JSU

Hey guys, this is my second season boarding and I would like to get some input on my riding. Here is a quick video (camera died after this, my form isn't great and neither is the footage). Anything you can recommend?

I'm having issues keeping a strong heel side edge when I try carving (I think I'm afraid of falling back). Anything to remedy this?

Also, I'm not comfortable transitioning from edge to edge while carving when I'm close to perpendicular with the fall line (something to do with not wanting to lean forward down the mountain). Any ideas on how to fix this one?

I also have lots of POV footage, is that of any use?

JSU

Thank you for the quick reply and advice . I have a few more questions

I started doing this and think that I can do it again when I remember to do so. It felt like my board would almost pop off the snow during transitions (but I still felt like I was in control). Was I doing the opposite motion (i.e. weighting when I should be unweighting) or was is that the correct feeling?

This is where I start to get confused. I was taught to always keep my weight on my front foot and not "ride in the back seat" (unless I'm doing a tail press or something). When you say "most aft position" is that a balanced stance with equal weight on each foot?

Thanks again!

JSU

I assume that the same forward/aft movements and weighting/unweighting apply to carving as well. So is the only difference in the initiation of the turn? (i.e. purely tilting edge to edge vs allowing the base to skid)

Also, you use short radius dynamic skidded turns on steep stuff instead of short radius dynamic carves because you need to bleed off speed?

Thanks again, I can't wait to get back on the slopes and try this stuff out

JSU

I just spent a few days in Utah and managed to get a BIT of footage.

The beginning is some (semi)-steep skidded turning and I try to do some scarving later on. I'm really having issues digging into my heel edge (I fall at one point in the video), any tips on how to do this? I know that I need to straighten out and lean back more but I'm having issues getting myself to do it (though I feel like a rockstar on my toe edge ).

Most of the footage is playing at .75x speed, some is .5x



Also, I'm trying to figure out how to go straight forward with this board. On my last board, I would just flatbase and slightly engage either edge, this would allow me to go forward. However, with this board (GNU CC) whenever I try to slightly engage and edge the edge ends up digging in and turning me. Any tips on how to do this? (from what I've read being completely flatbased is a no-no)

poutanen

I only made it through the first 2:00 of that, but I wouldn't beat yourself up, seems like you're doing quite well for a newer rider.

Look at the tracks you make in the first half of that video, they're about 12" wide so you're not carving but doing a dynamic skidded turn. To get into carving (especially on your heel edge) the best thing to do is go SLOWER, and then work on really getting your butt down towards the snow, and exaggerate keeping the knees bent.

I recently had a problem with chatter on my heelside at higher speeds which was making me go into a skid instead of a carve. Slowing down and focusing on deliberately making an effort to heelside carve worked... Also just spend the time in the board, you look like you're having fun and aren't killing yourself, so keep it up!

JSU

Thanks. I tried to slow it down later in the day. Keeping on a heelside edge was pretty though. Looking at the footage, it seems like I'm not leaning back properly and I can't seem to get my upper body to lean back while boarding.

poutanen

Don't worry about leaning your upper body back too far, that'll make you feel awkward and probably go all stiff. Focus on getting your butt close to the snow and your knees more bent.

Here's what I mean... See how their bodies are upright but butts are down close to the snow, and knees are well bent?





Also watch this video, it's a great example of some medium speed really nice fluid carves. And this guy is wearing softboots on an off-the-shelf snowboard.

JSU

So knees are bent the whole time but even more bent when initiating a turn?