To be an Adaptive Sports Center instructor means work doesn’t feel like work and every day something special happens. Whether it is a relaxing day paddleboarding on an alpine lake or making their first turns on the ski slope, each activity brings the best out of the participant(s) and the instructor(s). As I write this, I think back to the first time I experienced the Adaptive Sports Center. It was my first time in Colorado as a six-year-old, and thanks to a family friend who was gracious enough to open his home up to us, we got to experience Crested Butte for the first time. Long story short, we were able to get a ropes course day with the ASC. I decided to be the first one in my family up the zip line and then got to the ledge of the zip and like many others, I froze. I don’t remember it as clearly as my parents, but they say I was up there for over 40 minutes just thinking of taking the leap. While I am sure my brother and other family members were getting antsy on the ground, the Adaptive instructor who was up there with me did not bat an eye. The instructor I was with sat there next to me on the ledge, giving me words of encouragement, finding out hobbies of mine to take my mind off the drop, and was a calming voice to get me over the “ledge.” After about 40 minutes, I got the courage to stand up and run off the ledge and zipped away. Every lesson I am on, I try to emulate the same instruction, demeanor, and mindset of the instructor I was with up on the zip-line ledge. From the moment I meet with my participant to when we part ways at the end of the day, I want to be a friendly face and someone who they can trust on a lesson of any kind. And being a part of the instructor crew is a comradery of some of the best adaptive instructors in the nation. Everyone brings a level of excellence, knowledge, and fun to every lesson, every day. I am thankful every day I come to work and that I can work with an amazing group of people, who are all here to exceed expectations and carry out our mission to the highest degree. I think that it is safe to say on behalf of all the instructor crew, that our favorite part of the job is working with our participants. They are the reason why work doesn’t feel like work, instead each day instructing feels like a day outside with a new (or old) friend. The memories and friendships made by overcoming a new challenge, checking off a new run, or relaxing on a sunny alpine lake, are worth more than anything money can buy. Being an instructor is the most humbling yet rewarding job, which in turn allows me to pass on my love for recreating in the out-of-doors. I thank my fellow co-workers, volunteers, and most importantly the participants who continue to venture out with the Adaptive Sports Center each season.
