Snowboarders in here please!

[SKR]Phoenix

[SKR]Phoenix

[SKR]Phoenix

Associate
Joined
12 Feb 2003
Posts
2,441
Hiya folks!

Going snowboarding for the first time tomorrow (on proper snow) and have never done it before.

So what I am after is the basics. Equipment is provided etc and I have decent clothing gear, so that's ok.

Only thing is, I know nothing and would like the basics explained if possible. Just some simple stuff like how you turn and stop. So, if anyone can do that in simple terms that would be great. Ta!
 
Southern Hemisphere?

Hmm.. you're not going to like my answer.

An instructor or experienced snowboard with you is what you need. It's impossible to explain in just text I'm sorry to say.
 
woah, slow down a bit. the learning process isn't quite that straightforward. Assuming you have an instructor, the first thing you will most likely be taught is how you use the edge of your board to control your speed whilst stood perpendicular to the fall line of the hill. Essentially, the greater the angle between the edge of the board and the hill, the more breaking effect there will be, and the slower you will slide. If the board is pointing straight down the hill, it will just continue to pick up speed.
This will take a while to get the hang of, but is very important. you need to learn to do this on both edges of your board before you can do much else.
The next step will be to learn a bit about steering your board by twisting your feet. basically, you use a pedaling motion to alter the shape of the board and affect the way that it will turn. This is because the board is going to end up with a slightly lower edge angle underneath one foot, causing that end of the board to move down the hill quicker, and turn the board towards the fall line. you can reverse the pedaling motion in the feet to counter this effect and steer the board back across the hill.

that's most likely what you would cover in an hour or so for a first lesson.
 
like nickk said, impossible to explain in text imho, make sure you sort out whether you are regular (left foot forward) or goofy (right foot forward) though before you sort out your bindings on your board - one way of doing this is working out which foot you would put forward to stablize yourself if someone pushes you in the back (I'm not convinced by this method lol but its the only one i can think of without a board on your feet)

have fun :)
 
davethe11 said:
like nickk said, impossible to explain in text imho,make sure you sort out whether you are regular (left foot forward) or goofy (right foot forward) though before you sort out your bindings on your board - one way of doing this is working out which foot you would put forward to stablize yourself if someone pushes you in the back
Click to expand...

which foot you would put forward if you were to slide across a polished floor with no shoes of etc also works.
 
NickK said:
Southern Hemisphere?

Hmm.. you're not going to like my answer.

An instructor or experienced snowboard with you is what you need. It's impossible to explain in just text I'm sorry to say.
Click to expand...

Yes, have an instructor.

wo0kie said:
woah, slow down a bit. the learning process isn't quite that straightforward. Assuming you have an instructor, the first thing you will most likely be taught is how you use the edge of your board to control your speed whilst stood perpendicular to the fall line of the hill. Essentially, the greater the angle between the edge of the board and the hill, the more breaking effect there will be, and the slower you will slide. If the board is pointing straight down the hill, it will just continue to pick up speed.
This will take a while to get the hang of, but is very important. you need to learn to do this on both edges of your board before you can do much else.
The next step will be to learn a bit about steering your board by twisting your feet. basically, you use a pedaling motion to alter the shape of the board and affect the way that it will turn. This is because the board is going to end up with a slightly lower edge angle underneath one foot, causing that end of the board to move down the hill quicker, and turn the board towards the fall line. you can reverse the pedaling motion in the feet to counter this effect and steer the board back across the hill.

that's most likely what you would cover in an hour or so for a first lesson.
Click to expand...

Thanks! It's just what I needed as I just wanted to get my head around the basic physics of it all.

We have an instructor and it's a full day thing. It's actually 6 hours on the slope, so that gives us plenty of time to give it a go.

I know it's not going to be a quick thing to learn, but when you have no clue how any of it works, it's nice when someone can give you an idea.

and as for it not being able to be explained in text.....think that was just done, lol. I know in reality it's not going to be as easy, but at least I have a rough idea!

more info appreciated!

Thanks!
 
it wasn't an ideal explanation as i'm not great with wordy type things and it's much easier to do when you can demonstrate everything at the same time.

Are you doing this at one of the domes in the UK?
 
[SKR]Phoenix;11778102 said:
Yes, have an instructor.



Thanks! It's just what I needed as I just wanted to get my head around the basic physics of it all.

We have an instructor and it's a full day thing. It's actually 6 hours on the slope, so that gives us plenty of time to give it a go.

I know it's not going to be a quick thing to learn, but when you have no clue how any of it works, it's nice when someone can give you an idea.

and as for it not being able to be explained in text.....think that was just done, lol. I know in reality it's not going to be as easy, but at least I have a rough idea!

more info appreciated!

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Boarding easy to pick very hard to master.With 4-5 days you should have the basics of boarding.Its great fun enjoy :D
 
Rather than tell you how to learn - top tips:

1. It's about weight distribution - front, back, left and right. wieght forward and it's easy to turn, weight back and the board will pick up speed so keep an eye on your weight distribution. stand with your legs shoulder width apart, slightly bent knees. that's centre - now move your weight around onto your front foot, back foot, toes, heel etc. You feel the difference? The board will react to that and it's want makes good boarders look like they're not trying..
The skill is to put that into a relex action and also be able to use it consciously.

2. Relax. The stiffer you are the more difficult it is. It's hard todo when you first start, especially when you start facing down the slope and pick up speed.
I guarantee that you will lean back out out of lack of confidence if your board faces straight down the slope. Don't, jsut relax and maintain your weight distribution as you've been told in the lesson. Leaning back will actually make the board pick up speed.

3. If you forcing it, or feel that you're forcing it, then something is wrong with your technique. Attempting to use force/strength to resolve the problem won't work.

4. Tiredness. When you board for the first time, you will get tired. You will, as a consequence of being tired, make more mistakes.. which tires you out quicker. So don't loose heart or confidence if you're making mistakes because your tired.

5. Protection. I can't stress this enough. Having seen a mate been stretchered off the slopes with a broken back (fractured 7th vertabrae), concussion, fracture ribs, etc..
YOU WILL FALL OVER LOTS.
WEAR A HELMET AND WRIST PROTECTORS at a minimum.
I would also suggest knee protectors - this makes it more comfortable kneeling on the cold ground and if you repeatedly fall onto ice forward, you'll not break your knee caps or bruise them - making you fear falling, loosing confidence.. which causes mistakes that makes you fall.. that leads to being even more tired.. a vicious circle.

Lastly - gloves. A learner snowboard will spend their time pushing off from the floor. This means that a good pair of quality gloves is paramount to prevent water getting in and freezing.

Um.. think that about covers it.. you'll not understand these points until you've got out there and had a go.. just points to keep in mind.
 
^^^yea, all of that is much more useful than worrying about what you are gonna be taught.

expect to be sore at the end of it too.
 
Make sure your arse is padded too. You will fall on that a lot, as well as your wrists (as someone mentioned above). Biggest most common accident is broken/fractured wrists with new boarders. Also, keep this in mind, where your head moves so does your feet/body :p;)... otherwise have fun with it!! Once your good at it, snowboarding is a dream..
 
I have a pair of mountainbiking "imact shorts" (yes, basically a cusion strapped to my ass :p) for snowboarding, they help a lot.
You will spend a LOT of time on your ass.

Also depending on where your going, you'll need a pair of goggles. Obviously not if your going to an indoor snowdome tho,
 
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