Snowboard Technical Team
The AASI-W Tech Team is made up of Level 3 Instructors from all over the Western Division. These Level 3 Members have gone through extensive training beyond the Level Three Exam and are hired by AASI-W to lead clinics and exams throughout California and Nevada. Each and every one of these individuals is a wealth of knowledge and should be seen as instructors that model AASI-W’s teaching, riding, and professional values.
Member School Events
Each Member School should schedule an event educational with one of the Technical Team each season. Contact the AASI/PSIA-West Office for the current Tech Team Contact list.
Become a Tech Team Member
For the steps on how to become an AASI-W Tech Team Member see the Snowboard Certification Ladder. Also feel free to contact our current Professional Developer and Trainers Accreditation Representative for further questions.
The Snowboard Committee - a.k.a. The Posse
This group is made up of a group of volunteers from the Tech Team selected by the Snowboard Vice President to spread out the work load of the Snowboard Chairman, increase the divisions snowboard development and better represent our snowboard membership across the Western Division.
This is a list of Posse Members and their areas of responsibility.
Doug Fagel dfagel@sugarbowl.com - Snowboard Chairman/Snowboard Vice President, Freestyle Representative, Northern Region Representative
Ken Mattson knkmattson@sbcglobal.net - Past Snowboard Chair, currently PSIA/AASI-W Member Schools Chair
Amy Louisa amylouisa@gmail.com - Tech Team Scheduler, Snowboard Children Representative
Josh Spoelstra joshspoelstra@yahoo.com - Professional Development, Trainers Accreditation Representative, Adaptive Representative
Chris Lange langecustomgraphics@yahoo.com - Convention Liaison
Steve Bethell steve.bethell@gmail.com - Southern Region Representative
Jamie Lane jamolane@yahoo.co.nz - Mammoth Region Representative
Blair McLeod kiwiblair@etahoe.com - AASI-W Demo Team Head Coach
Stu Rea stu_rea@hotmail.com - AASI-W Demo Team Coach, Professional Development Advisor
Ady Millican millicans@gmail.com - AASI-W Committee Advisor
In Memoriam
Bruce Sato
The AASI-West Technical Team will always have a spot in our memories and hearts for one of our lost members, Bruce Sato.
Here is ONE for BS, Bruce Sato!!
Bruce Sato lost is life in a kite-boarding accident, on Sunday, June 4, 2006. Bruce was born in San Francisco, June 6, 1960. He was raised by his Mom, Natalie Sato, and lived there for a short time, then moved to Cleveland, and then to Pennsylvania. He went to High School in Harrisburg, Pa., and studied Political Science in college at Nassom, in Maine. By the time he got to college he was into biking, climbing, skiing and kayaking.
Bruce started skiing when he was ten at Ski Roundtop in Pennsylvania. He started teaching skiing after college and became a member of PSIA-East. In 1987 he packed is bags to move west and landed at Mammoth Mountain and joined PSIA-W. Bruce became very interested in snowboarding was a pioneer in helping to integrate snowboarding into the ‘Professional Ski Instructor’ umbrella. He was on PSIA’s first National Snowboarding Demonstration Team. He was instrumental in helping PSIA-W develop its snowboarding certification process and standards. This was all prior to the formation of the American Association of Snowboard Instructors. He was a technical master and was never afraid to challenge someone’s opinions or beliefs.
He called Lake Tahoe home and loved skiing, riding and sliding at Squaw Valley. He enjoyed showing his knowledge of the resort with others and always had a knack for convincing you to make one more run. He had a passion for anything outdoors. Bruce will be sorely missed and most remembered for his sly grin of a smile and his infectious laugh. His mother, Natalie Sato, survives him.
-Carl Underkoffler