First Day on a Snowboard

Tighe · Post by **Tighe** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 10:10 pm

Ok I see what you guys love so much about a snowboard. I've only used a board for a short session in the past and it was so painful it didn't last more than 10 minutes. Tom F. helped me tweak my stance a bit and what a difference it made. It was just like riding the water. Obviously the nice thick layer of snow we've gotten lately really helps.

I did find it wasn't as easy to get big air. It may have been that the snow was a bit slow today. I found I couldn't really go super fast and when I cranked to windward to load the edge it carved so quickly I pretty much stopped. Any suggestions.

It's great to have a couple different rides. I still think I'll prefer skis on hardpack but who knows.

thenamessean04 · Post by **thenamessean04** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 10:12 pm

What angle are your bindings at now?

Tom L · Post by **Tom L** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 10:22 pm

Tighe,

I had the exact same experience. I set myself up with a snowboard this year, mainly to use the Switchblade. But I have had problems getting my stance right. I snowboarded in the mountains for 7 days this Christmas & loved it, after more than 40 years of skiing. But I couldn't quit get it together on the snowboard when kiting. My stance felt really uncomfortable. My bindings were set at 15° on both feet. I guess it takes awhile to dial in the different techniques. I was on pack, and I think the deep snow would give you more of that water/surf feeling.

drknap · Post by **drknap** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 10:24 pm

Sweet Tighe.
I've never figured out why so many people ride skis when the snowboard is so much more similiar to that on water-especially in the powder were it is darn near identical. Agree that it is more difficult to learn on though. I think a subtle change in feet angle or feet spacing makes a noticable difference. I wouldn't be surpised if your legs fatigue easily at first until you build up the stamina with the different stance. I can direct you to a sweet kiteboard. J/K

Tighe · Post by **Tighe** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:21 pm

It was pretty ducked and pretty wide. Not sure what the angle is. I'll check. The other thing I did was I loosened the cables on my Flow bindings and then just flipped them up and didn't lock them over. I think Eric P was the one suggesting this. The bottom of the binding seem to hold the feet fine and I just didn't feel I needed my leg so locked in.

Tom keep with it. It's nice in this new snow we have.

drknap · Post by **drknap** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 12:41 am

Tighe
try placing your snowboard next to your favorite water board and set up the bindings angle and stance width the same.

ice_kmauve · Post by **ice_kmauve** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 8:16 am

Tighe I'm glad you tried the board. I'm new to it this year as well. To my way of thinking, it's just nice to have both options. I skied last winter with the kite because that's what I knew. However, my knees do not like the twisting force with the skis and being at a side angle to the kite restricts arm throw which is in short supply regardless. On the other hand, skis are great for ice and for other purposes too. My experience with the board has been, it feels cool, and natural, and I like how it naturally places one's own weight to oppose the force of the kite. However, your butt does get spanked. Also, knees are more vulnerable too. Let's just say, the snowboard helps you appreciate powder all the more.

BTW-- Kurt, who won the board at the crossing raffle?

Also, Kurt, my 16 has the LE repaired, a new bladder installed, new pulleys put on, rear line bridle modded, and It's ready to rumble!

bmr · Post by **bmr** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 9:02 am

Tighe,

It depends on what type of riding you plan on doing. I use my 182 for cruising and speed runs so the bindings are set about 10deg (toes facing the nose) For freestyle and tech-type riding I have my 158, with the bindings set at 0deg (feet perpendicular to either edge of the board).

For both stances the bindings are set so there's a little more deck showing towards the nose...it helps to glide over deep snow or fresh powder....which I can't wait to hit this weekend!!!

Anyways.....that's my two cents.

~bmr

Denis · Post by **Denis** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 10:22 am

Also, Kurt, my 16 has the LE repaired, a new bladder installed, new pulleys put on, rear line bridle modded, and It's ready to rumble!

Wow! That's one pimped out ride.

Tighe, to jump on a snowboard, I don't typically carve upwind. As I load the kite I just lean back on my board. If I look at the traces I leave on the snow, I see a line and a big push of snow at the end, but not really a carve upwind cause during that time the kite's pulling a lot harder.

Denis

Travii · Post by **Travii** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 10:36 am

Tighe,

I highly recommend symmetry. Set yourself up with both toes pointing apart 5 to 15 degrees from straigt ahead. (I use 12 degrees). You can get an idea when you stand on the floor with your feet at shoulder's width (they will be pointed outward slightly - use that angle). Also, set your bindings so that they are centered on the board from tip to tip. Most boards have a directional build to them, so you will have to measure to see which holes you need to use. To determine stance width, stand on the floor with your feet about a shoulder's width apart.

I personally feel that kite/snowboarding should be 100% non-directional. Symmetry is your friend. Remove all directional bias.

When you try to jump, do an ollie. This uses the flex of the board as a spring to fling you upward. Seems to work for me, but I am new to jumping, so there may be better methods.

Travis

Tighe · Post by **Tighe** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 10:50 am

wow lots of great comments and advice, may need to move this to Knowledge. Can't wait to dial the board in more and more. At some point the equipment may be my hinderance since I picked it up at a pawn shop complete with boots for $95.

We may be getting some bottomless powder sessions over the next few days

thanks again for all the insight.

Coach · Post by **Coach** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 12:06 pm

Welcome to the dark-side.

-Coach

shera · Post by **shera** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 1:03 pm

Tighe-
Isn't it just a blast on a board?

For all those board riders out there, I was wondering what the key is to getting a good edge. More pressure on the front foot or the back foot? Lean more? My trail behind my board looks more like I am skidding along on my edge and not edging hard. Does this indicate that I am cutting up wind too much? Any suggestions?

Leah

SCOTT RIDOUT · Post by **SCOTT RIDOUT** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 1:17 pm

You skidding out on your edge can be a couple or many things, one could be your leaning back to much and then hitting ice under the snow and then if your edges are not sharp the board will slide out. I had all my boards tuned and sharpened this year and it made a world of difference as far as keeping and edge. REI in Maple Grove did my boardwork and they did an awesome job on them, especially the edges, I didn't even need a switchblade this year in the beginning because they did such a good job on my edges! If you lean back to far to hard your going to slide out, there is a fine line but once you findit it's paradise! When you get into the deeper snow just lean back a litle more on your back leg and it will bring the front of the board up and make riding the fluff easier. Also if your jumping already, on your landings try and land a little more on the back leg this will keep your board from diving under the deep stuff which can bog you down quickly and you could do a faceplant, it really is almost like water riding except a little less forgiving when you fall. I hope this helps, I don't like to tech out to much because there's usually not that much to tech out on, most of this is pretty straight forward and common sense, just get out and try a few things and whatever works the best for you thats what you should use or do, pretty simple.

SeaBoo · Post by **SeaBoo** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 3:10 pm

I have a question about snowboarding. I'm new to kiting and was really interested in using a snowboard with kiting so I took a snowboard lesson at Welch. Just loved it! Since it's all new to me I was wondering if there is a difference in bindings that work better with kiting? Also checking the lengths of boards there seems to be a wide range of lengths for my height. Would longer or shorter be better? Thanks for any help!
Nora

kiteboymn · Post by **kiteboymn** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 3:37 pm

I think everyone should atleast experiment with a wide ass stance. Who knows, there could be a reason that every top level pro rider (water and snow) rides wide. Not the case for Switchblade riding though. Don't duck too much either, it's really hard on the knees.
Happy shreddin, Todd (dedicated to the dark side since 87)

Ryan G · Post by **Ryan G** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 4:40 pm

One big thing with riding on lakes that I found is that you want a nice cheap board. I learned this after hitting my first ice hole and having the ice cut a hole in the bottom. Since a kite is pulling you and you ride with the board on edge, the extra money is not worth it to me. Just make sure that the edge of the board is as staight as possible. To me, having a progressive side cut like a freeride board is not a good thing. The edge is not like a skate (straight) and scrapes the ice instead of cutting into it. As for stance, I like having the back of my foot right at the edge of the board. It feels more natural rocking back on your heel and not having to squat all of the time. Otherwise my stance is the same as going downhill.

Hunter Welles · Post by **Hunter Welles** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 5:12 pm

What I ride is a Rome Machine 154. I have a good deal going with rome that allows me to get their boards cheap. I ride at a 15/-15 stance, with my bindings as wide as they go. Also, I always look for a true twin when buying a board, makes it the same for riding either direction. My board has held up amazingly well compared to my previous boards, the base has very little nicks or scratches, and I have been riding this board for the last 2 years for both kiting and snowboarding in some pretty hairy places. One last thing I look for in a board is having it moderately stiff. Some people think that you want an extremely stiff board, but that doesnt give you really any pop off of kickers or just off flat ground.

WildBill · Post by **WildBill** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 8:47 pm

Well for some reason I was thinking about this post while floating in the powder tonight. I ride 30 degree out duck, snowboarding, kiting and wakeboarding; it's somewhat a personal preference and what your used to. I used to teach snowboarding and for woman they usually ride better with their back foot facing the front just a bit. As I was floating away I did note that I don't have to lean back kiting as I do snowboarding in powder. The kite keeps pulling you up so you don't have to do the work and get a more sore rear leg. I also prefer a center stance kiting or snowboarding even though most snowboard/riders have it 20cm to the rear. Thus I also keep mostly even weight for both sports although it seemed tonight I was slightly more on the rear foot. I agree with the stiffer straighter board comments previously posted. A better base (sintered) VS the softer extruded base will take the dings/scratches a lot better; but usually costs more. Hit Sports Authority now/soon and you can probably find some real good deals. I prefer clicker bindings for the midwest hill usage. They work great except for packing snow so they gave me a little trouble tonight. What's really nice is the hands free entry. You loose a little stability with the clickers but I love the ankle flexibility I get for regular snowboarding. I haven't tried a iceblade yet but will make one and put it on a old board in my spare time. Don't need it now that's for sure. I prefer skiis on ice for now until maybe the iceblade convinces me otherwise.

I wonder how JRN/Jim is liking those hard boot carving bindings and board I traded him for big pink?? Seems like it would be a bit too stiff but I really can't say as I haven't tried that. I think I remember Jerry S. telling me he tried it and it wasn't too hot.

Ride On!

steveb · Post by **steveb** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 10:04 pm

Nora...it's hard to answer about board size and type etc. unless we know a little more about you, How tall are you, what do you weigh and what size feet do you have.

Footnote...Venture are selling off their 06 demo fleet, slightly used boards. If any one wants a Helix let me know. I think most the guys riding them are happy with their performance as a kite board.If not please chime in and say so.