|
KidKlip Information,
Instructions and Ordering Information
One of the most frequent questions I am
asked is "When should I start teaching my child to ski?" The best
answer is "When they are ready." It may not sound like much of an
answer, but it is true. I was once given a 3-year-old to teach. The
only problem was that he did not want to be there and he let me know in
no uncertain terms. I tried to teach, but he was not ready to learn. He
just wanted to play. So we played for about 30 minutes of an hour
lesson. The parents were very understanding and promised to try again
the next year. They did come back the next year and the difference was
amazing. A team of wild horses could not have kept that child from
learning to ski. The child was now ready to learn. Recommendations
Generally, I have observed that there are
three things that a child must posses to be ready to ski.
1. Strength - Learning to ski is hard
work. A certain amount of strength is essential. The pitch of the hill
must be matched with the available strength the child posses.
2. Developed Motor Functions - Skiing
requires an awareness of ones body. Children must be able to manipulate
their body, especially their lower body, to get down the hill safely.
This is one area where the KidKlip really helps. Very young children
may not be able to widen their stance and turn their toes toward each
other at the same time. The KidKlip creates the wedge for the children,
so that they only need to concentrate on their stance.
3. Adequate Attention Span - When we are
out on the hill there is a lot of activity. The child must be able to
focus on the tasks at hand. It is the instructor's job to stay in touch
with the child by varying the tasks, keeping it interesting, using a
lot of games, playing, and just having fun.
Instructions
After removing the KidKlip from the bag,
examine and become familiar with the parts as marked in the drawing
below. Notice that the Ring can be removed from the Left Klip by
aligning the grooves and lifting the Ring from the Left Klip.
1. Slip the KidKlip over the front tips
of each ski, with the Thumb Screws on the underside of the skis.
2. Tighten the Thumb Screws just enough to
securely hold it on the skis.
3. If the Ring has been disconnected, connect
it at this time. Aligning the grooves on the Ring and the Left Klip
will allow you to slip the Ring over the loop on the Klip.
4. Your child is now ready to start sliding.
Helpful hints
1. Your child does not need poles.
2. Before you start, allow your child to
become familiar with the equipment. (Boots, skis, KidKlip, etc.)
3. Remember, a child learns by playing. Keep
it fun! Throwing snowballs and making snow angels are OK.
4. Start on a gentle slope especially with
very young children. The steeper the slope, the more strength the child
must possess.
5. Use terms that are familiar to your
children.
A. The term wedge probably has no meaning to them.
How about "Pizza" instead? Most children know what a slice of pizza
looks like. If they are older try the letter "A" or place the skis in
the wedge position and ask them what it looks like and use that term.
B. When you want a large
wedge, how about a "Papa Bear Pizza," a small wedge could be a "Baby
Bear Pizza." They can "Eat up" the pizza to make a large wedge smaller.
C. Don't tell them to turn
their skis - they don't know how. Tell them instead to point their toes
in the direction you want them to go. Or have them look in that
direction or just gradually change direction yourself and they might
just follow.
D. Remember, your children
are not just small adults. They think, act, move, and play like a
children because that is what they are.
6. When you actually start to move down
the hill, stay close to your child. You need to be there for your
child's sense of security.
A. I like to ski backwards
so the child is always coming toward me. If you do this, have a spotter
who can direct you down the hill. Please be careful. Even if skiing
backwards is not an option, you still should stay close to the child.
B. Work on the wedge (pizza).
You may have to physically widen their stance for them to get the idea.
Work on the size of the wedge, getting them to vary its size to
maintain a constant speed or to stop. There is security in knowing you
can stop. I have found it helpful to have them try to stretch the Latex
Tubing when you want a large wedge.
C. Try not to hold your
child. Staying just out of reach and below the child will encourage a
proper stance. If you must hold the child back, hold the tips of the
skis with one hand or a ski pole.
D. When the wedge is coming
easier, try very gentle turns. After that, have them keep turning until
the turn stops them. Bring to the child's attention that he/she has
stopped. Let them know why and try it again.
7. Eventually you will reach the lift.
However, you cannot get on the lift with your child's skis clipped
together. One of the beauties on the KidKlip is that both Klips can
remain on the tips of the skis when riding the lift. However, you will
need to disconnect the Ring from the Left Klip. Once you reach the top
and are off the lift, you can reconnect the Klips. Again, aligning the
grooves on the Ring and the Left Klip will allow you to slip the Ring
over the loop on the Klip.
8. The real exciting part comes when your
child no longer needs the KidKlip. It will probably come faster than
you think. Don't use the KidKlip as a crutch. Unhook it every once in a
while to see if it is still needed. Try it first where the hill has a
very gentle pitch. Put it back on if the pitch gets too steep.
9. I would like to give you a word of warning.
PLEASE, PLEASE do not ski with your child between your legs. You may be
a very accomplished skier, but one mistake made by you or by an out of
control skier or rider, could put you on top of your child. I have seen
it happen and it can result in serious injury.
Finally, I want to thank you for buying
the KidKlip. I hope it makes teaching your child a pleasure.
I would love to hear your
success stories, problems you may be having, or suggestions on
improvements to the KidKlip.
Each Kidclip is $12.95 + $5.00
S&H and comes in a variety of colors. Call for ordering
instructions.
Kidklip
292 Woodpecker Way
Afton, VA 22920
phone 540-471-9171
fax 815-301-9104
Email - ennismtn@gmail.com
Internet - www.kidklip.com
Thanks again! Happy
and safe Skiing!
Back to Main Page
|
