Our Talented Coaches

For the Woodward at Copper coaching staff we’ve gathered some of the best skiers, snowboarders and gymnasts in the land to teach you aerial awareness and then show you how to apply those skills to your skiing and riding. Bounce on the trampolines with Olympian Phoebe Mills, hit the big ramp with Dave Zweig, or ride through Woodward Central Terrain Park with Rick Shimpeno.

Training

All of our coaches go through intensive training and background checks. They are only picked because they are the best around! They all have strong work experience, great attitudes, tons of knowledge, and we trust will bring you the most quality camp experience possible. We are alcohol, drug, and tobacco free.

Check out some of our coaches below, and come visit them at the barn!

Phoebe Mills - Program Manager

Bio:  Phoebe took up gymnastics classes when she was 6 years old, started training with Bela and Martha Karolyi at age 11, earned a spot on the 1988 U.S. Olympic Team in Seoul, South Korea where she won a bronze medal on the balance beam.

Phoebe learned how to snowboard after graduating with a BA in Environmental Policy in ’95, and then moved to Ludlow, Vermont to work as a coach at the Okemo Mountain School from 1996-2000. She was also selected to coach the United States of America Snowboard Association (USASA) Junior National Team (JNT) from 1998-2000.

Phoebe then began teaching gymnastics at Woodward Camp in Woodward, PA the summer of 1997, and she has returned every summer since then. She developed a basic gymnastics and aerial awareness program for snowboarders in 1998.

Phoebe is intimately involved in the design of the new Woodward at Copper facility as well as developing the daily programs and summer camps. She is also involved with the USASA as Vice President and is currently a professional snowboard judge.

Rick Shimpeno - Assistant Program Manager

Bio:  Rick Shimpeno has been working as a Professional Snowboard Coach for the past thirteen years.  He began his career with the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club in 1995, working with snowboarders of all ages and abilities.  Many professional riders came out of the AVSC program, riders such as Gretchen Bleiler, Jason Earz Smith, and Laura Hadar.  While working with the Aspen team Rick was chosen as an assistant coach for the US Jr. National team in the year 2000.  He attended the Jr. World competition in Les Menuirs, France with a team of riders from through out the United States.  In 2001 Rick moved east and worked for two seasons with the Killington Mountain School Snowboard program before moving on to work with the Stratton Mountain School.  Five years with the Stratton Mountain School, a USSA Domestic Coach of the year award (2005), and another Jr. World's trip to Zermatt, Switzerland also in 2005 bring us to the present. 

Rick is entrenched with the activity he loves most.  Still Snowboarding and Still Loving it.

Giri Watts- Head Coach

Years Snowboarding: 11 years

Years Skateboarding: 3 years

Teaching for 7 years

Hometown: Floyd, VA

Accomplishments:Bachelor of Science in Recreation Management from JMU, Trainers Accreditation through AASI (American Association of Snowboard Instructors), Watching a rope drop and getting pow turns to start the season

Favorite thing about coaching:There’s always a good energy in the Barn and lots of smiles. Whether people are trying their first backflip or their first dub-cork, the coaches and class participants always create a good vibe for everyone to feel confident and excited about their own progression.

Shout outs… to my beautiful wife, Anne, and Tula, the coolest dog ever. Also to the legendary Chris Pappas, who taught me how to ride.

Tyler Conway- Coach

Years Skiing: 10

Years Skateboarding: 8

Years Teaching: 8

Hometown: Breckenridge, Co

Favorite thing at Woodward: The Barn just killz it.

Shout Outs: Casey Fooz, Pat G, Chris Hawks and the Mac named Dre

Chris Pappas- Coach

Started sking in 1977

Started snowboarding in 1979

First skated in 1972.

High school gymnast for 4 years; won 3rd in state team 17th individual P bars

Hometown: Boulder Colorado/Eldora mountain

Top 3 Accomplishments: After serious car wreck 1977 my two broken legs worked well enough to help me become a pro snowboarder. I helped to raise my daughter Madison and she is a beautiful, good person. AASI level 3 certified instructor.
Favorite thing about coaching at Woodward: Seeing old freinds and meeting new people and helping them to learn new tricks.
Shout Outs: Thanks to my brother George Pappas

Ben Way-Coach

Finished 7th on Floor Ex at NAIA Nationals two years running back in the late 70’s.

Has been doing gymnastics since age 11.

Has been snowboarding since age 13.

Has been teaching skiing at Copper since 1982, he is still teaching part-time in Cooper's ski and ride school.

Hometown: Anoka, MN. 

Accomplishments: 
Degree in Early Childhood Education, Ben coached gymnastics for local programs, High School and College teams. He coached gymnastics and skiing during the 80’s and 90’s in both Summit County and New Zealand. After a five year stint in the public school system, he realized he was better at teaching kids to move than sit still. He then became head coach of the Silverthorne Storm, gymnastics program at the Silverthorne Recreation Center, in 2000.

Ben is also a certified Brain Gym® Instructor/Consultant. Brain Gym is a movement based, energy program that helps in learning anything.

Favorite thing about Coaching at Woodward: Seeing – and helping create – all of the huge smiles from all of the huge air and huge tricks!!

Lauren Gearhart-Coach

Years in competitive gymnastics: 10

Years snowboarding: 15

Has been coaching recreational and competitive gymnastics and cheerleading since 2005

Hometown: Bowling Green, Ohio

Accomplishments: Lauren helped develop the program for Woodward at Copper Cheer and Tumble Camp.  In addition to attending Camp Woodward PA for gymnastics as a teen, Lauren has been invited back to be part of the Camp Woodward Cheer Staff. 

Bachelor’s degree in Health Promotion and a Master of Public Health from Bowling Green State University.

Lauren also has her AASI Snowboard Instructor Cert 1 in addition to AFAA group exercise instructor certification. 

 

Greg Reister- Coach

Year Skiing: 23

Years Riding: 20

Years Skateboarding: 10 years

One year of formal gymnastic experience

Years Coaching: 5

Hometown: Wabasha, MN

Accomplishments:Completing a bachelors and masters degree in exercise physiology, becoming a certified strength and conditioning specialist, moving to summit county to fulfill my dream of riding powder, park and pipe on a daily basis.

Favorite thing about Woodward at Copper:Being surrounded by coaches and athletes that have the same mentality as myself, we all live to ski and snowboard.

Shout out... I want to give a shout out to my parents, my family, my friends, and all my former teachers/professors...I would not be where I am today without your help and encouragement, thank you.

Chad Otterstrom- Coach

Years snowboarding: 22

Years skiing: 5

Years skating: 24

Years doing gymnastics: 2

Years teaching: 3

Hometown: Shoreview, MN

Accomplishments: 1995 USASA Nationals 1st slopestyle, 2005 Transworld rider of the year

Favorite thing about Woodward at Copper: Meeting new people, watching them get better and checking out all the action.

Shout Outs: Nate Dogggg

Sponsors: Solid Snowboards, Bonfire, Bolle, Bluebird Wax, Defcon Gloves, Sundiego Boardshop, Neff, Vans Shoes, Nixon

Dave Zweig- Coach

Hometown:   State College, PA

Accomplishments:

  • Usasa Nationals 2009 Open Class Slopestyle – 2nd place
  • Winter Park Open 2009 13th place
  • Mount Snow Anti-Gravity Grail Semi-Pro Big Air 2005 – 2nd place
  • Freeskier (Woodward @ Copper Ad) – December 2008
  • Powder Magazine (Resort Guide Picture) – October 2008
  • Copper/Woodward @ Copper Media 2008/2009