frankly i think the main thing to do properly is be able to do simple basic turns with the rotation technique...
IF this is not masterized on normal skid turns, it will not be masterized at a higher level for EC...
Once you can ride with confidence with rotation, then you can go harder and do push-pull, then you can EC.
Since rotation is a different technique, you need to learn it.. its a plus to know how to carve before of course.
N.
Days of practice to do EC
Moderators: fivat, rilliet, Arnaud, nils
Céline, to be honest It's not a question of time but a question of ability to understand push-pull technic and to have a excellent sensitive feeling (very hard to develloped, and that why I like shapers-developpers in some sports like windsurf & kite).
In my case, It's a evolution step by step, riding with others people, see them, analyse and understand (ie last ECS I saw one think in Patrice's technic, that himself doesn't really explain but increase my frontside)
At least, I think only one person do EC perfectly (front, back, smooth style, full slope).
Otherwise many people do good front (like Foué or iJu) or back (like Benji or Syldavid), smooth syle (me
) ou hard style ( http://www.swoard.com/gallery/displayim ... =7&pos=104 ).In conclusion ? : just ride to have fun...
- 168XH Pro - Custom Dual 168H - Swallow Undertakeur 185
-- Tignes 19 au 25 mars --
-- Tignes 19 au 25 mars --
I wanted to 'count' in days and not seasons because some people ride 5 days per season and other 25 or more, so it is not really 'fair' right?...
As for EC, many factors are important including equipment, your ability to understand the technique and I know we are all different people or riders but for me it is like gymnastics (speaking technique only)..to do some figures you need at some point :
ability,
guts doing scary things and then,
practice practice practice, get better and someday it is good enough to reach personal hapiness and satisfaction...
I also cannot agree more when you all say that you learn faster with other riders; if I can do what I do today in frontside it is thanks to riders like Arnaud (and Jeanma) who helped me a lot on my first runs with my swoard. Before that I spent 3 or 4 full days trying to undo my counter rotation habit according to what I read here (it took only a few hours to my brother to understand it by watching others and with a few tips). Whenever I can, I still practice the rotation technique, cause for me it feels so much better than using counter rotation anyway...I need to practice again because I don't feel safe in moguls and I can't do a 'laid' backside!!
Now I am thinking, my backside sucks so should I keep on practicing practicing and someday soon i'll be able to understan, do a nice backside turn...and be happy about it... or should I just enjoy riding normally with laid frontside turns sometimes because I already spent too much time on practicing and my case is hopeless ? .. practicing frontside is fun so for me it is all about having fun!
This season I spent a lot of time practicing my backside, had many advices at ECS, but still, I just couldn't get it....in New Zealand I was with a very good carver (in telemark), the last 2 days he explained me what was my problem and I think now i know better. With very soft sticky snow (slow) and the Axis without wax it was not the best to practice but if this winter, on hard snow with the swoard I don't get any better, then I'll be kinda
desperate. you know 
As for EC, many factors are important including equipment, your ability to understand the technique and I know we are all different people or riders but for me it is like gymnastics (speaking technique only)..to do some figures you need at some point :
ability,
guts doing scary things and then,
practice practice practice, get better and someday it is good enough to reach personal hapiness and satisfaction...
I also cannot agree more when you all say that you learn faster with other riders; if I can do what I do today in frontside it is thanks to riders like Arnaud (and Jeanma) who helped me a lot on my first runs with my swoard. Before that I spent 3 or 4 full days trying to undo my counter rotation habit according to what I read here (it took only a few hours to my brother to understand it by watching others and with a few tips). Whenever I can, I still practice the rotation technique, cause for me it feels so much better than using counter rotation anyway...I need to practice again because I don't feel safe in moguls and I can't do a 'laid' backside!!
Now I am thinking, my backside sucks so should I keep on practicing practicing and someday soon i'll be able to understan, do a nice backside turn...and be happy about it... or should I just enjoy riding normally with laid frontside turns sometimes because I already spent too much time on practicing and my case is hopeless ? .. practicing frontside is fun so for me it is all about having fun!
This season I spent a lot of time practicing my backside, had many advices at ECS, but still, I just couldn't get it....in New Zealand I was with a very good carver (in telemark), the last 2 days he explained me what was my problem and I think now i know better. With very soft sticky snow (slow) and the Axis without wax it was not the best to practice but if this winter, on hard snow with the swoard I don't get any better, then I'll be kinda
desperate. you know * * * "Carve diem, that's it " * * *
Celine,
That is the problem for most of us, time to practice. Most of us has to work in order to have a decent living, to afford a Swoard and the rest of the gear. Then most do not live nearby the snow and slopes, only a few lucky ones. For being able to master the linked laid turns the solution is either to take a season off work, living in a winter resort (quite expensive) or to move to a place where work or carving can be combined. If that is not possible, enjoy your riding at the level you have reached and enjoy even more the progress you make, even the small ones during the season. The laid frontsides are fun and will impress almost everybody on the slopes.
That is the problem for most of us, time to practice. Most of us has to work in order to have a decent living, to afford a Swoard and the rest of the gear. Then most do not live nearby the snow and slopes, only a few lucky ones. For being able to master the linked laid turns the solution is either to take a season off work, living in a winter resort (quite expensive) or to move to a place where work or carving can be combined. If that is not possible, enjoy your riding at the level you have reached and enjoy even more the progress you make, even the small ones during the season. The laid frontsides are fun and will impress almost everybody on the slopes.
harald
Harald, are you a mind reader or whatharald wrote:Celine,
the solution is either to take a season off work, living in a winter resort (quite expensive) or to move to a place where work or carving can be combined.
nothing to do with EC per say, more a dream, but I do have the choice right now to take a work break 
or being a barmaid somewhere in a resort for the season 
or looking for a new job near a mountain area!! a few weeks ago I even thought about doing an instructor training for a few weeks somewhere in canada or japan....funny you just mentionned these solutions. 
As for EC, I guess i'll keep on practicing a bit more whenever possible
thanks for answering the poll.* * * "Carve diem, that's it " * * *