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HD 
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Post subject: Beginner looking for help!
 Posted: Nov 11, 2011 - 11:00 PM
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First post: Nov 11, 2011
Total posts: 9
Status: Offline
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Hi there!
Have quite a few questions. Hope you can help me out with some of them.
Looking into getting started with snowboarding. I live in Plymouth so will be taking a few lessons at the dry slope. People have said to me once they start teaching to turn then hit a snowy place as the turning isn't realistic. Is that a good way to learn?
I would learn it all when out there but 1 is cost for the whole holiday and 2 is that I want to spend as much time properly snowboarding.
Next question 
Someone I know is willing to sell me a M3 164 board with bindings for £50.
Is 164 going to be too long? I am just over six foot and a rugby build at around 17st. My long term aim would be to carve nicely and maybe some jumps with turns and grabs.
Possibly a bit of powder but less likely and not too sure about getting into half pipe and that.
So what your reckon?
Also, I have motocross oakley goggles. If I got a different (read tinted) lens, would it be suitable for out on the mountain? As long as it has UV protection, it should be okay, right? And what is the polarised stuff all about?
Last thing is helmets. Lidl have a helmet for £20 at the moment. Is it worth it?
I don't know how many people wear helmets but I would like to for at least when I'm learning on the more compact stuff. When I feel confident and am on a bit more snowy snow  then I think I will just wear a beanie and scarf.
So is it worth getting a helmet? And should I risk getting one from lidl. It meets guidelines if that is any reason?
And where can I try on some boots down this way? Would like to try some on to see what proper size I am so I don't get heel lift and then buy either second hand or online as I am 16 with only a part time job and at school so don't have much cash and parents can't help so all gear will be what I have and mostly second hand until I am certain I like snowboarding.
Think that is about it.
Thanks in advance  |
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HD
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Post subject: RE: Beginner looking for help!
Posted: Nov 12, 2011 - 10:16 AM
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First post: Nov 11, 2011
Total posts: 9
Status: Offline
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This has had 81 views and not one person comment
Even if you can help with just one of the questions your advice would be appreciated! |
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kirsto
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Post subject: RE: Beginner looking for help!
Posted: Nov 12, 2011 - 10:27 AM
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First post: Apr 29, 2011
Total posts: 27
Status: Offline
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Sorry mate, I'm from up north so no idea where you could try some boots on to be honest. I'd be wary of buying online though, boots are one thing I wouldn't scrimp on, cause if these are painful, you've just ruined your whole holiday man.
I've also never boarded on a dry slope, but can't really imagine it to be honest. Is there an indoor centre anywhere that you could use/try/learn on? I'd probably recommend that if possible.
Helmet, if it meets spec from Lidl then should be fine, especially if you are learning, just don't try any absolutely crazy sh1t and kill yourself.
This probably wasn't much help, sorry dude. |
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Limz
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Post subject: RE: Beginner looking for help!
Posted: Nov 12, 2011 - 10:33 AM
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First post: Apr 18, 2010
Total posts: 192
Location: Surrey
Status: Offline
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| Take the lesson's 1st and decide if you actually like snowboarding. Then once you've said "omg" snowboarding soooo good, I'm sooo addicted...you might get some more reply's. Forget about buying a snowboard, spend it on lessons, use the rentals. And when and if you decide snowboarding's for you...your 1st purchase is boots. Don't waste the shops time getting fitted to buy else where, save your pennies, do some part time casual work and spend that hard earned cash on some comfortable and correctly fitted boots from a decent shop. And welcome to scuk |
Last edited by Limz on Nov 12, 2011 - 11:47 AM; edited 1 time in total
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drawoc
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Post subject: RE: Beginner looking for help!
Posted: Nov 12, 2011 - 11:12 AM
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First post: Oct 06, 2011
Total posts: 61
Status: Offline
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I would get up to the dry slope in plymouth and do some lessons up there, the feel of a dryslope is a lot different to real snow, but in my opinion it is harder on the dryslope and if you learn on that then transfering your skills to snow will be very easy.
As for the helmet, if it meets guidelines then it has been designed with safety in mind. Many of the more expensive helmets are only more expensive because of brand name or style, you will have no problems with a lidl one, just dont expect it to look 'cool'.
I would not bother buying the board until you have had lessons, up at the dryslope, the hire board and boots are included in the lesson price so wait for a bit. Then if you really want to get into it, i would buy boots first and like said before, dont scrimp on these, get what fits best, not what is cheapest.
Hope this all helps. |
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If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence you ever tried!
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ace_mcgraw
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Post subject: RE: Beginner looking for help!
Posted: Nov 12, 2011 - 12:32 PM
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First post: Feb 20, 2007
Total posts: 4912
Location: That snowboarding hotbed, Norfolk
Status: Offline
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Hi there and welcome to SCUK 
Defo a good idea to give it a try first to see if you like before jumping in with both feet and spending lots of money.
I'm from the other side of the country, so I can't say much about shops down there. As far as learning goes, I would say its definitely worth having lessons and being able to turn on dryslope first. This is how I did it. Its true that dryslope is not like snow, but its less forgiving which means that once you learn how to turn on dryslope, on snow it should feel a lot easier. Then you'll be able to enjoy your holiday more and explore things, rather than being stuck on the bunny runs.
In terms of your board offer, it doesn't seem too bad in terms of your size. The longer the board the more unwieldy it is, and the more difficult it will be to turn. I'm a big guy, and learnt on a 154. Big boards are obviously bigger, but often stiffer as well which can make turnign slightly difficult, which is obviously not ideal for your first steps.
I'd recommend the first thing to do, after you've decided you like snowbaording and want to buy stuff, boots will be the first thing to look for. They are the most important kit, and will hamper any efforts of enjoying snowbaording as much and probably more than a less than perfect board.
I don't know (Others may know more about this than me) of any reason why motorcross goggles won't be ok, as long as they have the appropriate UV ratings, and secondly that you have the right lenses. You want orange or yellow lenses for low light, but you don't wanna use them if the sun is making an appearance - a darker lens would be better. There's lots of threads about goggles and suitable lenses so do a search and that should give you more info.
Helmets - I would say get one. It is personal choice, although for lessons at a dryslope you'll almost certainly have to wear one, and if you don't fancy a sweat soaked rental one, its worht getting one yourself. If you go to Lidl, make sure it is properly rated for snow use - lots of lids may be ok for normal use, but aren't rated below a certain temperature. Again, there have been a lot of threads about these over the years so check them out.
Funnily enough, just as I was reading your bit about helmets, an advert for the SCUK shop came up with a decent looking helment for £40 or something. Its all about making sure that it meets the correct standards, otherwise its offering minimal extra protection.
Finally, its probably worth joining SCUK if you wanna buy stuff - the discounts you get for being a member mean that you'll get back the membership fee very quickly if you're buying bits and pieces! |
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Nice Photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/ace_mcgraw/
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pete7:19
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Post subject: RE: Beginner looking for help!
Posted: Nov 12, 2011 - 04:16 PM
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First post: Mar 17, 2007
Total posts: 538
Location: Cheshire
Status: Offline
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Welcome to SCUK.
I can't say much about dryslopes as I've never had to suffer one. I can say that snowboarding is awesome, so don't let the dryslope put you off if it's not what you expect, from what I've read and heard dryslope skills will give you a massive advantage when you get on the real stuff.
I didn't have a helmet when I started but got one for my second trip, it saved my ear from being sliced off by a rogue ski so I've worn one ever since and wouldn't hit a mountain without one now. A pair of impact shorts is a sound investment, or failing that stuff lots of foam down your pants, snow is hard on your backside so a dryslope will be harder. |
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HD
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Post subject: RE: Beginner looking for help!
Posted: Nov 12, 2011 - 06:28 PM
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First post: Nov 11, 2011
Total posts: 9
Status: Offline
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So dryslope it is then. Get the helmet and gloves seems the concensus?
And don't get anything else until I am sure?
All the advice is appreciated and glad you have taken time out, seems a nice forum!
So, board sizes. What should I be looking at as I think I would like the ability to turn well more than speed...?
And definately buy boots from a shop.
How much do second hand goggles go for then? Or should I just use them? They are Oakley Crowbar's so a decent goggle and they do lenses for them...
Money is gonna be tight though, so do you think I should rent a pair of boots for my first proper trip? I would like to take my own board though (if I am getting that 164) |
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warrmr
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Post subject: RE: Beginner looking for help!
Posted: Nov 12, 2011 - 08:00 PM
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First post: Nov 19, 2010
Total posts: 413
Status: Offline
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Personally I would learn to ride before spending any money on gear. If you want your own gear while learning get boots first and wait for a board. Once you are confident with your turns ect then buy a board.
I am a similar build to you size 10.5 boot and ride a NS evo 158, I think 164 may be to long for you but im not really an expert.
Goggles I got mine second hand for £20 but managed to crack the lens on my trip away and it cost me £30 for a new lens.
if anywhere will let you demo boards when you go away then you should take them up on that offer as you will get a feel for what you like in a board every one rides different and each board has an individual feel. |
_________________
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pete7:19
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Post subject: RE: Beginner looking for help!
Posted: Nov 12, 2011 - 08:34 PM
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First post: Mar 17, 2007
Total posts: 538
Location: Cheshire
Status: Offline
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Boots first. Sacrifice everything else and use your hard earned to get the right fitting boots, they're the most important component. Any rental board will be OK for a beginner but bad fitting boots will kill your feet and rentals are a poor lottery at best.
Board length and design depends on your weight, then the type of riding you prefer. The tech involved is remarkable. There's tons of info on the net but until you've actually got a feel for riding it's academia that's of limited use.
As a rough guide, I'm about 11.5 St and the first board I owned was a medium flex 160, my riding improved no end when I downsized to a stiffer flex 157. I gave the 160 to my son who was a 16 St 6'5" and it's been perfect for him. That 164 would probably be ideal in deep powder back country but you're not likely to be going there for a fair few weeks, by which time you'll have a much better idea what you want a board to enable you to do.
Goggles? I'd be tempted to go with what you've got, the Crowbar is sold as a snow goggle so it's probably just the lens that different. As long as it vents well it should be fine. |
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Branny
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Post subject: RE: Beginner looking for help!
Posted: Nov 12, 2011 - 08:37 PM
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First post: Oct 11, 2004
Total posts: 4672
Location: Is in the U freakin' K
Status: Offline
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HD
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Post subject: RE: Beginner looking for help!
Posted: Nov 12, 2011 - 08:37 PM
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First post: Nov 11, 2011
Total posts: 9
Status: Offline
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Okay, I'll pass on the board then, dont want to get into bad habits. Can probably get a cheapish one off here or eBay or even if that guy has another. Unless at the dry slope the board I get on best with is a 164.
Gonna just get another lens for my goooglays then.
Cheers for the help guys! |
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Branny
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Post subject: Re: RE: Beginner looking for help!
Posted: Nov 12, 2011 - 08:39 PM
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First post: Oct 11, 2004
Total posts: 4672
Location: Is in the U freakin' K
Status: Offline
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pete7:19
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Post subject: Re: RE: Beginner looking for help!
Posted: Nov 12, 2011 - 08:44 PM
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First post: Mar 17, 2007
Total posts: 538
Location: Cheshire
Status: Offline
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Branny wrote:
Oh...and no need for goggles on the dryslope or the indoor slopes for that matter..you'll look a complete tool 
Good point, I have seen this at Chillfactore. |
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HD
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Post subject: RE: Re: RE: Beginner looking for help!
Posted: Nov 12, 2011 - 09:49 PM
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First post: Nov 11, 2011
Total posts: 9
Status: Offline
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Noob season, I get it
Also, do you think I should save up for quite a while, then do some lessons over a week and then the following week go abroad?
Or do lessons when I can afford it then go abroad when I can afford it? |
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