Published on:
11
June 2012
A fifth year pupil at Lornshill Academy, Calum McEwan is bidding for a ski scholarship which would see him become a qualified ski instructor by the time he's 18.
Calum is one of only 30 young skiers in the UK to have been selected by Interski, who select 10 of the most talented young skiers every year to be awarded the honour, which is worth £6000.
Calum, a member of Fir Park Ski Club, was put forward for the award by Clackmannanshire Council community worker Iain Findlater, who gives many people the chance to ski who may not otherwise have the opportunity.
The club makes regular trips to the indoor snow dome in Glasgow and make one trip a year abroad, which is booked with Interski, the school ski trip company.
Calum was amongst those lucky enough to travel to Italian ski resort Pila in February this year where he was spotted by an Interski Instructor who had been briefed to assess performance, personality and adaptability on the slopes.
Calum said: "After our week's skiing in the resort, our instructor put me forward for the Interski Scholarship.
"Alongside two other hopefuls, several runs of our skiing were filmed and in May, at the end of the season, these videos were then judged, with only 27 going forward from the 300 to an intensive day's training in Manchester during July.
"I will be up against 29 of the best young skiers from around the country, where we will spend the day with some of the most qualified ski instructors in the world will be put through our paces as we ski for this once in a lifetime opportunity."
The intensive selection day will take place at the Chill Factore in Manchester and all the shortlisted participants will be filmed so the footage could be analysed later.
Calum added: "I will then have to wait nervously for several days for the letter and for news of whether I was successful or not.
Calum, from Sauchie, was chosen from 10,000 people who travelled with Interski.
" I was chosen as one of the 30 best to go to Manchester," added Calum. "This is a chance I will never get again and I intend to grasp it with both hands."
Calum, who is the oldest of three brothers in his family, began skiing five years ago while a pupil at Craigbank Primary School.
He said: "I've never been a racer or entered competitions, but enjoy teaching and helping others. So if I achieve this scholarship I will be able to get a job on the slopes and get paid for what is essentially a hobby."
Calum, who trains two hours a week on a Monday night, has moved through the ranks at Fir Park Ski club from being a level one beginner to attaining his level seven certificate and has learned more about skiing during three trips to Italy with Interski.
Formerly a rugby player as well, Calum has also been involved in coaching swimming.
"At present in skiing, the most I am permitted to do is shadow instructors until I can instruct by myself and achieve my British Associate of Snowsports Instructors (BASI Level 1) certificate." added Calum. "
It is his aim to have achieved BASI Level 2 status and be qualified to teach on reaching his 18th birthday
"That would allow me to teach anywhere in the world, a great opportunity for any aspiring young skier," said Calum.
Head of Education, Belinda Greer said: "Congratulations to Calum on this achievement. To be one of only 30 in the UK to make the final shortlist is fantastic. This is a great opportunity and I wish him all the best."