Snowboarding on a dry slope, first time ever. I was bad.
Discussion
Just had a 1 hr taster session, which i enjoyed alot (good job because ive already booked 6 hours of lessons.
But i wasnt great, some of those on the session (8 of us or so) were very good. One woman was terrified.
I fell once because i started to panic and was gaining speed so i decided (honest gov') id best fall on my ass to avoid a run away train scenario.
Im not in any way sporty. In fact this is the first sport ive done (bar occasional casual swim) for 6 years (since i left school).
My balance is generally good (ride a motorbike daily) but i struggled to figure out where to shift my weight.
Is everyone like this first time?
Ill go for my lessons regardless.
At least i wasnt terrified of falling over, which surprised me.
But i wasnt great, some of those on the session (8 of us or so) were very good. One woman was terrified.
I fell once because i started to panic and was gaining speed so i decided (honest gov') id best fall on my ass to avoid a run away train scenario.
Im not in any way sporty. In fact this is the first sport ive done (bar occasional casual swim) for 6 years (since i left school).
My balance is generally good (ride a motorbike daily) but i struggled to figure out where to shift my weight.
Is everyone like this first time?
Ill go for my lessons regardless.
At least i wasnt terrified of falling over, which surprised me.
russ_a said:
Is there a real snow slope anywhere near you?
No, but my mum lives in Switzerland. So hopefully i get lots of "real snow" time.Mr E said:
You'll spend 2 hours sitting on your arse. Then something will click, and it'll start to work for you.
Trust me on this.
Then you'll feel like you're getting somewhere and at exactly that point you'll catch a front edge, have a moderate stack and feel like crap again.
Enjoy.
Haha. That doesnt surprise me. Ill be patient and carry some pain killers. sliding on the stuff hurts i take it?Trust me on this.
Then you'll feel like you're getting somewhere and at exactly that point you'll catch a front edge, have a moderate stack and feel like crap again.
Enjoy.
Yep!
The most difficult thing to master I found was to lean into the slope (to make yourself purpendicular to it), rather than trying to stay vertical as is natural. If you do the latter, you end up steering with the back of the board, and you come off. Of course, leaning into it makes you go faster, which is scary :P
The most difficult thing to master I found was to lean into the slope (to make yourself purpendicular to it), rather than trying to stay vertical as is natural. If you do the latter, you end up steering with the back of the board, and you come off. Of course, leaning into it makes you go faster, which is scary :P
You never stop stacking it when snowboarding in fact if you aren't falling over when snowboarding you aren't learning anything or at least that is what I find ;-).
One thing I'd say though is always wear a helmet and if riding park (freestyle snowboarding e.g. rails, kickers boxes etc) add tail bone and back protection.
As for learning the key is to break it down into sections. By that I mean work from the feet up so think about what your feet are doing first then the knees then hips and so forth. Also as your on lessons treat the instructor as a priceless resource and ask as many questions/get as much feedback as possible on how you ride. Even if a question seems dumb ask it anyway. Your paying for their time and guidance use it :-).
This helped me loads always think about where you are looking. Your body will go where you look so pick a spot ahead and aim for it remembering especially on the heel edge turn to really bring your head around so you could almost rest your chin on your shoulder.
Try to also remember to take a good look into the distance every few seconds so you can spot any obstacles in the way or pick out any interesting looking lines or fresh snow.
Another one to keep in mind if you are feeling tired stop and take a break even if that means stopping for the day. You are far more likely to injure yourself when tired so don't take the risk and push on as it will end badly.
Lastly I didn't think this would work but a snowboard instructor told me at the end of the day when your on the last run of the day and slightly fatigued sing a song all the way down. The music helps you keep a rhythm and critically singing really loudly makes people think your crazy so the stay out of your way. I certainly found my turns were massively smoother on those last runs when singing Taylor swift.. er I mean Hendrix songs!
One thing I'd say though is always wear a helmet and if riding park (freestyle snowboarding e.g. rails, kickers boxes etc) add tail bone and back protection.
As for learning the key is to break it down into sections. By that I mean work from the feet up so think about what your feet are doing first then the knees then hips and so forth. Also as your on lessons treat the instructor as a priceless resource and ask as many questions/get as much feedback as possible on how you ride. Even if a question seems dumb ask it anyway. Your paying for their time and guidance use it :-).
This helped me loads always think about where you are looking. Your body will go where you look so pick a spot ahead and aim for it remembering especially on the heel edge turn to really bring your head around so you could almost rest your chin on your shoulder.
Try to also remember to take a good look into the distance every few seconds so you can spot any obstacles in the way or pick out any interesting looking lines or fresh snow.
Another one to keep in mind if you are feeling tired stop and take a break even if that means stopping for the day. You are far more likely to injure yourself when tired so don't take the risk and push on as it will end badly.
Lastly I didn't think this would work but a snowboard instructor told me at the end of the day when your on the last run of the day and slightly fatigued sing a song all the way down. The music helps you keep a rhythm and critically singing really loudly makes people think your crazy so the stay out of your way. I certainly found my turns were massively smoother on those last runs when singing Taylor swift.. er I mean Hendrix songs!
my only recommendation to anyone learning to board is- impact shorts (aka padded pants!). they are shorts you wear under your boarding trousers with padding (or even plastic protection) on the tail bone and hips. they really take the edge off the falling on your a$$. and as you'll have found out, this happens a lot.
kentlad said:
Dry snow slopes are next to impossible to learn Boarding on IME. I found they were nothing like proper snow slopes. Good luck & don't get down on yourself! Also, real snow hurts a heck of a lot less when you stack!
This chaps got the right idea learn on the mountain. and don't worry if you get called a "gay on a tray"That's just what boarders are called
Benbay001 said:
First lesson today, wouldnt say it was a success, because my ass hurts like f
k. But im definately getting better.
Thats good, sbowboarding isnt that hard but it does hurt for the first few times! Esp on a dry slope.k. But im definately getting better.Its actually easier once you get up onto a more angled slope, you catch the front edge way less.
Always keep your weight on the back edge (into the slope).
When turning you shift weight onto your front foot until heading down the slope , then load up your back foot on the other end ( toes to heel and vv).
So toes, front foot, heel, heels front foot, toes etc
Gassing Station | Sports | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff