, with live events, in-person teaching, a new PSIA-AASI National Team, and the introduction of updated Certification Standards.

As we celebrate the end of year, here is a look back at some of the top stories in adaptive instruction.

Meet the Adaptive Team

Along with returning Adaptive Team Coach Geoff Krill, new team members Christina Bruno and Mike Ma were selected to represent PSIA-AASI and carry on the evolution of adaptive instruction.

Christina Named Colorado Instructor of the Year

At its Double Diamond Awards Ceremony last spring, Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) honored PSIA-AASI Adaptive Team member Christina Bruno as the Snowsports Instructor of the Year.

In acknowledging Christina, CSCUSA stated, “As a snowboard and ski instructor and adaptive examiner, Christina Bruno brings her technical knowledge, years of experience, empathy, passion, professionalism, and dedication to everything she does at Steamboat Resort. Bruno used her extensive adaptive experience and knowledge to help develop and implement teaching tools for instructors to maintain safe distances between instructors and guests during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

PSIA-AASI Joins Move United

PSIA-AASI is commitment to welcoming anyone and everyone to the slopes—regardless of background or ability— and in 2021 the association joined Move United, the national leader in community adaptive sports, as an Inclusion Champion to help provide access and inspiration to more adaptive athletes across the country.

As an Inclusion Champion, PSIA-AASI affirms the association’s commitment to be part of the inclusion movement and reach a more diverse group of Americans and be promoted by Move United as an inclusion partner.

Team Selection: Geoff on Building a Versatile Adaptive Team

Adaptive Team Coach Geoff Krill said he was committed to ensuring the 2021-24 team is versatile and can adapt their teaching skills to work on the fundamentals with instructors and students in any discipline.

“Given the level of creativity and diversity of people at this level, I’m excited to get out and see what we come up with today,” Geoff said. “And also in the seasons to come.”

“For all the disciplines,” Geoff said. “The ONEteam concept is something everyone is talking about, and it’s exciting. It’s something we have been doing in adaptive for a while, because we spend so much time understanding everyone’s skills and how to adapt our bodies to them. But now there’s more buy-in. This is a way of working together that has a lot of potential for the new team.”