To Japan for ski work

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 28, 8 December 1987, Page 10

To Japan for ski work

Three Waimarino teenagers are in the enviable position of receiving f i v e months work experience overseas, doing what they do best. TASCI members Warren Scott, Tina and Sheree Drayton leave for Japan this week, bound for Yamanouchi Machi - a city around the size of Wanganui, in the Shiga Kogen area west of Tokyo. The trio will work for the full five months in the ski resort, Warren as a ski instructor and the girls helping with administration and catering. Warren and Tina have

both visited the area before through the TASCI/Shiga Kogen exchanges run for the last two seasons. They were asked to return during the New Zealand summer by a contact made on the first visit - the owner of the Parallel Ski School in Shiga Kogen, Hirisawa San. The three are thrilled about the opportunity to work on the skifield during Japan's winter season. The skifield specialises i n teaching parallel skiing

and caters for a large number of university students and overseas visitors. Warren will be involved in instructing intermediate and advanced skiers on basic parallel moves. All are prepared for five months of hard work. The cold dry climate and virtual windless conditions means the skifield never has a closed day. The city is built on the slopes of the skifield, which becomes a golf course in summer. Each saved their own fare

to Japan through work around town and on the Drayton's farm. They will be returning in time for the start of the 1988 ski season at Turoa and will continue training with TASCI. Warren, a qualified New Zealand ski instructor, is undecided about what he will do on his return since giving up racing his year. They will be meeting up with members of the TASCI ski team exchange in January.