Snow Sports NZ Adaptive Festival
Meet the Instructors
Sheena Haywood
Ski Instructor
Hello I am Sheena the Adaptive Snowsports Co-ordinator for both The Remarkables and Coronet Peak. It is a delight to host you all for the festival.
My ski instruction love affair started way back when I was 15 years old helping in the school holidays at Turoa Ski Fields. I got my Level 1 at 17 years old and continued into my 20's teaching skiing part time both in NZ and Japan. Then in 2020 I lept back onto the scene again reliving my teenagehood I upskilled myself with current Certs and added Adaptive Snowsports onto the mix. Jamming more learning in by heading to Canada during our summer seasons I have spent the past four seasons predominately teaching full time in the Adaptive Snowsports World. I have my CADs Level 3 and CC1 certifercaton. This past summer I have been both an instructors and a BC Adaptive Trainer in Canada, running workshops has been adding to my knowledge base. I love the buzz we all get when sharing the love of skiing and riding in the mountains. Anything is possible with gentle support, lets make wonderful winter memories together. I am looking forward to showing you the snow and together we can have some fun.
Alan Spence
Ski Instructor
My love of skiing started at age of 4 at the dry slopes which I would eventually work for. At 16 years old I was allowed to do my instructor qualification and to my surprised passed. I worked on and off as a ski instructor throughout college and university at the UK dry slopes. I took up Snowboarding in my teen years and later qualified as a snowboard instructor my first winter season in Japan. After that I went back-to-back winters for 5 years working in South Africa and several different resorts in Japan.
I started with a love of Snowsports and eventually found a new love and joy in snowsport instructing. My intro into Adaptive Snowsports was my first season at The Remarkable in 2018. I have loved learning and expanding my knowledge in the Adaptive Snowsports world. Creating a bigger tool kit to suit students needs. Part of the joy in working with our Adaptive Guests is thought seeing student's joy in achieving in our winter enviroment. No matter how big or small the goal is. Giving students a new freedom and independence in something they thought they would never do.
My Certs are NZSIA Adaptive L3, NZSIA Ski L3, CASI Snowboard L2, NZSIA Race 1, NZSIA Children cert L2, NZSIA Freestyle L1
Christy Brennan
Ski Instructor
I have been a ski instructor since 2006, with seasons spent working in France, the US, Canada, and NZ. I have qualifications in the British, Canadian, and NZ systems.
Since moving to New Zealand, I have worked at The Remarkables for the past 11 years. This is where I was first exposed to Adaptive Snowsports, and quickly signed up to volunteer with the program. I have been an Adaptive instructor for 10 years, and now enjoy also being a trainer in this field.
I am passionate about skiing, and I love making it accessible for anyone and everyone to enjoy.
Andrea Morello
Ski and Snowboard Instructor
Hi I am Andrea, an Italian snowboarder and skier chasing the snow around the globe. I fell in love with snowboarding almost 20 years ago back in Italy. I have dedicated myself to progress and share this passion which brought me to New Zealand in 2013, this is where I got my citizenship and my instructor qualifications.
Teaching in 2017 at The Remarkables which is now my home mountain, I have done seasons in Canada and Japan.
I have my Snowboard Cert level 3, Ski Cert level 1, Kids Cert and of course my Adaptive Cert.
Working with the adaptive program is been an incredible journey for me over the years. I love the deep exchange of knowledge as well as the unique and deep connections. I am grateful to be able to bring a joy and fun in someone else life trough snowsports and help them to achieve their goal.
I look forward to share my knowledge and will guide you from the first couple of turns to ride or ski all over the mountain.
Let us make a memorable experience together!
