Published on:
16
July 2012
Fifth year Lornshilll Academy pupil, Calum McEwan, has been awarded one of the most coveted ski scholarship's in Britain which could now see him become a fully qualified ski instructor by the time he's 18.
Calum was one of only 30 young hopefuls in the UK selected by Interski to take part in an intensive event, with only 10 eventually selected for a scholarship worth £6000 each.
The youngster, 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.
He was up against 29 of the best young skiers from all over the UK, where they spent the day with some of the most qualified ski instructors in the world and were put through their paces for a once in a lifetime opportunity. Originally 300 young skiers from around Britain had applied.
The intensive selection day took place last week at the state-of-the-art Chill Factore in Manchester and all the shortlisted participants were filmed so the footage could be analysed later as additional information, before the 10 scholarships were announced.
This week Calum found out the fantastic news that he was one of the 10 selected and will now travel to the Italian ski resort Pila in December to do his British Associate of Snowsports Instructors (BASI Level 1) certificate.
Next Easter Interski who will further assess Calum's performance, personality and adaptability on the slopes as he moves to achieving his BASI Level 2 certificate which will allow him to coach worldwide.
Calum, from Sauchie, said: "Previously in skiing, the most I was permitted to do was shadow instructors.. Now that I have achieved my I can instruct myself.
" I was chosen as one of the 30 best to go to Manchester. This was a chance I would never get again and I intended to grasp it with both hands.
"As the day went on I got the impression I was doing well. It went quicker than I imagined. I was told I would get a call or an e-mal a few days later and hadn't heard from them. When I finally heard the good news I was over the moon, I couldn't believe it. I was speechless.
"I've never been a racer or entered competitions, but enjoy teaching and helping others. So if by achieving this scholarship I will be able to get a job on the slopes and get paid for what is essentially a hobby."
Calum was one of only three young ski instructors in Scotland, out of six who had made the final 10, to win a scholarship. The other two youngsters came from Glasgow.
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. His knowledge of the sport has increased following three previous trips to Italy with Interski.
Formerly a keen rugby player ,Calum's other hobbies include coaching swimming.
It is his aim to have achieved his BASI Level 2 ski instructing 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," added Calum.
Councillor Donald Balsillie, Clackmannanshire Council's Convenor of Enterprise and the Environment, said: "I would like to congratulate Calum on this wonderful achievement. To be one of only 30 in the UK to make the final shortlist was fantastic in itself, but to have taken it a stage further and win one of the 10 scholarships and achieve his Level One coaching award is outstanding. I wish him all the best for the future. Clackmannanshire should be very proud of his terrific skiing and coaching abilities.
"I had the pleasure of seeing Calum in action first hand when he was using his coaching skills to the full, putting our young guests from our French twin town of Vendargues through their paces on the Fir Park Dry Ski Slope."
Calum, who is the oldest of three brothers in his family, remarkably only began skiing five years ago while a pupil at Craigbank Primary School.