Heel Sides

Post by **shred444** » Thursday 4 January 2007, 4:32

Hey Guys, I'm 21 and live in the US. I've been snowboarding for about 13 years, carving for about 8. I just switched back to a freestyle board: Palmer Crown. Its the closest thing to an alpine board I could find, and I enjoy it so much, I haven't picked up my RennTiger since.

I've noticed in all your videos, you all seem to have much better control on your heel side turns. It seems like its your turn of choice when you want to lay it over.

I find im just the opposite. I have more balance and control on my toe side, and can get lower to the ground.

Is there any reason why this is? I ride goofy, as opposed to you guys riding regular. I attached some shots a cameraman took of me this weekend at Killington, VT. I obviously didnt pay for them, and de-watermarked them from their website.

Post by **RicHard** » Thursday 4 January 2007, 10:03

I think I can advance what it will be said to you here:
on frontside carve, not enough rotation (you are facing the tip of the board).
On backside carve, your front arm is too back.

P.S.: 21 years old with 13 years of boarding? It sound strange... doesn't it?

Ciao!

Post by **raphael** » Thursday 4 January 2007, 13:02

I think shot number 4 says it all: ... counter-rotation.

It's a problem most of us know, personnaly.

Try to twist and look uphill during the whole backside, it may help.

Post by **shred444** » Thursday 4 January 2007, 15:20

Thanks guys, i'll be trying those tips in the next few weeks.

RicHard wrote:P.S.: 21 years old with 13 years of boarding? It sound strange... doesn't it?

8 years old, show and tell...my first snowboard.

Post by **Alex** » Thursday 4 January 2007, 16:41

I had the same problem until two years ago! i can lay down until touch the snow in front side but i get a bad sit-down position in backside, the problem is the fear ...during a backside your body stay erected for conservation instinct!!!
your front-side is good, you have to make only the same for heel! my suggest is to use extreme carving setup... remove canting and use boot in walking mode (if your boot hasn't the spring...like my old pair), in this way for incline the board you has to incline more your body! choose the right slope...better soon in the morning and try to lay down in backside only to win the instinctive fear...and the rest comes trying!

Post by **shred444** » Thursday 4 January 2007, 16:56

Alex, thanks so much. I'm definetely going to try this out. Hopefully i can grab some pics and show you the difference