snowboarding newbie

Forums Advice Q&A snowboarding newbie

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 18 total)
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  • #255
    softee77
    Participant
      hi frosty.I just started my first snowboard lesson today. It was fun though I must say I spent most of my time down on the snow than riding the board. I guess that is part of learning.I had a great difficulty getting up with my two feet attached to the board that I mostly had to asked for help with the instructor… I need a huge advise on that one if there is an easier way to do it. I dunno if binding would play an important role on that one as I got a rental with no binding, you know those type of boards that you just step on and you're done. Anyways, I think aside from the fact that i got a board with no binding, my boots were a bit loose on for my liking. I have a size 4 feet and i wore 5 on this particular lesson, which could also play a part for making my lesson of great difficulty. You think it would have make things work for me with a better fitting pair of b
      #3134
      Frosty
      Keymaster

        Hey softee77,Welcome to the forums and the world of snowboarding.  Glad to hear you got a lesson.  That is really the way to go.  This might sound weird, but standing up is one of the hardest parts of snowboarding.  Once you get better, you have to do it a lot less, and also as you get more experienced it gets a little easier.  You are right, having boots that are one size too big make things harder.  Once you get your own gear you can dial in things like stance width and binding highback angle which make things easier all around for you.  Here is another nook of encouragement — it is easier to stand up on steeper hills like blue and black runs than greens.  Stick with it and I am sure you will be rewarded.

        #3135
        Travis Hightower
        Participant
          Welcome softee!Like frosty said, getting up is one of the hardest parts to learn, but everyone has their ownway of getting back on their board. The way i do it, is if im on my back, i roll over to my stomach,and use my knees to stand up. just like it was natural. You can get onto your knees sitting straightup and plan your direction without being on the board. Then when you're ready, push up, andturn down the mountain. Its the easiest way to get up from what I've seen. Once you get better,and start riding faster, you'll figure out how to use your momentum to get right back up in motionwhen you fall.As far as the bindings go, i prefer traditional bindings. Though they're harder to get in and out ofthan the step ins that you get as a rental, but to me the offer more support. The resorts use step ins as convenience to make it simpler for people just starting
          #3138
          Josh
          Participant

            Yup softee practice makes perfect.  One day your gonna have a run where it all just comes to you and your blasting down the mountain.  Well kinda.Just stick with it.  Its definately worth the falls.  As for the boots you dont want them to hurt your feet like you dont want your toes curled up.  But you do want them nice and snug.  Maybe you can try on a smaller size and see how that is.

            #3143
            softee77
            Participant
              Thanks guys!!! I will definitely try a smaller size boot on my next lesson as I totally felt the effect of inappropriate size this morning… My lower leg is sore when I woke this morning especially the left one as it was the one attached to the board. I remember my foot sliding off the boot while doing the uphill hike…. that was really nasty… painful and I can totally feel the weight of the boot and the board pulling… I'll try going down a size for the board too and see what difference it'll make… i used the board calculator and i got the range of 132-133-134. the only available in the rental was the 134 amongst the three, hopefully next time 132 or  133 would be available. And also, i will surely try rolling on my stomach to get up.. to be honest i don't mind falling while learning as it is part of it, but it just that getting bac
              #3144
              rowan
              Participant

                Hi!  I just wanted to add that a lot of the soreness that you're feeling is definately normal, whether your boots were too large or not.  When I was first learning to ride there were some days I could barely walk the next day.  My calves and thighs would be so lame…  But don't let that discrourage you.  The more you ride you will build those muscles and that type of soreness will go away… snowboarding is a crazy awesome workout, and way more fun than going to a gym!  Good luck!

                #3148
                Josh
                Participant

                  Yup I used to wake up insanely sore lol.  As you do it more though your body will get more used to it and you get stronger and stuff so you wont be so sore.

                  #3155
                  Travis Hightower
                  Participant

                    yep! 1st time riding and you'll feel like you were hit by a truck…100 times. haha.2nd time wont be AS bad, but you'll still be in pain. about the..5th or so timeyou'll be fine. and its not like that for the 1st ride of every season, the moreyou do it, the more the 1st day wont hurt at all. i had no pains from the 1st daythis year..except my accident haha.and i remember reading somewhere that snowboarding burns like 600 caloriesan hour, so its much much better than the gym. i think i got that fact from livestrong.com.anyone want to double check?

                    #3163
                    softee77
                    Participant

                      😀 hehehe… thanks you guys… i guess i would have to prepare myself for another set of body aches on the  next lesson eyh… Anyways, I forgot to ask… how will i know that i am using the right foot in to be in front of the board, regular or a goofy???

                      #3165
                      Josh
                      Participant

                        There is a topic here: http://www.frostyrider.com/boards/index.php/topic,234.0.html which talks a lot about goofy/regular.  Dont worry  TOO much about that though cuz in the end hopefully you will feel comfortable riding either way (switch).  And there isnt a perfect way to figure it out besides just riding.  Have fun!

                        #3170
                        Travis Hightower
                        Participant

                          i remember that post. and we all had different ways to figure out right off the bat which way you ride without being on the board lol.dont let it get to you if you're “goofy” footed, some people like to pick on people that ride that way,but its all in the name of fun. (im goofy! 😀 )ride however you feel natural and have fun! thats what its all about 🙂

                          #3182
                          softee77
                          Participant

                            😆  Thanks for your help guys!!! I will surely have fun with my next lesson with your enlightning words in mind…Oh by the way, I came across this interesting website about snowboard work out if anyone is interested, I just want to share it:http://www.together.net/~ronjav/sbtp/index.htm

                            #3184
                            Josh
                            Participant

                              No prob.Thats what were here for :)Yea Ive seen that sight before.  Very informative….

                              #3185
                              Roca
                              Participant

                                I too am a snowboarding newbie 😀  I just wanted to mention that I found it almost impossible to “pop” up from the sitting position as well.  I tried the rolling over which worked great, but I found it a little hard to shimmy my way to the edge.  What worked for me was bringing my butt really close to the board and just leaning forward onto my knees then getting up from my knees…I read someone earlier mentioning getting up from their knees in the beginning too… sooo much easier!!! I feel like I must not have worked very hard my first time as I really wasn't in that much pain the day after  🙁  but man did my shins ever burn during!!!!Wishing you all a great season!! Im loving all the snow  😀

                                #3547
                                softee77
                                Participant

                                  😀 hello again frosty!!! I'm back to snowboarding this year since my first lessons last year.  Found out that I'm a goofy. I can now do switch naturally thanks to your tips, but still prefer being a goofy.  I got myself physicallyy prepared too, it made it more easy and more fun 😆 less sore. A proper fitted boot and a well-sized board made a huge difference. And add to that I discovered that when you dig your board a bit makes it easy to stand up as the board does not slide as much. Now i'm planning to buy a setup on Christmas boxing day…hehehe… I need some advice on how to choose a board now and what type of bindings would suit me best.thanks guys  😀 Its going to be a fun season for me….

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