getting into snowboarding - lots of questions

[rjk]

be prepared for a list of noob errors...

tried the search but cannot find a snowboarding thread or similar to this

myself and mrs rjk are keen to start learning to snowboard. a few friends of ours went last year and at a recent bbq in all this good weather, we heard some very enthusiastic comments and both decided that next year we would join them.

now, we are both complete newcomers, I have skateboarded from the age of 11 until early 20s and at least a few times a year since then until now [27 now ]

mrs rjk has had dry slope lessons a few years back so discounting this, i would imagine that we are at the same level.

in order to get to the same level as our friends who have been abroad once before, i would like to ideally know the starting points we should be looking at.

we are close to tamworth and chill factore manchester but have a dry slope in stoke, where would be the best place to start learning and how often should we have lessons?

my main questions:
how should we go about lessons and getting to a decent level before booking a holiday?

is it worth getting our own gear once we get good enough and commit to the holiday? all our friends seem to say that own gear is the way to go?

is it worth looking second hand for items such as bindings and boards?

what sort of kit list should we be considering for a snowboard holiday?
also, insurance, where do we need to look for this or would regular holiday insurance cover it?

thanks in advance

Rich

 

[rjk]

very informative, thanks touch

if anyone else could add their input, that would be appreciated.

 

[rjk]

I spent most of my teenage years falling off a skateboard so I would say I have become well versed in falling over.

i think the plan so far is to attend around 4 hours lessons at a snowdome, rent equipment from them whilst we are doing that. I think, once we can both do it without needing instruction then it could turn into a regular recreational thing as it doesn't seem too expensive.

around £135 for lessons isnt too bad at tamworth and they have 20% off at the moment.

will probably just do that as equipment hire is included.

as mentioned, will get our own equipment if its something that becomes regular.

advice is really appreciated guys


surprised there isn't a big snowboarding thread on here, or have i missed it

 

[rjk]

Last two posts are very insightful. Thanks a lot guys, really appreciate the details you've gone into

 

[rjk]

So then guys

Thought i would update the thread, mainly thanking you all again for the advice.

Last week went to snowdome in tamworth and did fasttrack lessons.

mrs rjk had to do a top up lesson to get her to standard so she could do the second fast track lesson.

we both progressed quite quickly and are now recreational standard.

went again yesterday and fell a few times, i think some crash shorts may have to happen soon as i feel like ive been thrashed today.

i am linking turns well enough to get down the slope quickly, using the lifts etc
mrs rjk isnt quite there yet and is finding transitioning between edges difficult.

i think she wants to go for a top up lesson next week which is probably a good idea.


the one thing i want to learn is to 'waddle' or whatever its called to get moving in flat areas, im ok undoing my back binding and 'skating' but its just an inconvenience and i see a lot of people hopping over to the rope lift with ease.

think snowdome membership may happen also as we plan on going a fair bit at the moment and its going to work out cheaper to just get a couples discount.

i am really struggling in rental boots, just not finding them comfortable at all, so the plan is to wait until next month when next seasons stuff comes out and get a nice fitting set of boots.

both loving it so far and its nice to do something with goals as a couple even if we are progressing at different speeds

 

[rjk]

i think the boots are going to happen. we both really enjoyed it and even if the mrs loses interest, i can see it being something i would like to keep up.

the boots i used on my lessons and first few rec sessions were just quite unforgiving on the ankle area and rubbed as they didnt fit my feet very well. i was wearing thick socks on one of the occasions to try and reduce that but it was just as bad.

i think getting the odd bit here and there is probably the best way to go about it rather than smashing £700+ on gear in one go.