CERTIFIED PROGRAM: 2011-2012 Report
Submitted by: John Kane, ME Region Certified Program Chair

This Certified Program is as robust as ever!  Since my last report the Maine Region had sponsored a Pre-course at Sunday River (our 8th annual) thanks To Sunday River for hosting the event.  This is held on the Thursday just ahead of the EMARI/ME S&T Clinic held for the past 23 years at the same venue.  I spent many of my patrolling days training with the Sunday River candidate patrollers who also offered many opportunities for the Certified folks to practice.  For their part, we really appreciate your support.  I was able to run a Pre-Course at Jay Peak in Vermont scheduled in advance of the Certified Exam also held at Jay Peak.  We spent 2 days up there beating the heck out of each other to ready the group for the exam.   At the exam I worked as the course setter for the exam and helped out with some of the interviews and low angle rescue. 

In the 2 weeks we spent up in Jay at the beginning of March we skied off of the cliffs, did some back country skiing and pursued other challenging terrain offered at this great skiing area.  There was no short supply of snow up there.  Just 2.5 weeks later it was all gone!  It was crazy to experience the “before and after”.  When we arrived for the exam, it was hot.  I mean 82 degrees HOT!!  There was even a discussion of cancelling the skiing exam due to no trail access.  Fortunately, with great attitudes and certified fortitude – and with the cooperation with the good folks of the Jay Ski Patrol, we were able to collect 22 shovels and sent a brigade up the hill to insure we would have just enough coverage in the steeps to hold the exam.  Crazy and Awesome to see the dedication of these folks to see it through.  Needless-to-say, we all experienced a different kind of hurt, no not muscular….  Sunburns!

Scott Krall from Sunday River completed 8 of the 10 components with coming up just short on one of the events needed in his 3 years.  He has put in a lot of work in this program and we hope that he sticks with it to return in 2014.  Not only has he learned a lot  more about the aspects of patrolling, the Certified Program is better off because of the quality in character and the determination to be best one can be for our skiing public.  We appreciate your being involved and hope that you continue your goal of becoming a Certified Patroller. 

On another note David Lemieux entered into the Certified program last year as well as the PSPA Certified program.  I am happy to report that he has completed his PSPA Certification and is now Certified in the PSPA program.  David can now reciprocate into the NSP Certified Program with 5 events.  Hopefully, he takes some time relish in the moment of his success and later looks to the NSP Certified program to enhance what he has already accomplished.  Congratulations!

It is great to see the effort, the prep work and determination these patrollers are committing to.  You would be proud to know that they represent the very best of the best patrollers we have in Maine.  I am hoping to see more interest in Maine this year, so please call me early in the season so I can steer you in the right direction.  The exam will be at Sugarbush next year

It was another successful year in getting around the state to bring the program to our members.  We continue to visit the Maine Region resorts throughout the season tagging some training along with other programs like S&T and OEC Clinics.  I have been approached by many members with a lot of interest in the Certified program.  We are starting to see increased participation by continually forwarding opportunities of “can do” environments regarding the Certified Program.  So continue to talk up the program and participate at our “Intro to Certified” held every year at Sunday River in January and the Certified Boot Camp in the summer.  Please see schedule of dates to be posted in the fall on the website: www.maineregionnsp.org.

As mentioned, we had another successful “Boot Camp” at HurriKane Cove in Harrison, Maine.  We had patrollers represented from all over the Eastern Division.  See the Eastern Division NSP website, click on Events and see the pictures.  On behalf of the candidates, I would like to thank all of those examiners that come from all over the division, year after year, to lend their help, experience and knowledge to enrich others.  Moreover, the environment lends itself for the candidate and examiner to personally interact (1-to-1) in a comfortable and FUN environment which helps to learn more about each others skill sets.

Next year’s Certified Boot Camp is tentatively scheduled for August 3 & 4, 2013.  Call me to let me know your coming.

Please see the following activities performed:

• We “Z” dragged ATV’s up steep embankments
• We performed Chair Lift Evacuations from 40 feet in the trees
• Deep leaves and underbrush beacon searches
• OEC – Certified Level – Scenarios
• Skiing, (slalom for free ski and moguls on flat moguled terrain
• Interviews
• Avalanche Training - yes, in the dead of summer!

Yes, there were lots of laughs, lies shared with “the older I get, the better I was” stories around the bonfire that last into the morning hours.  Can’t wait for next year.  You should be here!

The schedule next year is as follows:

Pre-Course & Intro to Certified
Sunday River – February 1, 2013

Certified Exam
Sugarbush – March 21– 24, 2013

If you are interested in finding out more about the Certified program, please call or write me anytime.

Thanks again for your time, effort and support of this great program.