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animal_freeride 
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Post subject: Riding straight & negotiating narrow pathways
 Posted: Jan 16, 2012 - 09:19 AM
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First post: Nov 06, 2011
Total posts: 31
Status: Offline
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Hi all,
I've just got back from an awesome week in St. Anton and my boarding has really progressed from last year. I am able to comfortably link turns on most runs, but the biggest problen I have is riding straight at speed & negotiating narrow pathways. I tend to bleed off the speed & stick to the same edge fearing the dreaded edge catch. I know that I need to very gently almost rock the board from one edge to the other for a shallow turn, but are there any other tips you can give please?
It is really frustrating as I would rather be faced with a black run than a relatively flat surface!
I'm off to Meribel in four weeks time & if I can nail this issue, I know this will take my boarding to the next level.
Please help!!! |
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snowbadger
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Post subject: RE: Riding straight & negotiating narrow pathways
Posted: Jan 16, 2012 - 09:49 AM
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First post: Jun 01, 2011
Total posts: 737
Location: Warwickshire
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ive found that i tend to switch from edge to edge whilst going along a flat/ narrow path. I really make sure my knees are bent and try to make sure my technique is a good as it can be e.g. not trying to turn by pushing my back foot out and skidding.
My biggest problem is speed.. I just lose all confidence once i get too fast. I clocked at 45kph on my hols last week which to me felt bloody fast and I knew I could have gone faster but i bottle it as I think if i catch an edge its gonna bloody hurt  |
_________________
Sno news is good news
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Nick7
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Post subject: RE: Riding straight & negotiating narrow pathways
Posted: Jan 16, 2012 - 10:33 AM
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First post: Sep 04, 2009
Total posts: 226
Location: Manchester
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Make sure everything is in line, no body twisting... and relax. In fact, relaxing is the key to it imo. When you are relaxed, your legs will absorb bumps and grooves in the snow better and it will all feel more stable.
If you do have to rock from edge to edge, or check your speed, dont worry about it. You are still relatively new to it by the sound of it, so dont put any pressure on yourself to be able to do things. Safety and enjoyment first.
Narrow paths? I do find speed is my best friend. Stating the obvious here, but commit and give people as wide a berth as poss... just remember, if there are people in front of you, they have right of way and it is you who has to check your speed and give way if necessary.
Hope this helps. |
_________________
Bill Hicks.
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jdavies1976
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Post subject: RE: Riding straight & negotiating narrow pathways
Posted: Jan 16, 2012 - 11:05 AM
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First post: Jan 21, 2011
Total posts: 260
Status: Offline
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I agree with Nick7. Best way to get down them is to relax and as you said just rock gently from one edge to the other not least because is you stay on one edge all the way it kills your legs after a while. After some practice you'll get the hang of knowing just how far you need to move to keep the board just on an edge but without leaning so far you start to turn and lose speed.
Just remember to expect anyone in front of you to do the unexpected and be ready to stand on the breaks if you need to! |
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Boots
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Post subject: RE: Riding straight & negotiating narrow pathways
Posted: Jan 16, 2012 - 11:34 AM
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First post: Feb 15, 2011
Total posts: 290
Location: Somewhere between the mountains and the sea.
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Try "flat basing'. I've read several posts on here about it and tried it for the first time last week in Les Arcs. Hard to describe the technique other than 'you know when you're doing it right' but it seems to be about relaxing, staying flexible & centred over the board. The difference on the long diagonal roads is amazing! Much more comfortable on the legs. Still have to watch those edges though!
I'm sure there are others on here who can give you a better description of the technique, but it was a revelation to me. |
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Tommymac
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Post subject: RE: Riding straight & negotiating narrow pathways
Posted: Jan 16, 2012 - 03:21 PM
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First post: Nov 23, 2010
Total posts: 243
Status: Offline
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More board time is all that is required. Confidence in your ability is all that is needed.
Nick hits the nail on the head with his advice.
I was in the same situation not that long ago now i feel pretty comfortable on narrow flats now. |
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BlueAnimal
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Post subject: Re: RE: Riding straight & negotiating narrow pathways
Posted: Jan 16, 2012 - 04:33 PM
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First post: Nov 24, 2011
Total posts: 54
Location: Hampshire
Status: Offline
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snowbadger wrote:
My biggest problem is speed.. I just lose all confidence once i get too fast. I clocked at 45kph on my hols last week which to me felt bloody fast and I knew I could have gone faster but i bottle it as I think if i catch an edge its gonna bloody hurt
Same as me to be honest! I actually caught an edge whilst on a rental board and it has knocked my confidence. When i got my new board felt more stable but still had that little thought in my head "this is gna hurt if you catch an edge again" 
The other thing is that i believe my feet are too close together. A mate is going to check over my stance for me. Should get more control/stability then 
Nick7 wrote:
Make sure everything is in line, no body twisting... and relax. In fact, relaxing is the key to it imo. When you are relaxed, your legs will absorb bumps and grooves in the snow better and it will all feel more stable.
If you do have to rock from edge to edge, or check your speed, dont worry about it. You are still relatively new to it by the sound of it, so dont put any pressure on yourself to be able to do things. Safety and enjoyment first.
Sounds like good advice there Nick Will give it a go! |
_________________
K2 Raygun 156 | K2 Formula | Vans Aura
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higgeh
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Post subject:
Posted: Jan 16, 2012 - 05:41 PM
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First post: Dec 08, 2010
Total posts: 55
Status: Offline
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i used to have loads of problems with this but it is really all down to practice. relax when you are on the flat, try and distribute your weight evenly and when riding flat think only about riding flat (i only say this because i saw a guy doing butters on the flat last week in risoul and he face planted)
you will get the hang of it eventually but unfortunately its alot easier to do on rocker or directional boards.
Once you can do it however.......... |
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dewei
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Post subject:
Posted: Jan 16, 2012 - 06:17 PM
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First post: Apr 20, 2011
Total posts: 252
Location: Brum
Status: Offline
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I agree with Nick7 and Boots.
I was also at Les Arcs flatbasing along the long tree-lined pistes.
Flatbasing, relaxed, bent knees, balanced stance are the ingredients.
It can be very difficult to relax if you feel anxious or tired.
Here's a little tip from my instructor. While riding flatbased, flex and extend your knees every so often (almost as you're going to pop, moving your bum up and down, retaining your upper body upright, shoulders in line with the board). It certainly made me feel more balanced, relaxed and comfortable on the board. You know that it is working when you feel every irregularity on the piste (bumps, ruts) being transmitted through the board to your feet. |
_________________
Piste - park - pipe - pow, I love it all.
Starting snowboarding?afterbang
Looking for Tamworth shredding mates?Midland Shredderz
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Boots
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Post subject:
Posted: Jan 16, 2012 - 06:25 PM
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First post: Feb 15, 2011
Total posts: 290
Location: Somewhere between the mountains and the sea.
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dewei wrote:
You know that it is working when you feel every irregularity on the piste (bumps, ruts) being transmitted through the board to your feet.
Noticed that.
I think the condition of the pistes last week helped. No icy patches, firm but with a soft top. Luvverly! |
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snowbadger
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Post subject: Re: RE: Riding straight & negotiating narrow pathways
Posted: Jan 16, 2012 - 09:25 PM
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First post: Jun 01, 2011
Total posts: 737
Location: Warwickshire
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BlueAnimal wrote:
snowbadger wrote:
My biggest problem is speed.. I just lose all confidence once i get too fast. I clocked at 45kph on my hols last week which to me felt bloody fast and I knew I could have gone faster but i bottle it as I think if i catch an edge its gonna bloody hurt
Same as me to be honest! I actually caught an edge whilst on a rental board and it has knocked my confidence. When i got my new board felt more stable but still had that little thought in my head "this is gna hurt if you catch an edge again"
The other thing is that i believe my feet are too close together. A mate is going to check over my stance for me. Should get more control/stability then
Nick7 wrote:
Make sure everything is in line, no body twisting... and relax. In fact, relaxing is the key to it imo. When you are relaxed, your legs will absorb bumps and grooves in the snow better and it will all feel more stable.
If you do have to rock from edge to edge, or check your speed, dont worry about it. You are still relatively new to it by the sound of it, so dont put any pressure on yourself to be able to do things. Safety and enjoyment first.
Sounds like good advice there Nick Will give it a go!
check out this maverix vid if you want some info regarding stance setups.
http://www.maverix.org/news.php?newsid=38 |
_________________
Sno news is good news
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BlueAnimal
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Post subject: Re: RE: Riding straight & negotiating narrow pathways
Posted: Jan 16, 2012 - 10:39 PM
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First post: Nov 24, 2011
Total posts: 54
Location: Hampshire
Status: Offline
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snowbadger wrote:
BlueAnimal wrote:
snowbadger wrote:
My biggest problem is speed.. I just lose all confidence once i get too fast. I clocked at 45kph on my hols last week which to me felt bloody fast and I knew I could have gone faster but i bottle it as I think if i catch an edge its gonna bloody hurt
Same as me to be honest! I actually caught an edge whilst on a rental board and it has knocked my confidence. When i got my new board felt more stable but still had that little thought in my head "this is gna hurt if you catch an edge again"
The other thing is that i believe my feet are too close together. A mate is going to check over my stance for me. Should get more control/stability then
Nick7 wrote:
Make sure everything is in line, no body twisting... and relax. In fact, relaxing is the key to it imo. When you are relaxed, your legs will absorb bumps and grooves in the snow better and it will all feel more stable.
If you do have to rock from edge to edge, or check your speed, dont worry about it. You are still relatively new to it by the sound of it, so dont put any pressure on yourself to be able to do things. Safety and enjoyment first.
Sounds like good advice there Nick Will give it a go!
check out this maverix vid if you want some info regarding stance setups.
http://www.maverix.org/news.php?newsid=38
Cheers for that |
_________________
K2 Raygun 156 | K2 Formula | Vans Aura
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dewei
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Post subject:
Posted: Jan 16, 2012 - 11:48 PM
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First post: Apr 20, 2011
Total posts: 252
Location: Brum
Status: Offline
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Boots wrote:
dewei wrote:
You know that it is working when you feel every irregularity on the piste (bumps, ruts) being transmitted through the board to your feet.
Noticed that.
I think the condition of the pistes last week helped. No icy patches, firm but with a soft top. Luvverly!
Did you get to try the deep pow off-piste? It was heavenly!  |
_________________
Piste - park - pipe - pow, I love it all.
Starting snowboarding?afterbang
Looking for Tamworth shredding mates?Midland Shredderz
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sector9
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Post subject: Re: RE: Riding straight & negotiating narrow pathways
Posted: Jan 17, 2012 - 01:44 PM
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First post: Nov 18, 2010
Total posts: 116
Status: Offline
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Tommymac wrote:
More board time is all that is required. Confidence in your ability is all that is needed.
This. We all go through the stage of being terrified of catching an edge. But afterwards it feels natural going flat. |
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Boots
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Post subject:
Posted: Jan 17, 2012 - 02:52 PM
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First post: Feb 15, 2011
Total posts: 290
Location: Somewhere between the mountains and the sea.
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dewei wrote:
Boots wrote:
dewei wrote:
You know that it is working when you feel every irregularity on the piste (bumps, ruts) being transmitted through the board to your feet.
Noticed that.
I think the condition of the pistes last week helped. No icy patches, firm but with a soft top. Luvverly!
Did you get to try the deep pow off-piste? It was heavenly!
Yes. It was my first time! (other than riding parallel to the piste in a foot or so of weeks old snow).
Had some great runs around the Arandeliers red from the top of the Varet gondola. I've been surfing for 25 years and it was a similar feeling. Nice to get on the back foot for a change!
I'm back out for a week on Saturday (La Norma) and there's more snow forecast before the weekend!! I can see myself getting used to this. |
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