[lbs123]

I was wondering if a good style can be learned or if it's based on some characteristics like body type that you cannot change. When looking at some YouTubers, even those who are on an expert level (say TJ or Tommie B), their style isn't as smooth as some pro snowboards like Dusty Henricksen, Sebbe de Buck, or Kevin Backstrom.

What makes someone's riding look so smooth? For example, Mia Brookes here:

http://instagr.am/p/CcFnmqCAjjK/

Is it minimal movements? Keeping everything tight while being relaxed? Not waving hands? Or are they just born like that?

While talking about advanced freestyle, I believe the same applies to basics like turning.

 

[Phedder]

Is it minimal movements? Keeping everything tight while being relaxed? Not waving hands?

While talking about advanced freestyle, I believe the same applies to basics like turning.

All of that. Making it look effortless, while also being very intentional. Every movement is very controlled, nothing erratic or jerking, and each movement flows smoothly into the next.

 

[Oldman]

All of that. Making it look effortless, while also being very intentional. Every movement is very controlled, nothing erratic or jerking, and each movement flows smoothly into the next.

And all of this results in one being BALANCED over their board at all times. When you achieve this, you are free to execute whatever you want, whenever you want, while continuing to maintain everything mentioned above. Far easier said than done.

 

[Big Pickle]

As others have already posted, I think it's a combination of body weight, strength, flexibility and balance along with a lot of practice.
Interestingly, I've recently been watching several Tommie B videos, and at times I think he looks very smooth. A lot of the time I think he's exaggerating his motions to help demonstrate the process and steps, but I think he possesses the characteristics necessary to be smooth when he wants. Just my opinion.

 

[lbs123]

Ok, what about these. I've noticed that Kevin improved his skills and those 180s are technically properly executed but something is still off with his style. Stiff knees? Utasnow looks more flexible and "springy".

 

[lbs123]

Interestingly, I've recently been watching several Tommie B videos, and at times I think he looks very smooth.

Yeah, I think he has very good style, maybe it's just way too specific, so it doesn't look like those pro riders. But for sure it's smooth in its own way.

 

[Chern]

No one is born like that.
Like all professional athletes and every sport it takes work. Lots of work.
Snowboarding is no different.

Core Strength, Balance exercises, conditioning, stretching, and 1000's of hours put into perfecting the style.
Core strength = balance so you don't have to move your arms and legs as much and can control your movements.

What you do in the off season is just as important as what you do during the seasons.
Trampoline work, Yoga, planks, planks, and more planks, BOSU ball balance, working with a trainer, etc.

Kevin from SPC got better because he wanted to get better and worked at getting better over the summer by putting in the time.
Genetics can also play a role too..... and age!
My 57 year old body just wont do what I want it to do anymore.

Does Kevin have more work to do? We all do !

 

[El Cholo Rojo]

Mia Brookes also has better fits than all of them. Under the YungDoli @ LAAX tutelage.

Wearing the right pants goes a long way.

 

[Big Pickle]

Too funny! I was thinking the same thing. I don't think anybody would look smooth in the purple and black pants.

 

[thecadgod]

In powder:
Smooth transitions that create a line down the mountain that refelect the terrain and riders uniqueness, complimenting the mountain like a pin stripe on a classic car, while the rider is looking cool, relaxed with effortless movement.

 

[Chern]

Too funny! I was thinking the same thing. I don't think anybody would look smooth in the purple and black pants.

In honor of his death 20 years ago here's a photo Craig Kelly . . . .
In purple pants.
Smooth ? Fuck yes! His Methods were pure magic!

Craig could make any color of pant look smooth!

 

[thecadgod]

Moment of silence for the GOAT






.

 

[lbs123]

Maybe it's related to how we perceive "effortless". If movement (input) is done quickly and results in big output, we perceive it as a little effort.

If someone does ollie slowly and jumps 2 inches high, we perceive it as big effort due to low output vs input ratio. If someone does a quick movement and jumps 20 inches high, we perceive it as little effort because the output is big in comparison to the input (we don't perceive the real physical effort, only its duration).

That would mean that one way to improve style is training explosive strength.

 

[El Cholo Rojo]

I don't think anybody would look smooth in the purple and black pants.

This is Kev's fault. The fit in that vid is a mess. Looks like laundry day.

MB is dope in the purple and black too. Didn't mean to imply that she's all pants.
http://instagr.am/p/CQ5yQJIgc9u/

 

[Etienne]

@Chern is right, core strength will help a lot and squat mobility help a lot. Both by being lower—if you pay attention, pros are always super low on their legs—and by being looser on your legs, because you can keep you upper body straight.

The second part is experience and anticipation. They look far away, their brain process everything and their body reacts to be exactly what it needs to, that's it. It takes a loooot of practice. At my own little level, I often surprise people, making smooth turns on snow that isn't perfect—crust, wind blown pow, firmer parts in the middle etc—nothing impressive at all, but it just look easy. They go like it's easy and end up all sketchy, saying "snow was meh, I got surprised". Reality is, I just made those turns thousands more times than them and I can read the snow a bit better than them and anticipate a bit better. Pros do that at stratoshperic levels.

Some are natural at this, like Longo. I dunno if we still have the vids somewhere, but some 25 years ago I had shots of me and Longo hitting the same hit in the pipe. We were about the same height—this quickly changed!—it looked like I was battling my way, where he looked absolutely careless and effortless. Form was a huge factor in that, but if you looked closely, his boards was actually buckling around more than mine, but he was way more solid on his core/upper body and he was looking at the highest point of his air already, where I would have my have scanning for bumps on the way.

Another aspect about style, is that riders like Fritj, Gigi, Stale etc. are VERY intentional about it. They try, and try, and try again, looking at shots each time, to see if it looks how they want. It may look they always ride like that, but they select shots and work every little tweak in between.

 

[Etienne]

Ok, what about these. I've noticed that Kevin improved his skills and those 180s are technically properly executed but something is still off with his style. Stiff knees? Utasnow looks more flexible and "springy".

Notice how the japanese dude is much lower on his legs and seems much more solid on it's core. It's smooth, but also way more powerful than the SBC guy. Also he goes quite bigger, which helps the "smoothness"—but is much harder ofc.

 

[Kevington]

If you are comparing youtubers to actual pro snowboarders then you are perhaps on the wrong track in terms of understanding style. The youtube guys are at best, quite good at snowboarding because they do it often. I would avoid watching them if you want to ride with more style.

I think some people are just born with it. That is not to say it can't be improved and worked on but for every Mia B there are hundreds of others who have put in just as many hours and have comparable athletic ability but have little or no style.

Can everyone write transcendently beautiful poetry that will be remembered down the ages if they just try hard enough? The true style gods are born with some thing, that if nurtured allows them to perform magical acts and actually express something personal that goes beyond just being really really good at it. It's probably an unpopular opinion but for me Travis Rice is the ultimate example of an amazing snowboarder who is often referred to as the GOAT and has certainly achieved huge success and pushed snowboarding and continues to change the game with an impressive dedication and work ethic but is he a style god?

It is also no coincidence that the majority of stylish snowboarders also skate. No, I don't mean longboarding. Much like music, I think weed and mushrooms are probably more important than most would like to admit.

Also really really big pants

 

[lbs123]

I don't watch the youtube guys for style. Without any intention to bash Kevin from SPC here again, he is a good example of someone who rides a lot and can improve technically (respect for the fs boardslide on a downtube), but hasn't improved his style over the years. I don't know if he is unaware, doesn't care about it or thinks his style is fine, but it makes him a good study case. On the visible side, it could be his posture and hand movements, and what's hidden could be the lack of core and explosive strength.

The question is if working on these could improve his style or if it's too late for him as an adult. The skateboarding point is valid, but a more relevant reason could be that they learned to skate as kids.

 

[Etienne]

If you are comparing youtubers to actual pro snowboarders then you are perhaps on the wrong track in terms of understanding style. The youtube guys are at best, quite good at snowboarding because they do it often. I would avoid watching them if you want to ride with more style.

I think some people are just born with it. That is not to say it can't be improved and worked on but for every Mia B there are hundreds of others who have put in just as many hours and have comparable athletic ability but have little or no style.

Can everyone write transcendently beautiful poetry that will be remembered down the ages if they just try hard enough? The true style gods are born with some thing, that if nurtured allows them to perform magical acts and actually express something personal that goes beyond just being really really good at it. It's probably an unpopular opinion but for me Travis Rice is the ultimate example of an amazing snowboarder who is often referred to as the GOAT and has certainly achieved huge success and pushed snowboarding and continues to change the game with an impressive dedication and work ethic but is he a style god?

It is also no coincidence that the majority of stylish snowboarders also skate. No, I don't mean longboarding. Much like music, I think weed and mushrooms are probably more important than most would like to admit.

Also really really big pants

I partly agree, but there's some nuance to it: anybody can vastly improve their style if they work on it, at least by following/copying a style. Very few people are indeed capable of creating their own, unique (and good…) style and those riders are often naturals.

 

[Kevington]

I don't watch the youtube guys for style. Without any intention to bash Kevin from SPC here again, he is a good example of someone who rides a lot and can improve technically (respect for the fs boardslide on a downtube), but hasn't improved his style over the years. I don't know if he is unaware, doesn't care about it or thinks his style is fine, but it makes him a good study case. On the visible side, it could be his posture and hand movements, and what's hidden could be the lack of core and explosive strength.

The question is if working on these could improve his style or if it's too late for him as an adult. The skateboarding point is valid, but a more relevant reason could be that they learned to skate as kids.

I agree, for sure core strength and flexibility are massively important in allowing you to do what you want with your body. I have worked on it a bit recently and I can control my body position on the board more and in such a way that it feels better to me when I ride. I'm not sure it looks any more stylish to anyone else though, I hope so but I'll probably never know. I'm not sure good form and good style are necessarily the same thing.