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fear while jumping and getting speed

13K views 24 replies 14 participants last post by  Donutz 
#1 ·
Hi guys,
this year I spent a bit more time in the park with the instructor (I am not a fan of park).
I am not scared of height or jumps, I use to dive into the water from 35 feet, head first.
I rationalize it's almost two distinct kinds of fear: being too fast before the jump, then fear of landing in the wrong way since in the air I feel getting more speed. FOr this reason I try to brake as soon as I touch ground, falling down in most cases.

Consider I am also not an expert, so I am not comfortable in riding switch, and I am getting used to go fast on flat using my edges rather than going board-flat. I still remember how painful it was the first week every time I was on the flat. So I am also thinking my fear at the lending is the fact that I am supposed to land flat, then I try to stay on an edge.
Watching vids, it seems pros are floating in the air, but I am sure they are going freakingly fast.

It's just practice? is there any hint/suggestion you might share? should I forgo my instinct to stop as soon as I land?
thanks a lot in advance
 
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#2 ·
It's just practice? is there any hint/suggestion you might share? should I forgo my instinct to stop as soon as I land?
thanks a lot in advance


You're right on track. You don't want to speed check too quickly after stomping. Makes sure to ride 10-20 feet (if you've got it) and get your legs back under you before you react. It's not a bad idea to hold a minor edge, either. Nothing too deep, but a little will help ensure you're tracking correctly.

One way to practice this would be to find a natural step down of some degree. Doesn't need to be huge, just a small drop where you can ride/ollie off. Practice hitting it and engaging a sidewall within the first couple feet of landing. This doesn't mean to turn, just to make sure you're not completely flat. You already mentioned that you do this, so keep at it.

Also of note, being able to conquer the fear is just as important as muscle memory at high speed. If you're not comfortable yet, give it more time. Even the most veteran riders can get wrapped around a tree. Take your time and ride safe.
 
#3 ·
If you aren't feeling comfortable, there is usually a very good reason. In your case, it seems as though you are not comfortable at high speeds yet. No matter how much you do not fear heights, this is only a small part of successfully completing jumps. My suggestion to you would be, stay out of the park for a little and get really comfortable at high speeds. Without that comfort, there is no way that you are ever going to be comfortable on jumps because clearing jumps requires speed. Don't rush into anything. The key to park riding is having good fundamentals.
 
#7 ·
Thanks to above post I am now secure that my riding is worth a damn, thank you breckenridge avenger... btw Grand Timber Lodge and Empire Burger is the shit.

P.S. Can I live with you?

P.P.S. Like even in a tent outside in your yard.

P.P.P.S. Please?
 
#25 ·
Getting back on topic...

I went up Seymour for some night riding yesterday evening, and I decided I was going to hit the top Northlands jump with enough speed to clear the knuckle this time. It's a 20 to 25-footer, depending on grooming. Well, I succeeded too well. Went up, felt like I was about to hit the lift chairs. I could see the 'ground' way the hell down there, coming up fast. Muttering to myself "I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die, I'm gonna break both legs...". I was pretty sure I'd cleared the landing area entirely. Well, I came down and survived (not the greatest landing, but I'll take it). On the way up the chair, I eyeballed where I'd landed (almost no-one there last night, so my track was still pretty visible). Turns out I'd gotten barely a third of the way down the landing slope. Yeesh! Whadda woos!

Anyway, the point is, it feels a lot worse than it turns out to be. After that I was able to get up enough speed for the jump without fainting fom fear :laugh:
 
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