Donutz

LOL, yeah I researched the crap out of things and then I bought what was available. the shops around here don't really stock much, and I think they only do an order at the beginning of the season. And when they're out, you're SOL.

Nevertheless, I think that even an "average" piece of armour will do 80% of the job, and the premium stuff moves up the final 20%. So anything's better than nothing.

Having said all that, I have Protec shin/knee pads that I really love because they have hardshell protection for both areas, a Protec spine protector that's flexy enough to move around in, and some Protec impact shorts that are crappy because they don't have a hardshell tailbone protector.

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Illegitimi non carborundum

Mountain Days: 30

slyder

If you search I actually posted the to side by side with pics, search is your friend.
Both are great and each have a specialize with different types of terrain.

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Thanks
-Slyder

JeffreyCH

On top of the already excellent advice given I have a few general tips to add. #1 is conditioning (your body not your hair lol) staying in good shape will do more for you then anything. Hydration, I drink the hell out of vitamin water. Potassium, as we get older we tend to cramp up easier, potassium helps a lot. I stretch a lot before, during and after riding.

Not that I know anything since I'm only 23 and all........

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ThunderChunky

I'd say the most important thing with almost anything snowboarding progression related, but mostly in freestyle is confidence. You need to ride confident. The difference between riders with the style and riders who are sloppy is their confidence. If you become comfortable with a trick before you do it you have a much higher chance of sticking it first try.

Now I'm not saying go ape shit. I'm just saying when you do progress, even on the tinniest of things, you need to already think in your head you have mastered to trick.

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alaric

Don't forget to stretch.

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JeffreyCH

Oh yeah and when you get way over the hill a hot tub and copious amounts of booze help too

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Music Moves

Most things have already been stated, so I'm just posting to add support.

I'll be 40 in January. I too stopped both skateboarding and snowboarding for along time (idiocy) but I started both again and I was instantly in the park. I have been on the snow again for about 5 years and skating again for only 2-3, but I am now a skateboard instructor (I was sponsored by a shop when I was a teenager).

Again, just wanted to give you a summary of my story to provide some motivation.

BruceWard

Hey, same deal >chiming in for support for the already provided good advice.
I picked up the sport relatively late and have been riding pretty actively - more speed vs pipe - but looking to jump more this year. 360's and jump distance are the goals this season and of course, remaining injury free.

Thus, I will also echo a STRONG call for Body Armour. I have the DEMON flex force pro upper body, CRASHPADS lower body, multiple helmets (go for the best rated ones!) and DOCMETER Wrist Guard Gloves.

I swear by all of these and while I cant compare these to the rest I can say that I broke my wrist using cheasy wrist guards (Triple 8's: made more for skateboarding/inline skating than snowboarding???). I have more dings on my helmet than I remember getting so it must be working.

Armour up and ride as free as you can!

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K2 09 Darkstar 160W Burton Custom||K2 10 Slayblade 166W Ride RX||Libtech-10 Skunk Ape 169W Ride SPi

snowklinger

Just remember boys, all the body armor in the world don't mean shit if you knuckle or overshoot the landing.

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is it late october yet?

poutanen

While I'm not as ancient as most of you guys (I'm 31 ) I can chime in here a bit. I was one of those kids in my teens playing around in the park, falling a lot but never breaking anything. Tried to get back into the park in my late 20's and was scared shitless about breaking something. I still prefer natural features but I ride with upper body armour, a helmet, and like to get some air now and again.

My favorite jumps are NOT table top or kicker style jumps. Those jumps you have to commit to. Easiest to learn on (mentally) is what I call a roller. Essentially a large bump in the hill, at low speeds you'll just ride up and over it. Go fast enough and you'll get some air, maybe skim a foot or two over the snow for 10 feet, then come to earth. As you get comfortable with that you can start pre-loading and popping off the jump and start getting a little more height, even at a lower speed.

Practice over the SAME JUMP again and again and again to get comfortable and confident with the approach, your air time, and landing. Attempting some type of grab will help stabilize you in the air, just reach for your toes and even if you don't grab it'll still help. Stand straight up in the air and it'll be arm flailing time!!!

Near the end of the year last year I found a natural jump at my local hill, setup a camera and started hiking. Ran the jump about 5-6 times before I was out of energy, but each time I got more and more comfortable in the air. I've been jumping for ages but it still felt great to have comfortable air time. After that I was at another hill a week or two later, found myself hitting things with more speed than before and more confidence in the air (no park stuff though).

Hope this helps, have fun, and pay up that insurance!!!