Ski Voice makes lessons more effective
Ski instructors are finding a new way to teach clients more effectively with a communication device called the Ski Voice. The Ski Voice is a little box with an earpiece, able to give and receive messages without needing to press a button. The transmission is triggered only by the frequency of your voice, thereby filtering out any other external noises.
The device has been used for a number of years by football referees, but it lends itself very well to other sporting situations. This wireless communicator is used in Arc 200 by ski instructors and also for competition training.
The Ski Voice allows communication between 2 to 6 people over a distance of 700m, without the need to shout. Arc 2000 ESF ski instructor Phillipe Genin explains the advantages:
“When teaching a client, the instructor is usually obliged to shout and sometimes this can be disagreeable. When skiing, you are not always understood and you have to repeat yourself many times, sometimes stopping to explain what you mean. Then, you find that the moment has passed. With the Ski Voice you can give advice from some distance and the skier can correct themselves straightaway, without having to strain to hear you. They can immediately adapt to what you are telling them and they almost forget that you are there as they are focusing on your instructions and following your instructions. Their progress is immediate. I can observe the client from the bottom of the piste and talk them through their descent. At the end of the lesson I always do one piste without the Ski Voice. The client feels the difference for not having the device and is less confident, which proves its effectiveness. On the other hand, I do not use it for absolute beginners, or for large groups; it is reserved for more advanced courses. Also I use it for guiding off-piste; once at the summit I can guide the group whilst following them, allowing the clients to make the first tracks. It is incredible; I am in harmony with them. I hear the intonations in their voices which tell me if they are tired, nervous, or having a great time!”
The “Ski Voice” connects its users, allowing them to speak clearly and audibly amongst themselves. This is not only of benefit to clients who want to make progress but also to top-level sportsmen. Already used in many ski resorts in slalom training, Phillipe has lent his “Ski Voice” to the Ski Club of Les Arcs for use in their FIS training, where his son Hugo trains.
“At competition level, every element of the race counts and the beauty of the Ski Voice is its reactivity. The racers can respond to your guidance straightaway and this is ideal for the giant and the super-giant events. However, for slalom training with the gates passing at a rate of 2 per second, the Ski Voice could distract the skier,” explains Phillipe.
Since the start of this winter season Phillipe has used the Ski Voice to accompany over 50 clients of various nationalities, with both Phillipe and clients being very satisfied with the results.
The Ski Voice is priced from €550 and can operate for up to 12 hours at a time over a 700m range. It is used by ski instructors in Les 2 Alpes, Alpe d'Huez, Belle Plagne and Courchevel. ESF Arc 2000 charges 44€ for an hour's lesson with the Ski Voice (without the Ski Voice €39).
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Source : Le Dauphiné Libéré
