Archives

Hisayuki Kojima

Kojima started ski racing when he was 7 years old and raced for the next 16 years. After which he decided to switch and took up snowboard racing and won the Japanese National Championship 3 times. He was a member of the national team for 6 years and competed at World Championship and World Cup. After retiring from his racing career he became a high school teacher. He formed the first Japanese school snowboard team and promoted snowboarding to Japanese sports education. He founded Kojima Academy in Furano in 2002 and focused on his snowboard racing program. His program coached young snowboard athletes from around the world in Japan, New Zealand and Europe. He had a total of 6 athletes that went to Salt Lake City Olympics, Torino Olympics, and Vancouver Olympics. He again enjoyed olympic success with an athlete gaining a silver medal at the Sochi olympic games.

Rebecca Vokaty

Originally from Austrailia Rebecca has worked in almost every continent teaching skiing. Rebecca is fully internationally certified and holds PSIA level 3 certification. Rebecca teaches all ages and ability levels from adults through to Kids. She has been one of the most requested instructors at every resort she has worked in. Rebecca holds the advanced children certification and is recognised as a specialist in this area, she has trained staff at many ski schools around the globe how to produce more effective childrens lessons. Everyone enjoys her lessons regardless of age. Rebecca also is certified with the NZSIA as a race coach.

Jan Vokaty

Jan has about 30 winters of teaching and coaching experience. He is fully certified with APUL (Czech Republic) and PSIA (USA). Jan also holds USSA Coaching level 100 and NZSIA Coaching Level 2 (Performance Coach) certifications. Jan was born in Czech Republic. He grew up in a small ski village in the Czech mountains. His parents introduced him to ski team and ski racing at 4 years of age and he ski raced on a local skiteam until he was about 16 years old. Jan began teaching skiing in 1995. In just two seasons, he completed his level 1, 2 and 3 instructor’s certifications and became ISIA certified. In 1997 Jan became a member of the Czech National Demo Team and APUL examiner. He has spent 7 winters working as an instructor and staff trainer in Europe. In 2002 he went to New Zealand and spent 4 seasons teaching skiing and 3 seasons coaching with Cardrona HPC Alpine Ski Team. 2004 was Jan’s first winter working in the USA. He spent 7 seasons working for Mammoth Mountain, the first 3 as a ski instructor and staff trainer and the last 4 working for Mammoth Mountain Ski Team as a coach. After getting his Australian permanent residency Jan started working for Perisher Ski School. On his days off you can find Jan free skiing or taking photos of ski racing, powder skiing or free style skiers and snowboarders.