Thursday, September 26, 2013

Happy September to you,

It has been too long since my last blog post.

My day job over the last three months has been working on Mount Buller Ski resort in Victoria, Australia as a full time photographer.

I have learnt to ski confidently and to take professional grade sports photographs on the snow. Due to light conditions - fog, snow, rain, blue skis. I have learnt to adapt quickly to large range of conditions.

I have been extremely lucky that there is a top class gym on the resort, with close to everything I use. I made some small adaptions but have been delighted with set up.

One of the most powerful moments for me during my stay, happened during the Victorian Inter Schools Races. 
Over the last few weeks while covering races I couldn't get over some parents methods to encourage their children to ski faster, literally racing down beside them shouting,"faster -faster". Just as a mother done that very thing her child stacked. I was embarrassed for the mother and felt sorry for the child.
Back to topic, I was shooting race photos for the physically and mentally disadvantaged children and teenagers in the Victorian Inter schools. First off I was blown away by how encouraging and helpful everyone was to each other. Then as I was about half way through the group I heard a grown man crying behind me. The woman beside him asked what was wrong and he just let out," I can't believe it I am just so proud." It was truly a touching experience that I am sure I wasn't the only one to follow suit.
Comparing the too the father and mother mentioned above, I considered which one was benefitting more from participating in the sport, and who was enjoying themselves more. I thought no matter what the mother's son would do, would she burst into tears in shear enjoyment and emotion. Two emotions came to mind, love and fear.


On reading Joe Ermann' s book Inside Out Coaching, he discusses how sports suit people that are genetically designed for that sport and how it is the coach that can have a huge impact on the child which he discuses between transactional coaches and transformational. I really recommend every parent, coach and athlete to read this book.

I would like to thank my employer Mark Woodsford for the opportunity to work and learn in such a fantastic location, the experience has been mind blowing.


The mountain living has opened my eyes to community living which lead me to to interview Jae Sabol. You can find here.


Next on my list to do before heading back to Ireland late November is to attend the Chek Institutes Holistic Lifestyle Coach Level 1 in Melbourne. I discussed some topics that will be covered with Donal Carr which you can find here.



Warm Regards,

Lorcan