Ski Patrol is welcoming new candidates to join the volunteer first aid and safety organization at Swain Resort
From Swain Resort, pictured are Patrollers practicing toboggan work
[SWAIN, NY] Mother Nature has blessed the skiers and snowboarders of Western New York with snowfalls reminiscent of the 1980s. Swain Ski Patrol is now recruiting new candidates to help ensure safety on the slopes and offer first aid when needed. An informational Open House is scheduled at the ski resort on Saturday March 8, beginning at 10 AM.
Participants in the open house will be given a free lift pass for the day as well as lunch at the Patrol Room. The number of free passes is limited, so please reserve your spot by calling Patroller Steve Walker at 607-382-3195 or emailing membership@swainskipatrol.org.
Swain Ski Patrol is a volunteer organization, part of the National Ski Patrol, founded in 1938. Snowboarders are welcome. Swain Resort, founded in 1947, began welcoming snowboards in the 1970s while many other resorts were not allowing this innovative snow sport. As a patroller you add a sense of service and purpose to the sport skiing and snowboarding. When asked, “what makes ski patrol worth it?” the most typical answers are about the camaraderie and sense of family.
Ski Patrol training, provided by Swain and Genesee Valley Region Ski Patrols, involves mastering professional level first responder first aid skills as well as expert training on the snow. The Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) course is taught each year from August to early November. The ski and toboggan skills course is taught from January to March. Both OEC and toboggan skills training are mandatory for all new patrollers. Annual refresher training, short, pre-season, skill-review sessions, is required for all patrollers.
Candidates must be at least fifteen years old and there is no upper age limit. The 75-member roster of Swain Ski Patrol covers an age range from 15 to over 80 years of age. The backgrounds of the patrollers cover a wide range of day-job professions including carpenters, engineers, nurses, teachers, corporate executives, students and retirees.
Patrollers and candidates in good standing are provided a free season pass to Swain. Upon successfully completing the initial training year, additional benefits include free Swain passes for friend or family as well as significant discounts at Swain resort stores, some other ski resorts and for purchases from most major snow-sport equipment manufacturers. Swain Ski Patrol has its own furnished building with first aid facilities on the ground floor and a furnished Patrol Room upstairs with a dressing room, kitchen, dining and lounge area.
Annual responsibilities each ski patroller are to work, during ski season, a once-a-week shift assigned according the patroller’s expressed preference, attending the aforementioned annual refresher sessions, and modest dues to support national and local ski patrol administration. Optional opportunities include patrolling Swain’s off-season events, as well as advanced training, leadership and teaching future patrol candidates.
Swain Resort is in the Town of Grove on the northern edge of Allegany County. For more information go to SwainSkiPatrol.org or contact membership@swainskipatrol.org.
