Topic: Gear Bought for Beginner (Read 467 times)

tweeter_9999 · « **on:** February 09, 2011, 09:59:38 PM »

So I went snowboarding about 2 years ago and took beginner lessons with rentals. I was able to pick it up to where I was able to do turns and go down the mountain without falling all that much. This past weekend I tried doing it again with my own newly purchased gear and also took the beginner lesson again. During the lesson I was doing ok (still falling quite a bit), but the instructor told me my board was setup as goofy and it might need to be regular. Later I took the board to a local ski shop and the guy did a quick test and told me it was setup backwards...GREAT...not so much. The next day I could not even stay up on the board for more than 15-20 feet.
The first time I tried snowboarding I was 200 lbs and did well enough that I wanted to try again. This last time, after gaining 40 lbs, I am not sure if I want to try it again.
I am now 6 ft. 3 in. and 240 lbs. and a size 12 boot. I bought my equipment at a local ski shop in Texas and the guy recommended I get a Burton Bullet 157cm, Union bindings, and K2 boots. Also when I was going down the mountain on this new board, it seemed as though my feet were over the edge of the board and were catching on the snow more than I remember from before. From what I have read online it looks like I should be riding a longer board. Is there something with the new board or equipment that might not be best for a beginner snowboarder of my height & weight?

Frosty · « **Reply #1 on:** February 10, 2011, 10:50:38 AM »

Welcome to the Frosty Rider site tweeter_999!

Looks like you got a board that is a little short for someone your height. I believe the Burton Bullet is a "wide" board, so that is really good being that you have larger feet. Width of board is more important than length, so it actually should be fine to ride. I am guessing that the guys in your area are more freestylers/park oriented riders and prefer the shorter lengths for ease of maneuverability and "spin" tricks and such. That's cool, unless you are in deeper snow or riding higher speeds then you really wouldn't be missing anything in the length dept.

As for regular vs goofy, that is an age-old debate. It is up to you but let me offer you this bit. You are your own person and an activity like snowboarding provides you the opportunity to express your individuality without rigid confinements or strict "rules" present in other sports. If you are having fun then you are doing it right. Bottom line.

Additionally, in my many years of instructing thousands how to have fun snowboarding, I have found that the initial instinct trumps any test, rule, or pattern that can attempt to determine the regular/goofy orientation of a rider. Especially now that you already have experience doing it one way, to switch makes it harder and may stifle confidence (exception for the truly ambidextrous). This is due to the brain/muscle connection and the patterns that are imprinted from the first couple times. This is also why I always recommend hiring an instructor to get you going the most effective way from the get go.

As for the boot drag and catch issue, if your board is indeed the "wide" model, the problem is probably not due to anything other than the binding position being set incorrectly. Make sure that the boot has equality measurement wise in respect to the heel and toe edge of the board. IN my opinion, 1/4 inch toe/heel overhang is just right.

Also check that your bindings have a decent amount of "forward lean". If you don't know what that is, search this site for it and you will find more about it in some other posts and articles.

Hope this helps bro. Check out your stuff. Fiddle with it. Dial it in and tighen it down, then get out there and tear it up. Live right and peace out!

FR - 8

Author Topic: Gear Bought for Beginner (Read 467 times)

tweeter_9999

Gear Bought for Beginner

Frosty

Re: Gear Bought for Beginner

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