any snowboarders on here?
Discussion
Haven't been boarding for a few years (work/family) but hoping to get back out for a holiday this year. Most of my mates ski so I'm usually the only boarder in the group, no big deal, each to their own and we all have a laugh together.
Still got my old Timeless and Kink and a set of 32's. Used to use Flows but after I snapped one in two when I was off-piste I gave up with them and switched to traditional ratchet bindings.
Agree with the comments above that if your technique is decent you shouldn't be catching edges and face-planting or even worried about it (although god knows what my technique will be like after four years out!!)
Still got my old Timeless and Kink and a set of 32's. Used to use Flows but after I snapped one in two when I was off-piste I gave up with them and switched to traditional ratchet bindings.
Agree with the comments above that if your technique is decent you shouldn't be catching edges and face-planting or even worried about it (although god knows what my technique will be like after four years out!!)
Although when people say they've been skiing/boarding for ten years what most of them mean is they've done ten weeks in ten years!
Once you've learnt, you don't forget. I still go & do the nursery slopes a couple of times on the first morning, just to get my eye in before heading off for the lifts. Doesn't hurt. Usually,
Once you've learnt, you don't forget. I still go & do the nursery slopes a couple of times on the first morning, just to get my eye in before heading off for the lifts. Doesn't hurt. Usually,
and my 'poor man's heli'…
pidsy said:
presumably the hire boards/bindings are set up for a broader stance etc rather than having my own kit which could be fitted properly to me ('i'm short so need them closer together).
The chap I do a lot of riding with, Neil McNab, encourages a very wide stance. It's a killer on the legs but it gives you much more control over the contact points and improves your riding no end. Most people prefer a lazy stance, but if you're already in the habit of taking a wide stance I'd be in no rush to change. The first thing McNab does with a new board is drill a few more holes at each end for his bindings. For what it's worth he also captained Team GB and coaches some of the current riders. He does know his stuff.
Well, finished all the training i needed yo be allowed on the big slope alone. Took 3 lessons so quite happy with that, going to have a few sessions on my own just to practice what i have learnt already then back in to tuition to learn some more advanced stuff.
Took a trip to ellis brigham in covent garden to look at kit - some very nice shiny yhings in there! Only thing that stopped me from parting with a lump of cash was the boots i wanted weren't in my size.
Took a trip to ellis brigham in covent garden to look at kit - some very nice shiny yhings in there! Only thing that stopped me from parting with a lump of cash was the boots i wanted weren't in my size.
To add to this, I've just come back from St Anton where I enjoyed my second boarding trip. While no expert, I've spent the week boarding reds and blacks with a bit of of piste and I'm really starting to get my self together with it. Anyway, a few points to add:
1. Catching an edge is all down to technique or a lack of it, however, you can get round this with your type of board. My first trip was on a Burton Canyon which was a 167cm board and way too long, whereas my new board is a K2 Raygun at 160cm which was a whole load easier. Moving from a cambered board to a rocker/flat setup also helps a lot. Last year I caught edges a lot, this year I only caught an edge twice in the whole week and held the board both times.
2. Boarding is entirely about confidence, as such boots are pretty essential but, personally, I'd always want my own board and bindings as well. As a starter you don't need the best and finest, a good set of bindings and a board can be done for sub £400. You can then tinker with the binding angles and have something that you know and trust.
3. The whole Boarders vs Skiers thing, just ignore it. You get some utter t
ts on both formats but the real issue appears to be that neither thinks of the other. Boarders stop in the centre of the slopes, while this week I've had so many skiers cutting across me or passing me then stopping right in front of me on a flat. It's annoying but don't let it get to you.
1. Catching an edge is all down to technique or a lack of it, however, you can get round this with your type of board. My first trip was on a Burton Canyon which was a 167cm board and way too long, whereas my new board is a K2 Raygun at 160cm which was a whole load easier. Moving from a cambered board to a rocker/flat setup also helps a lot. Last year I caught edges a lot, this year I only caught an edge twice in the whole week and held the board both times.
2. Boarding is entirely about confidence, as such boots are pretty essential but, personally, I'd always want my own board and bindings as well. As a starter you don't need the best and finest, a good set of bindings and a board can be done for sub £400. You can then tinker with the binding angles and have something that you know and trust.
3. The whole Boarders vs Skiers thing, just ignore it. You get some utter t
ts on both formats but the real issue appears to be that neither thinks of the other. Boarders stop in the centre of the slopes, while this week I've had so many skiers cutting across me or passing me then stopping right in front of me on a flat. It's annoying but don't let it get to you.My rig
K2 Raygun. Saw about a million people riding one this season. Predictable, vice free and a genuine do anything board with a real spring in it's step. Goodwood award winner and under £250.
Burton Prophecy bindings. Loads of adjustment and good feel. Only used hire bindings previously but these are a world appart. Were a bit pricey though.
ThirtyTwos Lashed boots. Decent boots, feck all grip though which was a pain off piste and coming home after a few apres beers.
K2 Raygun. Saw about a million people riding one this season. Predictable, vice free and a genuine do anything board with a real spring in it's step. Goodwood award winner and under £250.
Burton Prophecy bindings. Loads of adjustment and good feel. Only used hire bindings previously but these are a world appart. Were a bit pricey though.
ThirtyTwos Lashed boots. Decent boots, feck all grip though which was a pain off piste and coming home after a few apres beers.
Ive been snowboarding for 22 years now, started out on an asymetric burton with ski boots ( flipping horrible)
and currently have these....
this is a repro of a spoon that I had in about 1992 - Fantastic board at the time, not as good as I remember!
160 great for bombing around fast on
great all rounder
Ive always had my own kit preferring not to rely too much on whats at the resort. Plus its nice to choose.
and currently have these....
this is a repro of a spoon that I had in about 1992 - Fantastic board at the time, not as good as I remember! 160 great for bombing around fast on great all rounderIve always had my own kit preferring not to rely too much on whats at the resort. Plus its nice to choose.
pidsy said:
Ive been ski-ing for years but finally took the plunge and had my first snowboarding lesson at Hemel snow centre last night -
and i loved it!
going again next week to hopefully finish the basics and be allowed on the big slope.
is it worth getting a pair of boots for myself even if i'm only going to be a recreational boarder?
it makes sense but the hire boots seemed fit for purpose.
also, should i consider getting a board and bindings - presumably the hire boards/bindings are set up for a broader stance etc rather than having my own kit which could be fitted properly to me ('i'm short so need them closer together).
ebay has lots of kit for reasonable money and snow and rock has vastly more expensive kit.
any pointers or advice would be greatly recieved.
think i may have found me a new hobby!
So, Pidsy (the OP),and i loved it!
going again next week to hopefully finish the basics and be allowed on the big slope.
is it worth getting a pair of boots for myself even if i'm only going to be a recreational boarder?
it makes sense but the hire boots seemed fit for purpose.
also, should i consider getting a board and bindings - presumably the hire boards/bindings are set up for a broader stance etc rather than having my own kit which could be fitted properly to me ('i'm short so need them closer together).
ebay has lots of kit for reasonable money and snow and rock has vastly more expensive kit.
any pointers or advice would be greatly recieved.
think i may have found me a new hobby!
did you take the plunge and buy some boots this season?
It's been an incredible season for snow. It looks like it might extend a little too.
Anyway, did you buy boots, board, lid, protection etc etc?
How many times did you get away and what was your progress like?
Well, i took the plunge and bought some kit.
My gear currently consists of
Burton "white collection" board
32 "prospect" boots
Flow "the 5" bindings
Giro surface s lid
As well as as many fleece lined pants as i could get!
Overall i am happy with my set up as a beginner but i do want to change the bindings for something with a good toe strap. The flows are fantastic for the snowdome because you spend so much time with one foot out that they really speed things up.
For my (booked) trip this xmas i'll replace them with traditional strap bindings with toe straps.
I love it. Im still not very good but its just the feeling you get moving over the snow - luckily the 2 guys who started with me are just as keen so that makes life easier.
Big thank you to all on this thread who gave advice.
My gear currently consists of
Burton "white collection" board
32 "prospect" boots
Flow "the 5" bindings
Giro surface s lid
As well as as many fleece lined pants as i could get!
Overall i am happy with my set up as a beginner but i do want to change the bindings for something with a good toe strap. The flows are fantastic for the snowdome because you spend so much time with one foot out that they really speed things up.
For my (booked) trip this xmas i'll replace them with traditional strap bindings with toe straps.
I love it. Im still not very good but its just the feeling you get moving over the snow - luckily the 2 guys who started with me are just as keen so that makes life easier.
Big thank you to all on this thread who gave advice.
Regarding the bindings: I've had experience of flows, Burton and Rome most recently.
The Rome are awesome, really well made, light and great toe straps. I've heard really good things about the new bindings from "Now". They look pretty revolutionary, and have Jeremy Jones's approval.
You're right that the flows area great for learning, but the traditional sort just work better in most other situations.
Glad you're enjoying it.
The Rome are awesome, really well made, light and great toe straps. I've heard really good things about the new bindings from "Now". They look pretty revolutionary, and have Jeremy Jones's approval.
You're right that the flows area great for learning, but the traditional sort just work better in most other situations.
Glad you're enjoying it.
Silver993tt said:
I went from Burton's to Flows afte 5 years of boarding. The Flows are superior imo in every respect plus they have the additional benefit of allowing you more time on the slopes actually boarding.
Until you try putting them on in deep powder, or lend your board to a friend. Raify said:
The Rome are awesome, really well made, light and great toe straps. I've heard really good things about the new bindings from "Now". They look pretty revolutionary, and have Jeremy Jones's approval.
They look interesting, I'd love to give them a go. These days though I really can't be bothered with the faff of traditional bindings. I use APOs that you can flip up at the back without having to sit down or bend over uncomfortably. You can even do them up when moving. As well as the flip up back they retain the traditional toe and foot straps and can be put on (and taken off) in the normal way if the conditions dictate. Basically there are no drawbacks apart from perhaps a bit of weight.
Link: http://www.apo-snow.com/gb/bindings.html
For a board I've a trusty K2 Zeppelin that I've had for maybe four years now. Has served me well but is getting quite tatty now. Seems everyone raves about Lib Tech boards..
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