First ride, disaster or pure pleasure?

[harald]

Hi,
Do you share some of my experiences with the very first ride of the season? Full of enthusiasm and a memory of the last successful runs from end season with laid, speedy turns, I enter the slope with the board, new boards and bindings. The slope is easy, well groomed and off I go. In the first front turn the board catches the edge, digs in an there I lie Up again, the same thing happens in the heel turn, the board carves always uphill, the arms are waiving, but I manage to stand. Then into the next turn, the speed feels scaring, starting to skid a little. In short, the first run feels horrible, almost like a beginner. But the feeling on being on snow again is incredible. So as you understand, the very first run tear down some of the self image that was built up by watching all the videos of perfect turns. Fortunately, some of the positive self image returned the second turn, but for me the very first run of the season is a mixed blessing. Any others that have it the same way?

[István]

I had a similar experience this season, but I believe it was more caused by the new board that is much wider.

In the first runs I always pushed much harder than I should have, so I always ended up lying on the snow as I was not prepared for the sudden and irreversible turn...

Don't worry, it will get better

Cheers,

István

[roger]

Harald and István,

Hi,
(...) In short, the first run feels horrible, almost like a beginner. But the feeling on being on snow again is incredible. So as you understand, the very first run tear down some of the self image that was built up by watching all the videos of perfect turns. Fortunately, some of the positive self image returned the second turn, but for me the very first run of the season is a mixed blessing. Any others that have it the same way?

Yeah, I understand your feeling.

Day one this weekend: After trying to set up my swoard according to my ordinary race board settings (60 deg. front and back), and trying to ride it like a race board - it didn't work at all. The swoard just produced chatter, instability and teeth grit.

Day two: I borrowed a 3deg. cant plate for my back td2 and set the bindings to ~55 degrees back and front. I also slowed the pace to a more moderate one. And suddenly the swoard was working as intented. Well, more or less like in the J&P movies and pictures but with lower carves.. hehe In conclusion - don't ride and set up the swoard as a race board.

One board that surprised me was a borrowed F2 speedster 182 I had the opportunity to try. I just pointed the nose down the slope for a few seconds, and at any speed I put the board on either edge was - total stability. Needless to say; I was very impressed and got to get one now.

[harald]

I think one reason for the bad feeling during the first runs is loss of muscle memory being away from the board for about 6 months. It is the same with all technique things that you do not practice regularly, snowboarding, skiing, playing the piano or whatever. After a while you get rusty. So getting back to thr previous level and improving is a matter of systematic quantity training. One club fellow who once were at a decent international level in skiing told me that for him it took at least 3 months of continuous training before being able to run rather fast and smooth in giant slalom. It is a lot of fine tuning in the nerves and muscles that has to be developed in order to have the feeling for what to do in each situation rather than thinking about technique. That is why the first runs feel so horrible, the muscle memory has been reduced. It is the same with the first runs on skis, even if I am a better skier than snowboarder. The good thing is that after a couple of days the good, confident feeling is coming back. And as a good friend says: the one who never falls is not pushing the limits and learning.

[István]

There is also a piece of memory attached to the speed. In the beginning of the season I usually shit my pants at higher speeds... then I usually get used to it.

Just like with my bike....


Cheers,

Istvan

[István]

There is also a piece of memory attached to the speed. In the beginning of the season I usually shit my pants at higher speeds... then I usually get used to it.

Just like with my bike....


Cheers,

Istvan

[pokkis]

Istvan, are you refring with used to it to speed or sh... in pants
Sorry, but I just could not resist
As you see i really need snow, but hopefully resorts will open this weekend, finally.

[skywalker]

I also think, that it depends in high grade to changes in your setup. Last season I started with my well-known Plasma, and the first day I felt better than at the end of the previous season. As I had done a lot of physical and mental training in the summer, so I felz totally confident.

This season I started on my WCR, that I had only ridden for about one week before. Furthermore I changed my stance approximately 10mm, which was too much, I think. So first run felt not really good, especially, as there could hardly anything bee seen and the slopes were bumpy and soft. This was a rather hard first run this season

[harald]

Hi again,

There is also a piece of memory attached to the speed. In the beginning of the season I usually shit my pants at higher speeds... then I usually get used to it.

Yes, I agree. The speed also feels frightening in the first runs. It is as running downhill and super G for the first time after always running slalom. I know, believe me. I was nervous as h... in my first downhill course, but after a while you get used to it.

I also think, that it depends in high grade to changes in your setup.

Certainly, that is also a point, but the the first time problems occur also with known equipment, not only for me but for many of my skiing and boarding companions. The problem with my mental training is that I build a very clear and positive picture but I have difficulties with matching it to the brutal realities out there. Have to work on that. This season, I started with my Swoard (known), but new Nortwave boots, new TD2 bindings (same set up). The solution is to have a lot of practice before Zinal, otherwise you have to stay out of may way.

As you see i really need snow, but hopefully resorts will open this weekend, finally.

Unfortunately, you live at the wrong place for the moment. It does not help much to know that it is more than 1 meter at Oppdal now. I hope the resorts in Finland open now.
I will report back when my mental images conform to whats going on in reality. I also plan to by springs in many colours to really test out.
Greets,

[pokkis]

First rides on our new Swoards are now done
I started today with my Swoard 175M and spend like 3 hours riding, only adjustment done was to increase stance by 1cm to 50, angeles 50-57
It felt very good, much better than last year in Zinal that bord rules.
But later i found that i need sharpen cants, for some reason they were not very sharp. Then i switched to my old reliable Burner 188, angles 70-63. First run was quite odd, but after that every run started to feel more comfy. I'm so happy to have two so great boards
Paula started with her new Burner 167 and she was very happy bout board, how it behaves and how easy it is to ride, and clearly switching from 4WD 159 with radius of 8.5m to 12m increased speed and radius and made driving much smoother. Then after 3 hours Swoard 161M, comments were positive but end result was that Burner was still feeling slightly lighter and easier to ride.
Let's see how it is after few more days

[nils]

U mean edges?

Indeed the factory finish on any edges is enough for first rides, but is way from beeing sharp... I just sharpen my wife new Dynastar Legend skies, and it took me 30 mins to do the 4 edges !! The factory finish on it was like saw marks, uneven surface, unflat etc.... after a small tooltonic use and polish with hard stone like arkansas stone, it is now like perfect and razor sharp...
Same has to be done with any board, skis that come out of a factory, even those with ceramic discs, that leave even surface, but not totally sharp..

Nils

[harald]

This weekend the memory returned meaning everything ran smootly. Ufortunetely, only the blue/green slope was open, but it was "world champion conditions", abt. -5 degrees, well groomed fresh snow on a firm surface, good visibiltiy. The Swoard works excellent in such conditions, even when the snow gets a bit bumpy during the day. However, I have not this broad experience with other boards as many of you have. On the other hand, I think it is more important really to get used to and learn the equipment properly rather than switch and use a variety of boards with different set ups and riding positions . I think I once read that Bernard Hinault (the famous pro bicycle rider) spent five years to increase the height of his seat by 5 mm. Lasse Kjus spent one season to get used to his new brand of skis, switching from Atomic to Dynastar, but had to return to his "old" Atomic boots. When that is said, the impression of the Northwave boots (with no modifications yet) and TD2 bindings after four days on easy slopes is very good . The boots are at the same time both more firmer and more forgiving than my previous Raichle 323s and UPS RSV Mach (racing). The shell of the Northwaves gives excellent support to the ankles and transmits the forces directly to the edges, wich is important with a wide board like the Swoard. At the same time the spring system and the hinged shaft provide good flex and allow to bend the knees for a dynamic style. I am looking forward to start experimenting when all the different springs that I have ordered arrive. To everyone that has not too wide feet and has a chance to buy a pair of Northwaves, just buy them.

[Pascale]

When I stop doing something for a while, then, when I start it again, I try not to think too much. I try to let my body speak, not my reasoning.
Just as if I never stopped.
I do that with sport, but also with music.

Most of the time, it works rather well. But, if at that moment I try to analyse, then I can't do it anymore.

[tigger]

my first runs are often a bit too fast with chattering and not so smooth, after a while i get the right feeling for my edge, i concentrate more on my technike and control my speed. then after some practice the speed increases again.