How developing the skill of focused attention for Alpine Ski
Instructors helps to foster more flow experiences

Abstract

The purpose of this lecture is to share on-going research in relation to developing the skill of focused attention with elite level Alpine ski instructors from the Irish Interski demonstration ski team. It is posited that ski instructors who develop the skill of focused attention increase the likelihood of experiencing flow when performing. Focused attention is one of the nine dimensions of flow (Csikszentmihalyi, Latter, & Duranso, 2017; Jackson & Csikszentmihalyi, 1999; Kagan, Sollini, & Tate, 2018) and is an active process that can be improved over time. The present study is using a mindfulness based skiing specific intervention (MBSSI; Tate, 2018) to develop the skill of focused attention primarily during lift riding time. Jon Kabat-Zinn (2004) defines mindfulness as “paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally” (p. 4). Hence the skill of focusing your attention is common to both mindfulness and flow. Six members of the Irish Interski Team will participate in semi-structured interviews following the implementation of the MBSSI training program. The data will subsequently be analysed for themes.

Keywords: Focused attention, flow, mindfulness

Full details of Ireland’s workshop and lecture presentation and their contribution to Interski 2019 and future snowsport can be found in their online brochure/magazine on http://online.flipbuilder.com/pgfa/wwbd/

Derek Tate holds a postgraduate diploma in Sports Coaching and has completed two years of the MSc Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP). He holds the BASI International Ski Teacher Diploma and the IASI Alpine Level 4 Euro Ski Pro. He is the current Chairman of the Irish Association of Snowsports Instructors (IASI) andHe ad of Delegation for the Irish Interski Team for the Interski 2019 congress in Pamporovo, Bulgaria.

References:
Csikszentmihalyi, M., Latter, P., & Duranso, W. C. (2017). Running Flow,
Mental immersion techniques for better running. Human Kinetics.