First Day on a Snowboard

Stroh · Post by **Stroh** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 10:47 pm

Quote Tighe
"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."

Tighe, be carefull rideing without your bindings locked. you don't want one foot to come out in the air or draging on the ground. you could blow out a knee very easily. I am getting rid of my flows because they sometimes open up on backwards crashes.

Eric is rideing with normal bindings with out highbacks. he is still locked into his bindings.

No snowboard bindings are made to be able to relese.... there is a reson for this.

just my two cents

Jon

SeaBoo · Post by **SeaBoo** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 11:17 pm

Hi Steve,
I'm not familiar with Venture but it sounds like it would be something to check into. I'm looking to buy something used or a really super spring sale. When I rented for the lesson they put me on a 161cm board. When I put my stats in on a website for fit they came up with 154 to about 161.
From the feel of the board the first time I could go shorter (maybe 156)but not longer. Is there a preference for kiting or is it just personal feel? I'm 5'9...size 9 boots. As for weight...well hey I just can't put that number out there on a public board...Lets just say I'm not a wraith

Feel free to send me some info on the Helixs.
Thanks!
Nora

steveb · Post by **steveb** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 8:59 am

Nora. 5.9 size 9 would be a 155/156 with a 24 cm waist. However if you're 200lbs I'd push you onto a 158 with a stiffer board. 130 lbs you could go shorter ( 152) with a flexier board. Length determines the amount of edge available to offset your leverage and weight. So somewhere in there.
For kiting a twin tips a good idea, flex to weight ratio is very important as too stiff a board will bounce your edge out of the snow and make it hard to hold down.

SeaBoo · Post by **SeaBoo** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 9:10 am

Thanks Steve,
I've got a good idea what to look for in a board.
Nora

Tighe · Post by **Tighe** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 9:18 am

Ok maybe I adjusted too many things at once. Not sure what added to the better ride.

I widened my stance, centered it, and loosened the cables all the way up as well as I never flipped up the lever on the back, just flipped up the back. It gave a lot more freedom of movement, which I really liked and seemed easier on the knees. I did have one slid out on a jump/crash. Essentially what I want is the Flow front binding and just a bungie cord behind the heel. Do they make a low back for the Flows? Should I go back to my step ins? Seems like they would give more upper movement but less lower movement. Maybe what I want is step ins with a little bit of flex in the connection.

Steve, I may want to check out those boards. They sound sweet. Right now I'm just dialing in the stance/boots/binding thing.

Still think I'll use skis on hardpack.

Professor Robae' · Post by **Professor Robae'** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 9:19 am

Here's a question: I have an old GS 170 cm directional board. It has a decent set of Burton high-back bindings. The board is relatively skinny and the edges are quite strait. The back of the board is pretty flaired out so riding it backwards may be trouble.

Can I make this board work? Is riding toe-side in this deep snow even doable? I'm going to give it a try it today but any pointers are appreciated!

JRN · Post by **JRN** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 9:28 am

I really like the concept of snowboards, but my board skills are abominable. I tried hard boots with my switchblade board. Todd H. recommended a narrow stance and I made some short runs on a light wind day. Went out once on hard pack and got trashed. Got out my snow-board on Wed, but was getting lofted and tea-bagged down wind with a board on my feet...truly exciting. I guess I'll have to keep trying until I nail it. Maybe a clinic is in order since so many are having issues with their boards. Anyone willing? Jim N. (stranded in Duluth)

Tom L · Post by **Tom L** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 10:02 am

I think Jerry Sandell uses those low step in bindings. He might have some insight on going that route. There is a long thread over at KF/snow about using low or high bindings. Lots of info in that thread.

Here it is: http://www.kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=2322846

Jimmychunga · Post by **Jimmychunga** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 10:13 am

Jim N. (stranded in Duluth)

Saw 64mph gusts on the weather forecast last night up in Duluth!

I'm new to kiting and have been adjusting my board in a few minor ways. I don't know how wide the pros go. Don't think anyone has posted roughly what their settings are at. If someone knows please post.

I just don't want to mess up my knees and think it is best to keep them in closer. I'm just thinking of the forces involved.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6Ghupxbj9g

Having an injury like that might affect how comfortable I am sitting at my desk from 8-5. Couldn't have that!

steveb · Post by **steveb** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 10:49 am

Tighe . What size feet do you have? With Venture upto size 9 ride a narrow(24cm waist). Upto 11 a medium(26cm), above a wide (28cm)
I don't remember you having super sized feet so I'm guessing size 11.
Demos availlable are a 158 and a 163 medium.
New, they still have one 163m and for bigger feet a 164 wide. Demo stock there are no wides left. I'm guessing you're about 190lbs so either the 58 or 63 would work. You mostly ride fast so I'd probably push you to the 63 as swing weight won't bother you too much.
If you want one don't hang around as they go fast. Give me a call @home and I'll tell you the proform good guy pricing.

steveb · Post by **steveb** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 11:03 am

Sorry I forgot the bindings question. Flow does not make a low highback. I have found the freestyle straps work best for kiting as they don't hold the boot as tight. You have more lateral movement than with the freeride straps.
A good way to setup the straps is set the highback not quite verticle. Step into the bindings with your boots on and pull up the highback. Push the strap down onto the boot, but don't push the higher ,near the ankle ratchets tight, just snug.Then push the toe ratchets as tight as you can.Lock the ratchets and step out of the bindings. Now push the toe rachets down 1 to 2 clicks more on each side and lock them.
I have found this setup works well for me. What you'll find is the toe is locked and stops you hurting your feet by pulling up really hard on the inside of your boots hurting or bruising your toes. But you should have 1 to 2 inches of lateral movement around your ankles so you can find that comfy position.
Riding set you bindings about shoulder width plus one inch.Too narrow a stance allows the tip and tail of the board to over flex, ( all your weights in the middle of the board) bending the board into a bananna shape, this reduces the amount of effective edge in the snow.I set my binding angles +/-15 degrees but this is just taste. A good tip is when you have a lot of power push your knees out, this bends the board the opposite of a narrow stance and stiffens the board lengthening the effective edge.

JRN · Post by **JRN** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 1:01 pm

I tried hard ski boots on my switchblade board. Worked good on ice with a narrow stance, but not on hard pack. Tried my snowboard on Tues, but got lofted and tea-bagged down wind. Way too exciting!! Maybe if Steve or Nate would be willing to hold a snowboard clinic, I'd be willing to pay!!
Jim N.(world's cheapest man) P.S: Duluth was otherworldly. White out down to 1 car length visibility or less & 50 t0 60 mph gusts. I guess waves on Superior stacked up huge drifts on Park Pt. They closed the lift bridge at dusk.

steveb · Post by **steveb** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 4:26 pm

Jim, do you want a clinic for snowkiting with a board or just to improve your snowboarding skills?. I'd happily help with either but don't know if I'm qualified for the kiting aspect. Board riding skills yeah, definitely qualified and I would help you in a heart beat.
We could just get together at Trollhaugen on a no wind day and I could tune your skills in no time.

Denis · Post by **Denis** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 10:01 pm

Stroh says:

Tighe, be carefull rideing without your bindings locked. you don't want one foot to come out in the air or draging on the ground. you could blow out a knee very easily.

I'll have to agree with Stroh here, Tighe. The reason is that when you huck those huge KGB's, you'll loose the board in the middle of the handle pass.

Seriously though, you don't want your feet to come off the board. It's very different from water kiting.

Personally, I ride Burton step-in clickers on one board and Flow on another one. I like 'em both. My stance is kinda narrow (shoulder width) and set to -7/+7. My prefered ride is a Venture Helix which is a perfect twin tip with an 8.5m sidecut (I think). That's kind of a lot to kite with, but works for me.

Denis

Professor Robae' · Post by **Professor Robae'** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 8:10 am

I tried my 170 cm directional board and sure enough she did not like to be ridden backwards! Trying to ride toeside in that thick snow was not an option either. Luckily Nathan lent me one of his boards and with a little help and instruction from Scott Chapman I was up and running. A very cool and different sensation. I loved it.

It's amazing how many times this sport makes you feel like a total rookie! That's half the fun I suppose.

LAKAWA

First Day on a Snowboard

Boarding

Sucky Snowboard Skills