Switching to snowboard

Forums Advice Q&A Switching to snowboard

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 15 total)
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  • #1007
    AzCrazy1
    Participant
      I've been skiing for about 32 years and decided I want to give boarding a go. I was a skater in my younger days and to this day I still wakeboard. Since I live in desert we don't really have many people to talk with about set up, so I just want to make sure I'm on track before hitting the mountain this weekend. I'm 5'-10″210lbs (I'm also a body builder and this is my cut weight, during bulk I'll go to 240lbs)Size 11 bootK2 Fuse 163WK2 Mach bindingsK2 Range bootsI set my bindings with my forward foot at +15 and rear at -9 and with the boots in the bindings I have a little less than 1/2″ overhang.I usually ride my wakeboard goofy foot forward with a duckfoot stance and riding fakie is no problem, I don't know how that tranlates to snowboarding but I figured it was a good starting point.All I want to do is cruise the mountain w
      #3860
      Frosty
      Keymaster

        Hey AXcrazy1,Seems like you know what you are doing.  That is VERY similar to the angles I am currently using.  I think I have a tad bit more angle on the front foot.  If it is comfortable for you then go with it!

        #3861
        AzCrazy1
        Participant

          Thanks for the quick response Frosty. I'll bring some tools with me this weekend and tweak it if I need to.

          #3862
          Frosty
          Keymaster

            Sure thing.  Have fun up there and let us know if you need any more help or anything.  😀

            #3863
            AzCrazy1
            Participant

              My first snowboard experience was a little rough the first half of the day. The mountain got a couple inches of fresh powder yesterday and was snowing off and on today. The snowboard is nothing like a wakeboard except they both hurt when you catch an edge, and I had my fair share of that. The second half of the day was much better after I moved the bindings back a little for the powder and widened my stance by one set of holes. Heelside turns weren't too bad but toeside I kept going too far and would end up with my backside pointing downhill. Im gonna give it another go next weekend.

              #3864
              Frosty
              Keymaster

                Not too bad man.  I think EVERYBODY remembers their first day snowboarding and will never forget it! For your progression to getting better toeside turns and getting into s-turns, these links may help:

                #3865
                AzCrazy1
                Participant
                  Alright, I finally got to hit the mountain again. The top half of the mountain was powder and the lower half was groomed. I was loving the powder, I could link my turns heelside and toeside. Every once in awhile I would submarine the board but for the most part it was great. I was having difficulty on the groomed portions and really struggled with my turns. All I could really do to turn was to slide the board a little sideways and kinda drift where I wanted to go and toe side I kept over rotating the board. (I know practice will fix that)My brother left his 155cm board in my truck so I “borrowed” it to see how a shorter board acted on the groomed stuff. It was a lot easier to control but still had issues turing on the hard stuff. We have about 1 or 2 more days of decent snow left for the season so I'm going to see what I can improve on these next few days.Aga
                  #3866
                  Frosty
                  Keymaster

                    That's awesome man.  Yeah, I like shorter boards on groomers and steeps and longer boards for powder.  I was out a couple weeks ago in over two feet for nice powder on a 159 (my all-around and groomer size) and anywhere but black diamond slopes, it was REALLY hard to keep the nose up.  Total leg burner.  Good thing I ride both regular and goofy so I can get that burn (workout) on both sides!

                    #3867
                    AzCrazy1
                    Participant

                      Had a great day of boarding today. I moved the hi-backs so they leaned more forward and that made a world of difference. Hitting the icy stuff was a lot better and I had more confidence in holding the edge through the turn. On the last run my nephew was screwing around and stabbed his ski pole in front of my board and I ate it bad. Ended up twisting my knee with along with a loud pop. At least I have some time to heal before next season.

                      #3868
                      Frosty
                      Keymaster

                        As an instructor I would “give the gift of forward lean” (increase the binding highback angle) to my guests.  They would get better instantly.  It is amazing what a pocket screwdriver and 2 minutes can do.RE: Your knee…Oh no!  Hope it wasn't anything serious.  Definitely want to let it heal up completely before doing anything physically demanding.  So many times I hear of people who slightly injure their knee then in a week or two later decide to go back out boarding/skiing or play basketball or whatever then completely blow out the knee (complete acl or mcl tear).

                        #3869
                        AzCrazy1
                        Participant

                          Well, the Dr says best case is a torn medial meniscus and worse case is a torn ACL but I won't know until the MRI results are in.

                          #3870
                          Frosty
                          Keymaster

                            Oh no.  Bummer!  😯  Hopefully it is something not too serious that will heal itself over time.

                            #3873
                            AzCrazy1
                            Participant

                              Found out that it is a torn ACL :angry: I'm meeting with my surgeon Friday to go over the particulars. One good thing is since I am a body builder my legs are in great shape which will help with the recovery time. I have a list of leg exercises that I can do up to the day of surgery, then afterwords I'll have about 8 weeks of agressive physical therapy. The Dr. said I should be able to ski / snowboard when the season rolls around again. I'll let you know how it goes.

                              #3874
                              Frosty
                              Keymaster
                                Well, I know they have gotten much better at ACL repairs in the last few years.  I got mine done (hamstring graft method) over 12 years ago and it has been holding up remarkably well!Do you feel any slipping in the knee?  I actually went for a couple years without an ACL and it was really sketchy.  Sometimes it would hold strong, and other times it would buckle from the simplest movements, usually sudden twisting.TO the defense of snowboarding, ACL injuries are less common than in other sports like skiing, football and basketball.  My knee initially blew out while playing basketball, but only a few weeks after slightly injuring it while snowboarding.  I was getting off a lift and a buddy jokingly pushed me over.  With one foot only strapped in my body
                                #3785
                                AzCrazy1
                                Participant

                                  Thought I would check in and let you know that my knee is healing great. My doctor released me a few weeks ago to start back in the gym with my weight lifting. They fitted me with a custom brace that prevents hyper extension and excessive twisting in the joint and it takes a lot of pressure off when walking. Boarding this winter shouldnt be an issue, but he wants me to wear the brace for safety. As much as I love the summer I can't wait for the snow!

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