EXPERT PREP
PREPARE OR RETEST FOR THE EXPERT COACH – LEVEL 4 CERTIFICATION
The GSMBC Expert Prep Course is a focused 2-day course designed to elevate your coaching and riding ahead of the 5-day Expert Coach Course—required for GSMBC Level 4 Certification. While not a mandatory prerequisite, it offers direct exposure to the expectations, content, and standards of Level 4.
This course also provides a structured retest opportunity for PMBIA Level 4 Instructors and GSMBC Level 4 Coaches who need to re-demonstrate their coaching or riding skills.
2-Day Course
Refine your COACHING skills FOR advanced to expert riders
Sharpen your approach for long-term recreational and competitive programs
Gain clarity and confidence before attempting the top-tier Expert Coach – Level 4 Certification
COURSE OVERVIEW
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GSMBC Level 3 Coaches & Level 4 Retests.
PMBIA Level 3 Coaches & PMBIA Level 4 Retests.
This courses serves two main functions - to either prepare coaches for the 5-day Expert Coach Course, or as a retest for coaches who have already attended the PMBIA Level 4 or GSMBC Expert Coach 5-day course and are re-testing their riding or coaching components.
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The Expert Prep course equips coaches to successfully prepare for the Expert Coach Course and the Level 4 Certification by offering a clear overview of the course content and certification standards.
Participants receive personalized feedback on their riding and coaching skills, helping them identify areas for development before attending the comprehensive 5-day Expert Coach Course.
A focused 2-day prep course designed to ready coaches for the 5-day Expert Coach – Level 4 Certification. Build confidence riding advanced to expert trails, including medium to extra-large tabletop jumps.
Ideal for professionals aiming to coach expert riders across all terrains and disciplines—jumps, drops, steeps, and high-speed riding.
Tailored for Level 3 certified coaches or instructors preparing to guide advanced to expert riders through both short- and long-term coaching programs.
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2-day course plus 1-2 hours of pre-course reading and online workshop.
Total of 18 hours, including both riding and coaching development
NO OFFICIAL ASSESSMENT: Only for those coaches attending this course to prepare for the 5-day Expert Coach Course.
RETEST ASSESSMENT: For those coaches attending this course to retest their riding or coaching components of the Expert Coach - Level 4 Certification.
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GSMBC Level 3 or PMBIA Level 3 Certification is required. PMBIA & BICP Certified? Get your free crossover certs here
5+ seasons of coaching experience recommended, but not mandatory
Comfortable riding at speed on technical and flowy advanced to expert, including green, blue, black and double black trails
40hr MTB-specific Wilderness First Aid (or equivalent) is strongly recommended, but not required
Minimum age requirement of 17. Coaching advanced riders involves greater inherent risks, requiring higher levels of skill and accountability from coaches who bear legal responsibility for their students.
EXPERT PREP - 2-DAYS TO ELEVATE YOUR GAME AND PREPARE OR RETEST FOR THE LEVEL 4!
EXPERT PREP - 2-DAYS TO ELEVATE YOUR GAME AND PREPARE OR RETEST FOR THE LEVEL 4!
Prepare for the Expert Coach - Level 4 Course or retest for your PMBIA or GSMBC Level 4.
Refine your ability to coach advanced skills on expert terrain, including technical features, jumps, and drops, using proven, rider-focused progressions.
Sharpen your eye for technique and learn how to analyze and address your students' performance with a human-centric, individualized approach.
Elevate your coaching expertise and technical knowledge to better inspire and guide riders and athletes toward their full potential.
Personal video analysis on every coursE WITH THE Sportsense coaching app!
COURSE INSIGHT VIDEO
This video provides an insight into some of the terrain and riding skill examples that are typical during the 2-day Expert Prep and 5-day Expert Coach - Level 4 Course
✺ Frequently asked questions ✺
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BIKE: We recommend either a modern, well maintained downhill bike or enduro bike with at least 6 inches (150mm) of front and rear suspension with good quality disc brakes and tires, is ideal for this course. It doesn’t need to be the latest and greatest, just well maintained and appropriate for riding advanced, technical terrain. Click here to view a suitable trail bike for this course.
A good quality, well fitted full face helmet and knee pads are mandatory.
Gloves, elbow and spine protection are recommended but not essential.
Food, water, tools, spare tube and clothing to suit the conditions that day… we ride rain or shine!
First aid kit not essential, but recommended.
Well maintained, modern mountain bike ideally with suspension and disc brakes
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Every GSMBC course aims to finish between 4 - 4.30pm, depending on the conditions that day and the specific course location.
Coaches are required to attend the course in full to be eligible for GSMBC Coach Certifications.
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The minimum age requirement for this course is 17 years old. With a higher degree of inherent risk associated with riding with and coaching advanced mountain bikers, requires an increase age minimum compared to the Intermediate Coach Course.
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Yes, for now. The lift accessed environment allows us to not only access a huge variety of terrain but also helps manage energy levels when riding and coaching during in expert terrain during the 2-day course. This helps keeps the coaches stoked while managing risk and covering course content efficiently.
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No - if you’re taking this course to simply prepare for the Expert Coach Course, there is no official assessment. However coaches will receive a Performance & Feedback Form personalized to develop their own training plan to elevate their coaching and riding game to the next level!
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Yes! Your GSMBC Mentor will work with you to develop your bike set up and technical riding skills throughout the course.
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The pathway towards the Level 4 requires coaches to;
Meet the course standards (see full 5-day Expert Coach Course here) for all the written, coaching and riding components of the expert coaching course.
Attend at least one GSMBC Online Class.
Many coaches work as instructors or coaches for many years before attending the Expert Coaching Course. This industry experience is a key training tool to building the knowledge, skills and experience that are necessary to become a top-tier Level 4 Coach.
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Our goal is to create a fun, friendly, non-intimidating atmosphere, so coaches can learn and progress at ease. The coaching and riding skill assessments continue throughout the 5 day course as an overall impression, avoiding a ‘final exam’ senario. This human centric approach reduces stress and lets coaches explore, learn, and grow through experience.
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Coaches are assessed using the PECAM Marking System that we have adapted from the Coaches of Canada Skill Development Model.
Processing | Emerging | Consolidating | Autonomous | Mastery
Level 4 Coaches are required to be at the Autonomous level of skill development, or higher, for both their riding and coaching skills.
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Level 4. Coaches are required to be at the ‘Autonomous’ stage of skill development in both the coaching and riding skill assessments, while coaching expert riders in expert terrain.
Some technical examples include:
Dynamic Position: Demonstrates advanced body positioning, maintaining control and agility during steep descents, high-speed trails, and technical features such as jumps and drops.
Speed Control: Applies precise braking techniques to manage speed on loose, steep, or technical terrain, including controlled approaches to jumps and drops.
Flow: Scans and anticipates varied terrain, choosing optimal lines to maintain speed, efficiency, and smooth transitions, particularly when navigating jumps, drops, and tight technical sections.
Cornering: Applies advanced cornering techniques, including high-speed skills, proper bike-body separation, and smooth transitions through diverse and challenging corners.
Bumps and Rollers: Uses body mechanics to absorb or pump through bumps and rollers, maintaining speed and control in technical terrain.
Jumps and Drops: Demonstrates proper technique for takeoff, mid-air control, and landings, showing confidence and precision on safe, well designed bike park medium, large and x-large tabletop jumps and drops.
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Coaches must establish strong connections with students to effectively plan, adapt, and deliver engaging, relevant, and safe lessons.
Level 4 Coaches are required to be at the ‘Autonomous’ stage of skill development in both the coaching and riding skill assessments, while coaching expert riders in expert terrain.
Core Certification Standards for advanced-level coaching include:
Applying GSMBC Coaching Models to deliver precise, impactful lessons that inspire growth and elevate student control and performance.
Building rapport with students to foster a socially safe and productive learning environment.
Demonstrating advanced risk management and safety prioritization on challenging mountain bike terrain.
Confidently leading groups in dynamic, intermediate to advanced terrain.
Developing progression plans tailored to student goals, ensuring concise and precise communication.
Utilizing varied demonstration techniques to effectively model proper riding and technical skills.
Assessing individual student abilities and adapting lessons to meet varying skill levels and learning styles.
Providing clear, constructive feedback to guide improvement while maintaining student confidence.
Course Includes GSMBC Coaching Manual, Course Guide & Online Workshop
Why not grab yourself some GSMBC Merch when you’re heading through checkout?!
COURSE REQUESTS?
If you or your team, friends or community are looking to book a course at a new location or during a time that is currently offered, please reach out to us via our course request form, available here: