nread

Okay, so first I want to say how awesome you all are about helping out the newbs on this site. This is my first topic post, but I've been lurking for a while now, and have gleaned a tremendous amount of information from everyone; thank you!

My specifics. 6', 180lbs. Riding a 2011 Rossi Taipan hybrid camber midwide 158 with k2 hurrithanes and size 11 Ride flights.

Now my problem (well, one of my many...). I am having trouble getting the board to respond to my movements to initiate a toeside turn. I have been researching and trying to assess what it might be, and wanted to throw it by all you pros out there to see what input you may have. I know it's not that I am being timid, and I am trying hard to avoid ruddering since my dominant foot is in back. I feel that I can confidently command a heelside, and I can muscle a toeside if I have to. I am cognizant of my weight balance front to back, and I keep my arms down and centered as best as I can. That being said, here are things I think could be keeping me from being able to properly direct the board.

-Boots seem too loose, my heel can come up in the boot a fair amount. All my equipment is new, and the boots feel like they are fighting me to get appropriately tight around my ankle. I do have narrow heels.
-While my weight balance feels right, I am wondering if my knees are not bent enough.
-Is the proper order of things to initiate the turn "front toe, back toe, point front knee inward?" What else might I be overlooking?
-is the fact that the board is a midwide going to impact the turn in? I think the size is appropriate for my boot size.
-I set up my own bindings. Is there anything specific to binding setup that might impede proper board response/body mechanics? The bindings are maybe 1" wider than shoulder width total, with a 12 front, -12 rear angle ( I think I'm saying that right). I have the angle symmetrical because I like the idea of being able to ride switch. I'm left handed, but am riding with my left foot in back because it is more natural for me. Did the whole battery of stance testing and whatnot, plus I used to ride a skateboard every now and again.

So, yah, sorry for the wall of text, and I know I might be excessively analyzing things. I'd love to hear what you guys think.

corneilli

I would first look at that, having your foot loose in you boot ain't gonna come in handy for initiating toeside turns. You need to make sure you don't get heellift. If you fix that, I'm pretty sure it will be much easier

treedodger

fix the boot problem, then after that just keep practicing. Watch other people. And you will get it. Its like riding a bike. Really hard at first. Then once you get it, its a piece of cake.

nread

Thanks, guys! I knew I would get some great feedback. I'm going to try different socks (thicker), and look into j bars for my boots. Also, it does sound like I am riding too tall as Wolf puts it.

I noticed this as I was tweaking things trying to figure out what the problem was. I was clearly not hunkering down as much as I needed to. I fixed this and immediately saw a difference; still not great, but better. Based on your write up, I THINK I am doing everything else as I should...I'm sure I'll notice more things as I learn. As the title says, process of elimination, right?