How long did it take ya to get toeside down? - Snowboarding Forum

02-09-2009, 02:32 PM

I'm hoping to give a friend some good insight on how long it may take to get 'toeside' down. I realize everyone has a different learning curve and there are some who can strap into a snowboard for their first time and have it down right away. I know having experience on a skateboard really helps too and there are people who it just comes naturally to...

But, to all those non-freaks of nature out there, I'm just curious how long it took ya to really feel comfortable going from heelside to toeside and being able to carve down the hill w/ease? For me, I'd have to say it took a good 3-4 trips up to the mountain before I had it down.

She's been up twice now, and she has a great handle on heelside and she can do the falling leaf, no problem. I know she's ready to go from the bunny hill to some more challenging runs and I'm trying to tell her that she'll get toeside down soon, it just takes some practice.

I remember when it finally hit me and I was able to do toeside, it was like a lightbulb went off. & I didn't even realize what was so difficult about it before. But I also recall all to well, the countless times I caught my edge and face-planted before I eventually got the hang of it.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is, hang in there Ash! You'll get it!

Anyone else with some words of encouragement?

crazykid · 02-09-2009, 02:45 PM

im not the seasoned of a rider, but to be honest, i didnt even notice when i started riding my toes, i was trying to teach a friend how to ride her heel and somehow ended up riding toes side... i still bobble every once and a while, but rarely fall anymore on the local hills here.

good luck with your friend, i like teaching friends how to ride, its alot of fun, ive only been riding just over a year... but ride 3 or 4 times a week.

02-09-2009, 02:54 PM

Make sure she keeps her weight on her front foot. Tell her not to lean her body into the turn but rather just to get up on her toes and dig in. She's probably getting nervous and either over-commiting her body or leaning on her back leg from fear.

She'll get it...just stick with it and don't be afraid to fall

jeri534 · 02-09-2009, 03:30 PM

after I learned the hump and dump, i could turn after a few times to the mountain last year, but I started getting good carves when I started the hump and ump technique

02-09-2009, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeri534

after I learned the hump and dump, i could turn after a few times to the mountain last year, but I started getting good carves when I started the hump and dump technique

hump & dump? is there something I'm not doing right?

02-09-2009, 06:46 PM

Hump - When turning toe-side you get up on your toes and dig in. You push your hips forward like you're "humping" to keep your center of gravity above your board, preventing you from falling into the turn.

Dump - When turning heel-side you get up on your heels with your butt out like you're taking a "dump" in the woods. You want to keep your torso over your board, preventing you from falling into the turn.

Hope that clarifies

Technine Icon · 02-09-2009, 07:09 PM

Oh man, it took me about six or seven trips to get toeside down. It's very hard to commit because when you're not used to it, u can feel like you're out of control. Once I got toeside down, linking the turns came pretty natuarally. Yeah, it's going to take awhile, but just remind her to take it slow and that it will eventually pay off big time.

scottland · 02-09-2009, 09:55 PM

It's always two things with beginners that make the heel-to-toe transition tough.

A. They lean back. Your weight needs to be evenly balanced. If you tell them to keep their weight centered they'll still be leaning back. So tell her to lean forward =), and she might actually lean forward enough to actually have her weight centered.

B. They keep their shoulders counter rotated (facing downhill) when trying to turn to the toe edge. Have her jam her chin into her front shoulder, if she plan on seeing where she's going, she's going to have to turn her shoulders with the turn.

And a final quick tip....C. If her balance is good, tell her to stop letting the board ride her, and start riding the board. Tell her to get aggressive with her legs, and really DIG into her edges. This is a good verbal cue that will force her to bend her knees and ankles. it will give her the feeling of more control which will increase confidence.

arsenic0 · 02-09-2009, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nutsymptom

Hump - When turning toe-side you get up on your toes and dig in. You push your hips forward like you're "humping" to keep your center of gravity above your board, preventing you from falling into the turn.

Dump - When turning heel-side you get up on your heels with your butt out like you're taking a "dump" in the woods. You want to keep your torso over your board, preventing you from falling into the turn.

Hope that clarifies

I think both of these moves are second nature to us males, may take some more work for the dainty females.

02-09-2009, 11:04 PM

ugh, I had a huge fear of doing toeside for a while. All I can say is, tell her to keep trying and don't give up. Make sure she invests in some knee pads, those are godly in these situations. Wrist guards are a good idea too.

I have never heard of the "hump&dump"...

02-09-2009, 02:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mrs.Queez Guest Posts: n/a	How long did it take ya to get toeside down? I'm hoping to give a friend some good insight on how long it may take to get 'toeside' down. I realize everyone has a different learning curve and there are some who can strap into a snowboard for their first time and have it down right away. I know having experience on a skateboard really helps too and there are people who it just comes naturally to... But, to all those non-freaks of nature out there, I'm just curious how long it took ya to really feel comfortable going from heelside to toeside and being able to carve down the hill w/ease? For me, I'd have to say it took a good 3-4 trips up to the mountain before I had it down. She's been up twice now, and she has a great handle on heelside and she can do the falling leaf, no problem. I know she's ready to go from the bunny hill to some more challenging runs and I'm trying to tell her that she'll get toeside down soon, it just takes some practice. I remember when it finally hit me and I was able to do toeside, it was like a lightbulb went off. & I didn't even realize what was so difficult about it before. But I also recall all to well, the countless times I caught my edge and face-planted before I eventually got the hang of it. So I guess what I'm trying to say is, hang in there Ash! You'll get it! Anyone else with some words of encouragement?

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02-09-2009, 02:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
crazykid Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 43	im not the seasoned of a rider, but to be honest, i didnt even notice when i started riding my toes, i was trying to teach a friend how to ride her heel and somehow ended up riding toes side... i still bobble every once and a while, but rarely fall anymore on the local hills here. good luck with your friend, i like teaching friends how to ride, its alot of fun, ive only been riding just over a year... but ride 3 or 4 times a week.

02-09-2009, 02:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
Nutsymptom Guest Posts: n/a	Make sure she keeps her weight on her front foot. Tell her not to lean her body into the turn but rather just to get up on her toes and dig in. She's probably getting nervous and either over-commiting her body or leaning on her back leg from fear. She'll get it...just stick with it and don't be afraid to fall

02-09-2009, 03:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
jeri534 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 393	after I learned the hump and dump, i could turn after a few times to the mountain last year, but I started getting good carves when I started the hump and ump technique

02-09-2009, 06:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
Nutsymptom Guest Posts: n/a	Hump - When turning toe-side you get up on your toes and dig in. You push your hips forward like you're "humping" to keep your center of gravity above your board, preventing you from falling into the turn. Dump - When turning heel-side you get up on your heels with your butt out like you're taking a "dump" in the woods. You want to keep your torso over your board, preventing you from falling into the turn. Hope that clarifies

02-09-2009, 07:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
Technine Icon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CT Posts: 1,252	Oh man, it took me about six or seven trips to get toeside down. It's very hard to commit because when you're not used to it, u can feel like you're out of control. Once I got toeside down, linking the turns came pretty natuarally. Yeah, it's going to take awhile, but just remind her to take it slow and that it will eventually pay off big time.

02-09-2009, 09:55 PM	#8 (permalink)
scottland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 232	It's always two things with beginners that make the heel-to-toe transition tough. A. They lean back. Your weight needs to be evenly balanced. If you tell them to keep their weight centered they'll still be leaning back. So tell her to lean forward =), and she might actually lean forward enough to actually have her weight centered. B. They keep their shoulders counter rotated (facing downhill) when trying to turn to the toe edge. Have her jam her chin into her front shoulder, if she plan on seeing where she's going, she's going to have to turn her shoulders with the turn. And a final quick tip....C. If her balance is good, tell her to stop letting the board ride her, and start riding the board. Tell her to get aggressive with her legs, and really DIG into her edges. This is a good verbal cue that will force her to bend her knees and ankles. it will give her the feeling of more control which will increase confidence.

02-09-2009, 11:04 PM	#10 (permalink)
SnowBun Guest Posts: n/a	ugh, I had a huge fear of doing toeside for a while. All I can say is, tell her to keep trying and don't give up. Make sure she invests in some knee pads, those are godly in these situations. Wrist guards are a good idea too. I have never heard of the "hump&dump"...