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Rhettzky · 09-20-2007, 09:56 AM

I'm with Arsenal. Here are a few tips I picked up:

Gear

As a beginner just buy a really nice pair of stiff boots with good support and that are comfortable. People generally find it easier to learn how to carve well with good ankle support. Some guys prefer to have lots of flexibility depending on the type of riding they do but you can worry about that down the road. Try renting a board for the first little bit and mix up the board length until you find something that feels comfortable. Once you do just buy a cheapo board from sport chek (around $100). I say this because you will find yourself grinding sideways over a lot of buried obstacles that can beat the crap out of your edges. Once you get a season or two under your belt then you will have a better feel for the sport and can upgrade your gear at your leisure.

Foot Position

Make sure you bring a screwdriver to the hill your first few times so that you can adjust your bindings. Don't go overboard and change it every run or you will have trouble finding a stance that is comfortable. If your right foot is dominant than I'd recommend trying to ride left foot forward (standard) for the first bit. Also, start with the bindings in the middle position and if you find that it's a little uncomfortable to bend your knee's then move them apart. Finally, try angling your front foot forward at about 12-16 degree's and leave your back foot straight. Once you get it down then put your back foot at a negative angle to make riding backwards easier (minus 4-6 degrees worked for me).

Clothes

Warm clothes, layers, yadda-yadda all the stuff you're used to from living in calgary. But make sure you have a good pair of socks. Something that won't hold the sweat in and keeps your feet warm. Boarding with frozen feet sucks a$$ and you'll be stopping at the lodge every hour to warm up your feet. Also, make sure all your gear is water proof because you will be spending ample time on your butt and if you try to get by with something like long-johns and sweats under a pair of blue jeans then you will be dragging about ten pounds of ice pack on your lower half.

Misc

-a decent pair of goggles that doesn't fog up is key.
-a helmet is definitely a must.
-like I said, a mini tool kit helps a bunch.
-a good leash that is easy to take on and off. (I found the keyring under your lace with a hook clasp ropped to your boot worked better than the ones that go around your leg)
-a decent stomp pad makes getting off the chairs a whole lot easier.
-once you buy a board have the edge ground at the hill or a ski shop. This makes it a whole lot harder to catch an edge. Later you'll want it sharper but for now dumb it down.

Some people may disagree with some of the above but I've been boarding for over seven years now and these are some of the things I found made the learning process easier.

09-20-2007, 09:56 AM	#26
Rhettzky Franchise Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Section 222 Exp:	I'm with Arsenal. Here are a few tips I picked up: Gear As a beginner just buy a really nice pair of stiff boots with good support and that are comfortable. People generally find it easier to learn how to carve well with good ankle support. Some guys prefer to have lots of flexibility depending on the type of riding they do but you can worry about that down the road. Try renting a board for the first little bit and mix up the board length until you find something that feels comfortable. Once you do just buy a cheapo board from sport chek (around $100). I say this because you will find yourself grinding sideways over a lot of buried obstacles that can beat the crap out of your edges. Once you get a season or two under your belt then you will have a better feel for the sport and can upgrade your gear at your leisure. Foot Position Make sure you bring a screwdriver to the hill your first few times so that you can adjust your bindings. Don't go overboard and change it every run or you will have trouble finding a stance that is comfortable. If your right foot is dominant than I'd recommend trying to ride left foot forward (standard) for the first bit. Also, start with the bindings in the middle position and if you find that it's a little uncomfortable to bend your knee's then move them apart. Finally, try angling your front foot forward at about 12-16 degree's and leave your back foot straight. Once you get it down then put your back foot at a negative angle to make riding backwards easier (minus 4-6 degrees worked for me). Clothes Warm clothes, layers, yadda-yadda all the stuff you're used to from living in calgary. But make sure you have a good pair of socks. Something that won't hold the sweat in and keeps your feet warm. Boarding with frozen feet sucks a$$ and you'll be stopping at the lodge every hour to warm up your feet. Also, make sure all your gear is water proof because you will be spending ample time on your butt and if you try to get by with something like long-johns and sweats under a pair of blue jeans then you will be dragging about ten pounds of ice pack on your lower half. Misc -a decent pair of goggles that doesn't fog up is key. -a helmet is definitely a must. -like I said, a mini tool kit helps a bunch. -a good leash that is easy to take on and off. (I found the keyring under your lace with a hook clasp ropped to your boot worked better than the ones that go around your leg) -a decent stomp pad makes getting off the chairs a whole lot easier. -once you buy a board have the edge ground at the hill or a ski shop. This makes it a whole lot harder to catch an edge. Later you'll want it sharper but for now dumb it down. Some people may disagree with some of the above but I've been boarding for over seven years now and these are some of the things I found made the learning process easier. __________________ Go Flames Go!!