Forums › Advice Q&A › Newbie, sorta… question about turning.
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January 21, 2009 at 3:54 am #262So, I've been snowboarding maybe 20 times or so. I've never taken lessons, so I feel I've developed some bad habits. I started snowboarding when I was around 14 or 15, but I'm only able to get out maybe once a year, so I'm no expert. I knew how to wakeboard and skateboard so I assumed at the time I would be able to teach myself snowboarding too. I can make it down the mountain fine, but I have to do 180's in order to do it. I'm not too sure what's toeside or heelside as I've never really cared to learn the specifics until now, so try to picture me going down the hill. (and someone explain to me what toeside and heelside turns are….like what edge my board should be on in each)I ride regular with my left foot facing the bottom of the hill. I can turn to the right with no issues at all (my back is facing the bSo, I've been snowboarding maybe 20 times or so. I've never taken lessons, so I feel I've developed some bad habits. I started snowboarding when I was around 14 or 15, but I'm only able to get out maybe once a year, so I'm no expert. I knew how to wakeboard and skateboard so I assumed at the time I would be able to teach myself snowboarding too. I can make it down the mountain fine, but I have to do 180's in order to do it. I'm not too sure what's toeside or heelside as I've never really cared to learn the specifics until now, so try to picture me going down the hill. (and someone explain to me what toeside and heelside turns are….like what edge my board should be on in each)I ride regular with my left foot facing the bottom of the hill. I can turn to the right with no issues at all (my back is facing the bottom of hill), but when I straighten myself out and try to turn left (front facing downhill), I seem to do a 180. I can't seem to keep my board angled to the left without the board spinning me around. I don't know if I'm maybe not leaning back enough or what? Hopefully someone understands what's going on here and can give me some insight so I can get down the slopes normal this year. I'm going to Big Powderhorn in 2 weeks and would like to get it right. Thanks everyone.January 21, 2009 at 4:21 am #3205so you're having trouble on heelside turns. usually 1 or the other gives alot of people problems.heelsides are also my problem. what i do when im going onto my heelside edge is keep my weight centered, and flex my front toe up, which twists the center of the board to put the frontheelside edge into effect. then you have to just lift up your back toe and wham, you're on heelside!this all has to be as fluid of a motion as it can be, or you'll catch an edge, or start flat spinning,which is what you're doing now.the trick is to keep your weight centered in these. too far forward with your weight and you'll bewhipped over, but thats pretty far hanging out forward. leaning back gives you the opposite effectand causes you to get into the stop position on heelside, and spin you around.you'll have to find your balance point for heelsides since they'rso you're having trouble on heelside turns. usually 1 or the other gives alot of people problems.heelsides are also my problem. what i do when im going onto my heelside edge is keep my weight centered, and flex my front toe up, which twists the center of the board to put the frontheelside edge into effect. then you have to just lift up your back toe and wham, you're on heelside!this all has to be as fluid of a motion as it can be, or you'll catch an edge, or start flat spinning,which is what you're doing now.the trick is to keep your weight centered in these. too far forward with your weight and you'll bewhipped over, but thats pretty far hanging out forward. leaning back gives you the opposite effectand causes you to get into the stop position on heelside, and spin you around.you'll have to find your balance point for heelsides since they're your problem, and im guessingyour skill in toeside results from skateboarding..thats where i got mine.heres some advice i actually got from a riding instructor.position for toeside – pee like a boyposition for heelside – pee like a girla few of my friends learned to ride on this advice alone. maybe it'll work for you too i dont know.some others will chime in with their advice, take all you can get, everyone has a different wayof learning, one of the methods surely will work. 🙂January 21, 2009 at 5:54 pm #3206
position for toeside – pee like a boyposition for heelside – pee like a girl
LOL, that is awesome. Great advise, yeah there is more too it, things like rhythm, timing, and coordination, but basic stances are fundamental. They are the foundation of successful riding and cannot be practiced too much.Weight shifts during transition from heel/toe and toe/heel are subtle but important. For most applications shift weight up and over the front foot slightly, then settle slowly to center. Front toe in, back toe in…Unweight board, twist board slightly.Front heel in… back heel in…Front toe in, back toe in…Unweight board, twist board slightly.Front heel in… back heel in…Like that. You will develop a rhythm to get flow. Once you flow it is all there for you. You are then free to move about the mountain
position for toeside – pee like a boyposition for heelside – pee like a girl
LOL, that is awesome. Great advise, yeah there is more too it, things like rhythm, timing, and coordination, but basic stances are fundamental. They are the foundation of successful riding and cannot be practiced too much.Weight shifts during transition from heel/toe and toe/heel are subtle but important. For most applications shift weight up and over the front foot slightly, then settle slowly to center. Front toe in, back toe in…Unweight board, twist board slightly.Front heel in… back heel in…Front toe in, back toe in…Unweight board, twist board slightly.Front heel in… back heel in…Like that. You will develop a rhythm to get flow. Once you flow it is all there for you. You are then free to move about the mountain in total control.I recommend an instructor. I was one for like 6 years and I must have helped thousands of people to snowboard better. Yes, it does cost $$ but it is worth it due to the rewards you can get even from just one lesson. (I wish my golf lesson was like that LOL).Here are little secrets about hiring an instructor:If it is mid season and the snow is powdery and good, take the lesson in the morning. You will get better snow and a more energetic coach. If it is spring and the snow is older, go in the afternoon. By then the snow is softened up a little and the crowds are died down. The afternoons provide more exclusive attention from the instructor since the group sizes are smaller. Since you are experienced already, you may want to go private lesson if you can afford it. Ask around the lodge who is the best instructor and REQUEST that person at the ski school office.
January 21, 2009 at 5:56 pm #3207Also, for heelside turns, make sure your bindings have FORWARD LEAN set right.[iurl=http://www.frostyrider.com/boards/index.php/topic,228.0.html]http://www.frostyrider.com/boards/index.php/topic,228.0.html[/iurl]
January 22, 2009 at 6:19 pm #3220Hey, thanks people! I'm heading up to a smaller moutain this weekend with a few buddies for a warm up session before we go to Powderhorn in Michigan, so I'll give this a try. Hopefully I'll have some luck.
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