riding switch - Page 6 - Snowboarding Forum

poutanen · 01-19-2013, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blockay

is a directional twin board close to true? or does it effect my switch riding a lot

There are varying degrees of directional flex. Some boards have just slightly more pop in the tail, others are quite directional.

I've debated about setting up a second board with a regular stance so I can try to learn switch without the disadvantage of the directional board...

That said, whether it's a true twin or a highly directional board, the mechanics of riding are generally the same. If you're having a lot of trouble riding switch a true twin wouldn't be a bad idea, but it's not going to make it massively easier. Noticeably but not massively.

Wangta · 01-19-2013, 07:59 PM

I'd echo many of the comments by others.

Binding angles - def easier if your rear foot is pointed outward a little. My angles +18, -9.

Start off on a nice, smooth groomed run - either a green or blue. You don't want it to flat - you need some grade.

DO IT ALL DAY. I've just learned switch last month - I rode goofy literally ALL DAY for 5 straight days. If you stick to it, by the end of your first day, you'll get the hang of it (assuming you aren't bad at snowboarding regular).

It just takes time and practice. Practice practice practice.

t21 · 01-19-2013, 09:15 PM

rode switch half a day today on green run from top to bottom. wanted to revert to regular but kept it going except when kids where in the bottleneck. i can link turns, sorta carve on both sides but when i try to straight line my back leg tends to push out so i'll slow down and control it. I started switch riding last year but stop and concentrated on bumps till the season ended. so know since our mountain is not fully open, and there is not much bump terrain to ride, i'm going back to practicing switch. tell you what, able to ride switch sure help me out on some would have been bad crashes

.

blockay · 01-20-2013, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowolf

A directional twin will have negligible effect on switch riding. Unless I am mistaken, a directional twin has a symmetrical sidecut and flex pattern. The only real difference is that a directional twin has a setback on the stance. You don't start dealing with progressive sidecuts and asymmetrical flex patterns until you are dealing with directional boards. Even boards such as these like the NS Cobra and Summit, are actually quite adept at switch riding once the rider dials in the handling characteristics.

well thats good to know i thought differently

rasmasyean · 01-20-2013, 05:05 PM

I think as you go faster however, directional is more noticable. You can feel the performance characteristics come into play. I think one of the effects of a longer nose is that it will dampen the oncoming bumps ahead before it reaches your foot. When you are riding tail first, you get less dampining effect which can effect your riding.

danzo · 01-22-2013, 02:39 AM

Glad to see I'm not the only one.

I put in about 3 hours today pushing myself to ride switch (duck stance.) Felt like I started to get the hang of it and cockyness got over me; started buttering down the hill thinking I was cool until I caught a serious heal edge while going flat. Smashed my head so hard, it damaged the inside of my helmet. Couldn't go switch any more for the rest of the night, lol.

It definitely felt like I was a complete noob again wiping out on green runs normal when I can slay double blacks goofy. With patience though, I think it can be done by anyone. You gotta go back to the basics, stand on flat ground strapped in and practice facing the other way and applying pressure to your bindings.

I believe a lot it has to do with underdeveloped muscles; I can feel the soreness coming from doing that switch session today.

On a positive note, it added a very nice confidence element when I was able to ride both ways, Def some bonus style points when you can pop 180s during your run and keep the stance.

ig88 · 01-22-2013, 03:20 AM

I bet you are already real good buttering regular. Good man.

globoat · 02-06-2013, 11:50 AM

Tried riding switch for the first time the other day. I can't seam to lean forward going switch. I feel like I'm a million miles to the back of my board. I tried a couple of turns but I can't control them and just keep turning until I do a 360 and wipe out. I've lowered my expectations and am practicing riding switch on the flat ends of the runs. Any suggestions?

**Donutz** · 02-06-2013, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by globoat

Tried riding switch for the first time the other day. I can't seam to lean forward going switch. I feel like I'm a million miles to the back of my board. I tried a couple of turns but I can't control them and just keep turning until I do a 360 and wipe out. I've lowered my expectations and am practicing riding switch on the flat ends of the runs. Any suggestions?

That sounds pretty normal. Your muscles are trying to do the moves for regular riding and getting exactly the wrong result. Two biggest issues I had were not leaning forward and not turning my head to face forward (I was looking eyes-right instead).

Start in absolutely the simplest part of your favorite run, practice there. Gradually expand the area in which you are riding switch.

atr3yu · 02-06-2013, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by globoat

Tried riding switch for the first time the other day. I can't seam to lean forward going switch. I feel like I'm a million miles to the back of my board. I tried a couple of turns but I can't control them and just keep turning until I do a 360 and wipe out. I've lowered my expectations and am practicing riding switch on the flat ends of the runs. Any suggestions?

My exact issue as well. Though I really want to learn. Saturday the bunny hill and I have a date.

01-19-2013, 07:59 PM	#52 (permalink)
Wangta Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Vermont and SoCal Posts: 154	I'd echo many of the comments by others. Binding angles - def easier if your rear foot is pointed outward a little. My angles +18, -9. Start off on a nice, smooth groomed run - either a green or blue. You don't want it to flat - you need some grade. DO IT ALL DAY. I've just learned switch last month - I rode goofy literally ALL DAY for 5 straight days. If you stick to it, by the end of your first day, you'll get the hang of it (assuming you aren't bad at snowboarding regular). It just takes time and practice. Practice practice practice. __________________ -- 2012 Ride Highlife 161 2013 Ride Slackcountry 164

01-19-2013, 09:15 PM	#53 (permalink)
t21 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: mt. Posts: 261	rode switch half a day today on green run from top to bottom. wanted to revert to regular but kept it going except when kids where in the bottleneck. i can link turns, sorta carve on both sides but when i try to straight line my back leg tends to push out so i'll slow down and control it. I started switch riding last year but stop and concentrated on bumps till the season ended. so know since our mountain is not fully open, and there is not much bump terrain to ride, i'm going back to practicing switch. tell you what, able to ride switch sure help me out on some would have been bad crashes. __________________ 2011 Ride Antic 163 2011 Status Focus 158 NX2-AT

01-22-2013, 02:39 AM	#56 (permalink)
danzo Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 34	Re: riding switch Glad to see I'm not the only one. I put in about 3 hours today pushing myself to ride switch (duck stance.) Felt like I started to get the hang of it and cockyness got over me; started buttering down the hill thinking I was cool until I caught a serious heal edge while going flat. Smashed my head so hard, it damaged the inside of my helmet. Couldn't go switch any more for the rest of the night, lol. It definitely felt like I was a complete noob again wiping out on green runs normal when I can slay double blacks goofy. With patience though, I think it can be done by anyone. You gotta go back to the basics, stand on flat ground strapped in and practice facing the other way and applying pressure to your bindings. I believe a lot it has to do with underdeveloped muscles; I can feel the soreness coming from doing that switch session today. On a positive note, it added a very nice confidence element when I was able to ride both ways, Def some bonus style points when you can pop 180s during your run and keep the stance.

02-06-2013, 11:50 AM	#58 (permalink)
globoat Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 25	riding switch Tried riding switch for the first time the other day. I can't seam to lean forward going switch. I feel like I'm a million miles to the back of my board. I tried a couple of turns but I can't control them and just keep turning until I do a 360 and wipe out. I've lowered my expectations and am practicing riding switch on the flat ends of the runs. Any suggestions?

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01-20-2013, 05:05 PM	#55 (permalink)
rasmasyean Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 674	I think as you go faster however, directional is more noticable. You can feel the performance characteristics come into play. I think one of the effects of a longer nose is that it will dampen the oncoming bumps ahead before it reaches your foot. When you are riding tail first, you get less dampining effect which can effect your riding.

01-22-2013, 03:20 AM	#57 (permalink)
ig88 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 183	I bet you are already real good buttering regular. Good man.