MelC

I have a frozen shoulder on my lead side at the moment so cant push up out of a heelside sit. I have forgotten what a pain toeside launches were. Keep working on the heelside launch. It is really a matter of core strength and balance. Yoga or pilates are probably your best conditioning for off the mountain. It is also a lot easier to get up heelside when you are on a slope so try dropping your legs over the lip when you strap in.

kungfulu

I second the Martial Arts suggestion. Today was my first day out and I fell........many times. I fell forward.....I fell backwards......I even manage to twist and fall. I had the similar experience you are describing. I could stand on the board a get great speed on the bunny hill, but when it came time to stop....look out! I feel fine right now, because MA teaches you how to fall, when being thrown (well at least Aikido & Judo). I had people come up and ask if I was ok because it looked horrible. But I was fine.

I am a big supplement person and I learned years ago Shark Cartilage will be your friend. SC increases blood flow to the vascular tissues. Shark Cartilage will take away the bruising and if used regularly you probably will never bruise or if you do it will be small and quick to leave. Make sure it is freeze dried. I have been punched and kicked in the face so many times over the past 24 years in training & competition and only have had 2 to 3 black eyes because of this.

Don't give up. I had the same experience you did and will be out again this week.

jennifer

Ok, had a good news/bad news kind of day. Went out again. Figured out my problem. My natural instinct is to put weight into my back foot when I get scared or start feeling out of control....which as most of you know only makes things worse. So now I finally SEE the problem. Now I just need to figure out how to turn off that natural instinct and fix the problem. On another bad note....I decided to get stupid drunk before my last few bunny hill runs of the day. Ended up doing an epic fall that included at least 3 tumbles. It would have been funny....had I not sprained my wrist and messed up my entire hand.
Going back on monday...with wrist guards (and the brace given to me by urgent care for my injured wrist). The helmet was a wise investment. lol At least I can laugh at myself.
Something really did click today. I can see where the problems are, next step is to fix them.

Thoughts on stance? I am perfectly comfy where my bindings are set. Feet are about shoulder length apart. Maybe too comfy? Wondering if I set them out just a tad bit farther if it will force me into a more squated stance. Worth a try?

You guys are so awesome. And for those who have offered to come spend some time at China peak with me, I am always down for company! That is such a huge and generous offer. If you are serious about coming and helping me out for an hour I am more than happy to take you up on the offer, just let me know when. I will by the first round of drinks.

Argo

This is all preference. I like toe side launches better.

Efilnikufesin

I wouldn't mess with you stance too much while still learning as long as it's comfortable. Once you get more comfortable on the hill, then start tweaking things like that having more knowledge of what you are looking to get out of it.

AssassinMonLV

There's no need to feel down. I remember when I first started, it was really hard at first but persistence is the key to success. It took me at least 1 season to become relatively good. Also I recommend you to watch people snowboard down the slopes, and mimic their movements. Ride behind them and follow their trail.

SobeHall

It took me 3 full days of riding, 8am to 4pm each day, and then on the 4th day I went out with some friends and told them not to wait up on me, because I had literally been busting my ass for 3 days straight and was nowhere near being capable enough to keep up with them, but on that 4th day, I strapped in, and it happened, S turns, toe to heel, heel to toe, I made it through that day bombing the mountain and fell probably 3 times. I don't know what it was, but before that 4th day, I had thought about quitting, I told myself if it didn't come before the end of that season then there was no reason to keep going. I had only spent about $200 on all of my gear so it didn't hurt the wallet too much. Luckily it just clicked, and I think that's how it is for most people. My wife took a little longer, but she doesn't do anything 'athletic' outside of running ... she's very uncoordinated and clumsy, but rides fine now. It took her almost a full season, before she got it down, because she got hurt once and was pretty discouraged. Finally she stopped being a little biatch and got out there again ... now you can't stop her from going to the hill ...

poutanen

Exactly, if it feels comfortable now, leave it. Just work on bending your knees more. Literally just do a squat while you ride, you can bend your knees quite a lot while boarding, try different levels and see what feels best. You're knees should be at least at a 45/135 degree angle on the inside.

t21

and please no more getting drunk and boarding, as you found out they do NOT mix well other than that, stick with your stance.

__________________
2011 Ride Antic 163
2011 Status Focus 158
NX2-AT

jennifer

lol....it REALLY was not intentional. I lost 120 pounds in the last 5 months. My tolerance is NOT what it used to be. I have not really had drinks since I started losing weight. I drank what would normally have just given me a nice buzz...and ended up completely shit faced. I dont plan on doing any drinking again. It does not help with the coordination, and it will only hinder the rest of my weight loss.