ABOUT US
Flight Freestyle is an independent UK snowboard coaching company based at The Snow Centre in Manchester, helping riders build the skills, confidence and experience they need to take their snowboarding further.
From building confidence on the piste to developing technique, freestyle and park skills, our coaching is designed around where you are now and where you want to take your riding.
But the progression doesn't stop in Manchester!
Get yourself mountain-ready here, then come to Austria and spend a week actually developing your riding with your own coach. Our fully coached Alpine trips are designed to bridge the gap between indoor snow and the mountains — giving you the opportunity to put your skills into practice, explore new terrain and progress in a real mountain environment.
TRAIN IN MANCHESTER. GET MOUNTAIN-READY. RIDE AUSTRIA.
If you'd like to express your interest in joining us in the Alps, simply complete our Contact Form and we'll get in touch with all the information as soon as it's available.
The Flight Freestyle BEAST!
OUR TEAM
DAVE CHAPMAN
UK Based Snowboard Freestyle Coach
At home in the Alps in Manchester, The Snow Centre
Taking a breather with a junior crew in Hochzillertal, Austria
A snowy faced beardy man in Mayrhofen, Austria
With over 20 years in the snowsports industry, snowboarding has been a huge part of Dave's life. But his journey into coaching started somewhere quite different — playing trumpet in the horn section of the five-piece band, Whiskycats.
Whiskycats had music played on BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 6 Music, and were lucky enough to headline Kendal Calling, Academy 1 Manchester and the legendary Ronnie Scott’s in London. Dave still enjoys producing music in the electronic form under the alias 'The Sleeping Man Awakes', with a number of tracks available from all major online streaming services and music stores.
When the band disbanded and Chill Factore Manchester was built, Dave made the transition into the snowsports industry. What started as a new direction became a career developing his own riding and coaching riders of all ages and abilities.
Throughout his life, he's always been addicted to learning new skills in all areas of life. From juggling five balls at once and creating large masterpieces on 1.5m canvases, to renovating houses and, of course, playing trumpet in a highly energetic skiffle/pop band.
All these experiences have shaped how Dave coaches and taught him the importance of transferable skills — balance, movement, coordination, timing, confidence and creativity — all of which can be brought back to your snowboarding.
"I'm passionate about helping riders build confidence, improve their technique and discover their own style. Coaching isn't just about landing tricks; it's about understanding the rider and giving them the skills and confidence to keep progressing."
For Dave, snowboarding is about pushing yourself, being creative, finding your own style and enjoying the journey.
"I used to be anxious about falling over as an instructor, especially when I was being watched, because I didn't want to feel embarrassed — like I wasn't worthy of my qualification. But then I realised this is exactly what I don't want my students to feel, so I wanted to change how I felt about it too.
It's a common thing amongst instructors. I know this because I've spoken to many of them about it. Now, I actually don't care about falling over. In fact, I think it's one of the best things you can practise as a snowboarder because it's all part of progressing and pushing yourself further.
Sometimes it hurts, as I remember driving myself to A&E with broken ribs on one occasion, but that's just part of the sport we love. Knowing when to push those boundaries is a bit of a milestone, because we're not always in the right frame of mind to do so.
That's where I can really help — keeping riders on the right track, avoiding frustration and creating as many good times as possible!"
Learn. Progress. Create. Enjoy. ❤️
MALCOM MCLEAN
Olympic & World Cup
Ski/Snowboard Coach
Malcolm has a decade of experience coaching young athletes to the top of their game. He has personally coached with national teams and nurtured individual athletes from more countries than most people ride in a lifetime.
One happy Olympic and World Cup coach Malcom McLean, Austria
And the results speak for themselves. Youth Olympic gold, junior freeride world champions in both ski and snowboard. Malcolm’s alumni include multiple World Cup and Olympic athletes.
Here's the part that matters for you: none of that stays locked up for the pros. Malcolm brings that thinking to your week, whether you're chasing your first clean turn or your first proper spin. He hands it all over. Everything he's learned building riders at the very top, pointed squarely at wherever you are right now.
Off the snow, he's an aspiring surfer, mountain biker and pianist, three things he's cheerfully, determinedly still not very good at, which tells you everything about how he thinks about learning.
Malcom coaching at the Zillertal Valley Ralley, Austria