Felice

Here's one for the instructors:

Is it unsafe or 'unwise' to learn to ride if you test (the falling lead foot scenario) as one or the other but have a feeling that you might learn more appreciably if you start learning on your 'wrong' side?

I understand that the natural progression would lead one to riding opposite (switching??) but I'm wondering if it makes a big difference when you are first starting out.

I seem to have some strengths on one side and some on the other so I am wondering if I should consider learning to ride on my other 'weaker' (right) side.
I'm considering the change as I just haven't been able to turn very well on either edge.

boarderaholic

Just do whatever you're more comfortable with. My advice is to learn stuff on one side, then reteach the other side. But don't get 100% comfy on one side, or else you'll sorta screw yourself over like I did...oops!

But, if you're having problems, focus on one thing at a time. There really is no point to trying to make yourself learn 15 bajillion things in one sitting.

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PaoloSmythe

i don't think this is a Q exclusively for instructors.

with the regular vs. goofy debate, the same rule that applies to most aspects of snowboarding applies here, do what works best for you! for sure if there is an ambition for 'technical' riding, then there are certain do's and dont's, but for newb..... just roll with it (not literally).

if definitive advice is sought however.... have a symmetrical stance and learn to go both ways! for me, the sign of a good rider is not being able to tell if they are goofy or regular!

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

Snowolf

Learn to ride using the stance that is naturally best for you. Learn all the movement concepts and get comfortable controlling your board on varied terrain, then do a little bit of switch riding. There is no point in forcing yourself to learn riding switch first; all that will do is make your learning curve longer and more frustrating. Learning to ride switch is easier than learning to ride initially. This is because you will already know all the correct movements, just riding a different direction.

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X1n54n3x

i always thought it was just an instinct to put one foot forward.. have you ever been on a skateboard?

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TecHninE HipHop155
Burton C02's
CALI*MADE
Around NorCal? always lookin for people to ride with- hitmeup

hc2dabone

what other members said above sounds accurate. People always asked me that question specially during the "falling leaf" and i said to them the falling leaf is an exception. but rather i want them to learn the movements and get fairly comfortable on one side then just transcend those same movements to the other. its better to suck at switch than to suck at both...my 2 cents!

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Balls + Speed = Air

tonysimoni

I`ve done athletics for 8 years orso and in the High Jump you also have to know your front foot before you can start this dicipline.
The method we used to know this is: Let a person stand up straight and push him from behind, the foot he lands first on is his 'leading foot'.

I`ve always thought this was a strange method, but nevertheless it worked very fine for us. And I never saw a person for who this trick didn't worked.

In my experience the 'leading foot' is the same for snowboarding and High Jump (altough this are lousy statistics, it is aleast a method , it would be nice if more ppl tested this method)

PS: If you try to test someone's best food. Don't tell him you'll push him, people tend to cheat

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kang.

Haha, I tried that. My Left foot went out, so I guessed I was regular. Wrong. I'm goofy on a snowboard and regular on a skateboard.

mpdsnowman

Everyone has a natural stance. Just like you have a natural walk. You can run on a kitchen floor with socks only and whatever foot goes forward is the front foot. Some say it doesnt work but I disagree for its a natural reaction of your body.

As far as the falling leaf goes do what is comfortable and you will get results....no tactics will work by the way if you dont practice hard and often....in time you find out what works for you...its not rocket science

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M P D S N O W M A N

BurtonAvenger

There is no set way to determine it. Trust me on this all the BS about strong foot in the back, right handed left foot forward, running with socks. Means jack shit. Case in point right handed, dominate foot is my right, yet I push mongo on a skateboard and I ride goofy. Hell for this season I'm pulling a Travis Parker and setting a board up specifically regular so I'm forced to ride it like that all the time.

You can learn whatever way works for you and no one is going to tell you different.