i'm a mediocre boarder when i'm going regular but when i switch to goofy i always fall. i used to ski (5 years, i think) but i love snowboarding so much more. anyone have any tips on how to improve my switch riding? (i would go out and ride switch more, but unfortunately i don't live near any open mountains yet, so anything off-mountain that i could do would help)
2007-10-09 11:03:10 · 4 answers · asked by rfliss 2 in Sports ➔ Winter Sports ➔ Snowboarding
I agree with most of the answers given, but I think that you should learn regular riding and switch riding at the same time. It will take you a little longer to master each new level but you will be able to do it either direction and in the long run you will be a better rider.
One suggestion would be to look at how your board is setup before you start riding this season.
Many shops setup the back foot 3 to 9 degrees forward and the front foot 12 to 18 degrees forward. This makes riding in your normal direction much easier, but turns your body too far in one direction to ride switch comfortably.
Last year, I set my bindings to 3 degrees in the back and only 9 degrees in the front. It made riding regular a little more difficult (especially on the flats at high speed) but made riding switch much easier. Now I can do an entire intermediate run comfortably riding switch.
For proof of this, look at the boarders that ride the pipes which requires a lot of switch riding - many of them even use the "duck" stance which angles both feet toward the closest tip. I tried it and didn't like it.
Good Luck!
2007-10-10 05:23:54 · answer #1 · answered by TahoeT 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
while both answers already given are right on and should be taken into consideration, I would add that your problem, aside from being mediocre is that your board is probably the same - a entry level to middle of the road board. Unless you have a board that's a true twin, it is going to be MUCH harder to learn how to ride switch. (If you don't know what your board is it's probably directional but if you name it more than a few people on here could tell you.) This doesn't mean that it can't be done of course, just that it'll take much longer for you to learn and be comfortable.
2007-10-09 23:45:45 · answer #2 · answered by britt_910 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you're snowboarding definetely practice as much as you can but in the off season just get used to going the other way. Try skateboarding a bit switch or just kicking with your other foot when you can. Also, like the other people said, get a good twintip board and set up your bindings close to 0. I have mine at 10 in front and 0 in back. It works fine for me.
2007-10-09 22:43:06 · answer #3 · answered by skoocda 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honestly I know it's cliche and all, but Practice practice practice... Your main concern shouldn't be trying to ride switch right now anyway if you're only meidocre at riding regular.. U should work on getting great at that first.. When u can ride down blues with ease and take on most dimonds if not all then u can practice riding switch, but if u cant do that then practice that first
2007-10-09 18:28:23 · answer #4 · answered by Mitch 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋