I Tried Taking the Snowboard Badge Test Level 1

Snowboarding for the first time in a year!

Using words like 'sliding' and 'failing'...
I wondered if it was appropriate to post this right in the middle of exam season, but...

We skipped snowboarding last December.

We used to go every year in December.

But there's no snow!
There are few courses open during the off-season,
Christmas to New Year's is crowded & expensive,
and there are many school trip students.

So we skipped it last year.

This year, only in February.

My child is getting busier every year.
As expected, private lessons.

Spend money where it should be spent.

I asked our usual instructor.

However, the instructor and my child are connected on Instagram,
so it doesn't feel like it's been that long.

We consulted with the instructor before the lesson,
and decided to try the 'Badge Test Level 1' the next day.

Snowboarding experience:
11th day on the day of the test.
Taking on the highest level.

Everything is an experience!
Failure is fine.
It's many times better than not trying at all!

Rental board & boots.

I was told when taking the Level 2 test that 'no one does that!',
but... I have no intention of buying!
Since I used to skate,

I understand that there is a
pretty big difference between rentals and owning your own gear.
It's not a money issue.

I spend money on private lessons.
Since we can't go often,
I want them to be taught intensively.
But maintaining and storing gear is a hassle.

Above all, traveling!
I want to travel light.

It takes up more storage space than skates.
My child is a minor, so naturally they don't have a driver's license.
We travel by Shinkansen, etc.
With such large luggage...

It's easy to buy,
but very difficult to throw away.
We parents rent when we go snowboarding now.
I still haven't been able to throw away my own ski boards & boots from decades ago...

And doing everything from preparation to cleanup and storage
is almost entirely up to me, the parent.

As a result, rentals are fine!

However, I did buy a helmet.
It's quite heavy, but
it's necessary for skiing at school, so I had no choice...

Short turns are a weak point.

It's been a year since the last time.
The video from last year that the instructor took for us...
...is even worse than I thought, boohoo.

After the lesson,
based on the instructor's advice,
we swapped to a shorter board,
and practiced again.

We got takeout for dinner.

While eating in our hotel room,
we watched snowboarding videos, watched, and watched.

And then they did their schoolwork... and fell asleep!

Get to sleep early!
Because I need to practice first thing tomorrow morning

My goal for the badge test registration is to avoid being number one

Registration for the test is at
8:30

I want to avoid waiting in line

Last time I was eager and went before 8:30
and got examinee number 1

I was already nervous enough
My child told me that being number 1 made them even more nervous
So this time, I'm avoiding being number 1

The test results for my 11th day of snowboarding are...

The morning is for the preliminary training
It's not a classroom lecture

The instructor showed us what a passing score of 70 points looks like
and explained the points to watch out for

Then, from the afternoon, it's a one-shot deal

Depending on the subject
it's random, not in order of registration number
Even though I avoided being number 1!

And then we wait 30 minutes for the results to be announced

When I asked my child how they did
Hmm, I don't know...

There were 3 examinees
I don't really want to be there to hear if they are the only one who failed

I decided to watch the results announcement from a distance...

Was it worth watching videos and waking up early to practice?
I passed the short turns with an unexpected bonus point

My child's dream
To be a ski patrol member
I think we're one step closer

...Is a snowboard certification even required for ski patrol??

And the night after the snowboard test
Next!
Studying for school and other certification exams

Busy young people

Just go for it! If you're hesitant, just do it!

My calligraphy teacher also said
"If you keep saying 'I'll submit it once I'm good enough to be in an exhibition'
you'll never submit anything
You improve by submitting, so
just submit it first!"

I shouldn't just be soaking in hot springs either
...I am studying, after all

Maybe I should try skiing together once in a while
While I'm still physically capable