swmike

I don't think going straight is necessarily a downhill thing. But I'm old fashioned.

PaoloSmythe

flat base is defo a skill worth getting comfortable with.

without getting technical (coz i lack the grapes for such) if you are applying an edge, then you are using friction. if you use friction then you slow down. if you are riding on flat, you need all the speed you can get.

more flat = need more speed = want less edge = go more flat

control ain't worth shit if it means you have to unstrap and walk, as the dicks with sticks whizz past, pushing away with self-assurred grins. bar stewards!

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Just coz you don't understand it
Doesn't mean it makes no sense!

Snowolf

Another tip that helps with preventing unwanted board pivot while flat based is to use a little torsional twist to keep both edges slightly engaged. It robs a slight amount of inertia as Paolo mentioned, but it is an effective way to prevent an unexpected edge catch. To do this, I will apply just a little bit of toe pressure on the front foot to engage the toeside edge. At the same time, I am applying about thsame force to the heelside edge with my back foot. So, 90% of the board is flat based, but near the ends, it twisted a little so that at each end, opposite contact points are engaged thus preventing any pivot in the board. You have to practice a little to get the feel of this, but its very effective.

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shc89

Thanks for all the update people, I hope I'll be able to practice it this saturday. The only thing that saved from those dicks with sticks was that I before the falt part of the track gained alot of speed by going straight downhill with no carving(still on toe edge, which gave me some pain in my legs for a short time). I'll try your advice snowolf. Mike altough I did type ''downhill'' in my topic name I mean't about going straight in general, doesnt matter if downhill or on flats.

Snowolf

If you are going downhill with any speed, I really caution you about trying to do it flat based or by using my twisted technique. This is for relatively low speeds in the flats. When pointing it down a hill, you really still want to be solidly on edge. An edge catch at high speed can cause some nasty injuries. They happen so suddenly and with such force, that the rider usually does not have time to ready themselves for the fall and roll with it. It slams you hard and I have seen broken tailbones, back, collar bones, and head trauma from high speed edge catches. Please, don`t chance it; stay solidly on your edge when at high speed. Maintain a low edge angle so that instead of turning, you gradually drift to the side. As you you get to the side of your desired track, make a smooth, even positive edge change using both feet simultaneously and shifting your upper body weight over the edge you are going to and you will then be positively on the new edge, drifting back the other way. Your actual time flat based and vulnerablw will be less than 1 second.

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Snowolf

Going straight`s over rated....

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Mr. Right

Yes in deedy. It took me some time to ride the board flat at all without getting hurt, and all in the ultimate goal to go a little faster. You can definitely ride a board flat but you need to be real comfortable with where you place your body weight and how you react to your edge catching. When I ride my board flat I do catch my edges a little bit but usually with a little persuasion I can get the board under control at the same time. Knock on wood, I haven't taken a hard hit from catching my edges in some time now. I've been spending the past 2 seasons getting as proficient as possible going fast because I feel it will provide me a solid platform for big spins etc. I kind of like it because all my friends can ride the park, but they can't catch me lol. I know the flatter I keep that board, the faster I go but it may be different for others.

PaoloSmythe

the best place for unavoidable flat base riding practice, is the poma; aka button lift.

with one foot unstrapped, it is hard enuff as it is to apply a constant edge, but then if you are edging, then you are in a tug of war with the pully system of the lift, with the pole around your bollocks being the rope!

the real practice however, comes from your flat board catching and nicking the carved snow that has been created by days of relentless ski tracks going up the drag path.

oh yeah! good times! but practice makes perfect!

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Just coz you don't understand it
Doesn't mean it makes no sense!

Snowolf

I have never had to deal with one of those things. So glad to have high speed quads!!!

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