Snowboarding

[pemberly]

I'm actually going to try snowboarding for the first time on Sunday. It's end of season, and it's cheap. I have friends that go almost every weekend, and they invited me along.

Does anybody have any tips for me? The first time she went, my friend had a huge bruise. the size of...roughly, her entire leg, haha. I'm kind of scared. apparently, i'm gonna be hurt a lot. is there a chance that i'll be a master snowboarder right off the bat? ha ha. is there anything i can do to prepare? too bad i never learned how to skateboard.

[CrazyT]

Late reply. That's what I get for never checking the forum. Anyhoo, how did the snowboarding go? Did you break anything?

The first time I went snowboarding was ugly. I fell so much that my wrists has never been the same again. Since you already went, I guess any tips I give now will be useless. Unless you plan on going again.

[pemberly]

wow, a reply! haha. i actually didn't end up going. on the friday and saturday before, i went to look for ski clothes, but it was all packed up for spring. i guess the stores thought nobody would be buying that kind of stuff in april in 60 degree weather. well they were wrong! so i didn't end up going, but i'm gonna try to go next year. an old co-worker of mine used to be an ski and snowboarding instructor, and she told me to learn snowboarding instead of skiing. bc there's less chance of me ripping off a leg. and the only parts that i'll probably hurt are my bum and my wrists.

[KJ]

Learning to snowboard can be a very challenging experience. Expected to fall, alot! Your wrists (from falling forward) and your bum (from falling backwards) will be very sore the next day. The important things to know about snowboarding are the keep your knees bent, your back leg and abs are used for turning, and braking is done by turning (left and right). The first thing you need to know, I guess is whether you're goofy(right foot in front) or regular(left foot in front). Knowing this offhand will help in your development. Imagine how much harder it would be if you aren't snowboarding in your natural stance.

Braking(turning) is probably the hardest thing you'll learn to do. Using the goofy stance(since I am goofy), you turn to the left by twisting your body so your bum will be facing downhill and you need to lift your heels like you're on your tiptoes. This is so the heel of your board will not catch the snow and cause you to wipe out. Turning right, is the opposite, you twist your body (turning requires ab muscles) and lift up your toes while leaning back slightly. You need to find the balance when you are leaning your body, lean too much and you'll just find up falling backwards, not enough and you'll fall forward.

Well, I hope these tips will help. Of course, you will not master it your first time, but at least you'll have some ideas on what to do. The only way to learn is to actually do it, so be prepared to fall a lot. You can prepare by wearing some extra padding on your bum and wear a wrist guard. have fun snowboarding.

[superkaratemonkey]

i find dat snowboarding is really tough on your knees, cuz u have to keep them bent and alot of your weight is on those area. i fall alot and so i try to brace myself w/ my hands, but dat takes a toll on your wrists.
key for a person new to snowboarding IMO is to learn to dig your heels into the snow, dat will slow u down to a stop. whenever ur going too fast or losing balance, do dat and u'll stay on your feet. save u from ALOT of pain.

[machiavelli]

Great tips KJ. I am an avid Snowboarder and recommend anyone who loves adventure and adrenaline pumping action to learn this sport! Besides, you look really cool in your Snowboarding gear. It's the only time and place of the year where you actually look good with more clothes on.

For the main poster, If you ever consider going, I recommend first buy a good pair of Snowboarding pants, jacket, gloves and a beanie. Without it you will hate snowboarding with a cold-freezing-*** passion. The first time I went, I wore jeans... 30 minutes of falling down the slope and my jeans are as hard as rock. Good thing I am a stubborn guy so I came back with all the appropriate attire and mastered it!

Things to know are, Snowboarding is an EXPENSIVE sport. If you do get into it, expect to spend over 600+ for the appropriate gear. I spent 329$ on my board, 150$ on my bindings and another 150$ on my boots. Not to mention my pants, jacket, googles, gloves, and all other necessary accessories to keep you nice and comfortable while you're up on the mountains, it's extremely extravagant.

Another thing to know is, know which trail you're heading to. A mountain slope can be quite confusing with all the cuts and turns into different difficulty settings. If you're a novice and accidentally cuts into a Black Diamond(Hard Difficulty) slope, there is no going up, only down.. and down.. and down.