Review: Proskicoach.com Virtual Coaching - 8/5/2009
Before I get started with this review, let's think of a few things that cost 85.00:
- -A nice ski handle
- -A nice life jacket or neo top
- -Dinner with a couple drinks
- -1 concert ticket
- -1 bottle of Dom
- -1 tank of gas last summer
- -1 virtual coaching session on Proskicoach.com that will blow your mind
As they say, priceless.
I've swapped emails and ski vids with pros in the past and have been to ski school multiple times before so I've had a good deal of experience with various coaching techniques and methods. However, Wade "The Oracle" Williams and Proskicoach.com have taken the concept of virtual coaching to a new level by creating an organized, structured vehicle for slalom coaching over the web. Nothing like this has ever been done before. Compared to travel and lodging costs to see a pro in person, this is a steal. For 85 dollars you can get personalized one-on-one coaching over the web with the waterski equivalents of your favorite basketball and football players. Can you imagine what Michael Jordan would charge for something like this?
The process is simple:
1. You click the "coaching" link on Proskicoach.com. Then, you get to pick the pro you'd like to work with. Right now there is a heavy-hitting roster to choose from— you'll have to visit the site to see who's there as the roster is constantly evolving. I decided to go with Wade because we've swapped a lot of emails in the past and I was really curious to see what he would bring to the table after seeing my skiing.
2. Once you pick your pro, you can choose between two packages. The basic lesson package is 85.00 and includes a 2-video limit, personalized lessson keys, and 4 dialogs with your coach. The "clinic" package includes a 3-video limit, 6 dialogs, personalized keys, and a 20 minute phone call with that pro after your lesson.
3. The next step allows you to link multiple YouTube videos to your lesson. In my case I uploaded my videos right to my own YouTube account, then added the links to my lesson. If you don't have a YouTube account, you can create one for free. You can also start your dialog with your coach by letting them know what you're working on and what your goals are. That reminds me— one crucial element to virtual coaching is the Ski Log at myskilog.com. If you haven't started a ski log there or you haven't kept up with yours, don't worry. You'll still get a great lesson. However, your coach will have instant access to your ski log if you have one so that will really help them understand what's going on with your skiing.
4. Once you start your lesson, it's crucial to keep up with your ski log so your coach can see what's going on with your sets. I found my coach to be very quick and thorough with my replies and I found the system very simple and intuitive to use.
So what did my coach have to tell me? Well, I submitted this video:32 MPH Pass, 7/30/09. Wade wrote a TON of stuff for me to read, which was amazing but necessary in my case because I needed a breakthrough, big time. Here are a couple of points which he custom tailored to my skiing. This is a very short paraphrasing of what was an epic writing session for Wade. I am doing the lesson no justice with this, but here goes:
- -I'm actually a pretty good skier (almost fell out of my chair on that one)
- -My form is actually good in general
- -I need to be confident and open my mind up to shorter lines and higher speeds or I'll never get there. Skiing is largely mental.
- -15 off is very stretchy, like a bungee. Thus it is easily overloaded and stretched, causing recoil into the wakes if you load it out of the turn.
- -I need to focus on not stretching the rope. Keep it 60ft long at all times (that visual really clicks with me). Light hands on the handle- no pulling on the rope or pushing the ski. If I get this concept down I will be cutting line and increasing speed easily.
- -I'm ready for a big-boy real ski (already on order)
- -I should try moving my bindings back a hole or two depending on how it feels
In conclusion my session with Proskicoach.com's virtual coaching was amazing. In today's economy, there is no better definition of value. Get your lesson TODAY. There's still plenty of season left for improvement and I would recommend you install a seatbelt in your office chair before you experience this system! Thanks again Wade.
FTC Disclosure: this product was provided to me for free.
Comments:
blackdog, 8/6/2009: after this virtual coaching session, how does it impact your next practice day? Does this help you with your skiing plan? Does it change the things you're working on currently?jhughes, 8/6/2009: BD- that would all depend on what your coach has to say. In my particular case I've never heard any pro say I was a good skier and that my form was generally good. In my case WW's advice affects my plan in that I'll do what I was already doing PLUS focus on a light line. I will always approach the course with more confidence as well. So that is an immediate change. The results will show themselves in time.
Falcon Eddie, 8/6/2009: This is great Joel. I like that it really gives you an ongoing plan and purpose throughout the coaching--some realistic targets and goals. You have to feel good that he mentions your "great body position". I would think that's a great foundation on which to build.
WadeWilliams, 8/8/2009: The idea is that by getting a lesson and using myskilog.com to track your sets, you'll be able to interact with pro skiers on a level that has never been possible in the past.
After your first lesson, you'll have a page saved on the site that only you can access. You can study your coach's advice, along with your skiing that you record in the free online ski log we provide.
Getting periodic checkups from a pro coach will be as successful as you make it. You'll get the professional advice you need -- it's up to you to ski better after that. Record your sets with us and then your coach will be able to give you even more assistance.
We want to guarantee success, as much as we can. By using our system of logging your sets and getting professional coaching, you will learn the technique concepts that you have to master in order to make the next break through in your skiing.
We can't promise you're going to go out and run 41 off in your next set -- we're just giving you a path to success. Skiing great requires a lot -- physical and mental health, great technique, and great equipment. With a pro coach, you're covering just two of these things. By studying your skiing at myskilog.com and using virtual coaching, you'll take another step closer to slalom-mental health.
We can't promise you're going to go out and run 41 off in your next set -- we're just giving you a path to success.
deepblue, 8/10/2009: This seems like a perfect use for technology to benfit both parties. Skiers get advice from true experts and the experts can review online videos and write their comments anytime they get some free time. They aren't locked into a time consuming commute to and scheduled session at a lake. They make some extra money for time that is otherwise not income producing so can charge less and skiers/students get a great deal in price. They might even be able to put more thought into their observations as they compose their ideas at the keyboard vs. on the spot live speed analysis. I'm not saying in person instruction does not have it pros to...such as instant feedback to try on the next run.
Hey Joel, I bought my F1X partially on your ski review. I see you have a new ski on order...any review/test process this time? When is the reveal of what you chose?
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