KrzyPrk

What's up all~
I started snowboarding last season for the first time and loved it.

I have a question, does weight play a big role in launching?
I noticed that 2 of my other friends launched quicker and started moving faster than me. They both weigh nearly 200 lbs and I weigh 120 lbs. One of the 2 is a beginner like myself.
I'm just curious on this. They both had boards of 156+cm and myself of 146cm.

Can someone shed some light here?

Gustov

yeah, more weight will make you go faster like you're describing. odds are you'll have less maneuverability though

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PaoloSmythe

unless you ride in a vacuum.

if you are slow to get going, wax your board religiously and turn less to enable catch up.

or go ride with skinny people (or girls! )

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magickrate

yea just go straight down the hill thats your best bet trying to catch them. that happend to me last winter with my firends i am the lightest one out of the group

KrzyPrk

wonderful, I guess I won't be able to go fast.
I wish I can go straight down but I can't handle that yet.
Even if I did, my friend will catch up then pass me.

I guess I'll have to focus on tricks? lol

It's just that my friend and I are competitive in activities.
oh well

magickrate

same here everytime we went down a trail it was like who can get to the bottom first. but no one would say anything one person would just start going and everyone would try to beat him down.
i bet that you will have little advantage in the park.

PaoloSmythe

one thing to bare in mind...

(aside from the fact that you are noob and so have to be patient; crawl before walk, walk before run etc)

... is that in racing down hill on snowboards, the winner is not the person who goes the fastest, but is THE ONE WHO SLOWS DOWN THE LEAST.

don't forget to wax

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mpdsnowman

Its not so much what you weigh but "how" you position your body and weight for speed(assuming everyone is close to weight). First off Paolo is right a properly waxed board is key. Keep in mind for events like the Jeep runs and stuff those guys wax practically every run...just like ski racing. Wax is key..

However in general principal, just having fun type. You can pickup speed if you crouch low with head slightly forward(if that makes sense) Keeping the board on the snow. As you are moving if you can position the weight toward the front then speed will increase.

If you want to "catch" your friends dont hit any air..let them. That is where you catch up. Keep the board on the snow, stay low, avoid turning and wave at them as you pass them hopefully.

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M P D S N O W M A N

Snowolf

Weight is a factor in this for sure. The heavier rider will accellerate much quicker. It is like a heavy tractor trailer rig going down a steep grade, they will runaway if not driven carefully. As you get better, you can point the board and increase your speed, but let that come naturaly. Competetiveness is fine, but sometimes people can become obsessive with it; just have fun riding and progress.

Actually, leaning back makes you go a little faster. If you are on a gentle slope, try leaning way back to butter your board and get the nose up off the snow; it will actually accelerate. Wax for conditions and make sure you properly scrape and buff the wax. Also a structured base can make a huge difference. Avoid the crouching stance though; it is bad form to be in that "goriila stance" with your knuckles dragging the snow and really throws balance off. If you are worried about wind drag, concentrate on riding properly with your shoulders over the board, not counter rotated to face forward.

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Wibby

turn less and keep your base flat on the snow you will be amazed at how much faster you go. Although really if you are just starting, focus on learning how to carve correctly as this is really more important than going "fast".

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