How do I Learn to Snowboard? Check the best tips to learn snowboard

 How do I Learn to Snowboard?

How do I Learn to Snowboard? Check the best tips to learn snowboard 

It's important to remember that snowboarding doesn't have to be painful. When done slowly and with proper instruction, boarding can be learned faster than skiing. Snowboard instructors are now certified by the PSIA (Professional Ski Instructors of America) and the CSF (Canadian Snowboard Federation), and most resorts that allow boarding will have instructors on staff. Most boarders who have also skied agree that boarding is initially more difficult than skiing, but once the basics are mastered, intermediate and advanced levels are more quickly attained.

Because your feet are secured, you can't step from foot to foot, and you don't have the use of poles like skiers, edging and balancing skills are more important from the start. Snowboarders fall in a different way than skiers. Snowboarders fall forward or backwards onto their face or buttocks, where skiers tend to fall to the right or left. In a forward fall, it is best to fall to the knee and forearm (do not stiffen the arm on the palms) and then lift the board in the air until you come to a stop.

In a backwards fall, go to the butt and roll onto your back, keeping your chin in your chest and lifting the board until you stop. To avoid finger smashing, learn to ride with your fingers in a fist. Why not have releasable bindings as well? Most boarders would disagree with the use of a releasable binding because the board is relatively short (most ride a 150-170 cm length board) and the thought of going down a hill with one foot released and one not is terrifying.

Most ski areas require metal edges, leashes, and secure bindings on snowboards. The newer boards are far more user-friendly than anything made before about 1988. Today's boards are lighter, easier to turn, and more comfortable to ride. If the board your friend is letting you use to learn on has a split tail, center fin, solid high-back bindings, nylon strap bindings, or a stance that is very off center towards the back of the board, find a new friend or rent. Make use of a boarding boot.

How about learning to downhill ski in hiking boots? The right boots provide much-needed ankle support and relieve pressure points caused by straps or buckles. An all-around or alpine board with high-back bindings and a firmer soft boot or hybrid boot should be used for a beginner. Because of the increased difficulty of balancing, turning, skating, and using lifts, hard boots and step-in bindings are not recommended. There are now a few snowboarding books available that include how-to sections written by professionals.

There are two reasons for starting with the back foot out: 

1.  It is not natural to have both feet firmly planted. We are bipeds with independent leg movement. When learning something new, it is best to take baby steps. Putting only the front foot in allows a person to experiment while still using their rear foot independently as a sort of training wheel. You do this on only slightly sloping, almost flat terrain, so the person gets a feel for the board, builds confidence, and their muscles begin to memorize how to turn a snowboard.
2. The second is far more practical. We have to travel a lot with only one foot. Traverses, lifts, and so on. It is simply beneficial and necessary to learn how to move around with only one foot in the ground. Consider it like skating on snow to get the feel of the board and lock down the proper stance (weight on front foot).

Every week, I see people on our bunny slope: bag on lessons, go to the top, strap both feet in, and go for it. They go too fast, sit too far back, wipe out, and can't turn 9 times out of ten. Many people give up. Give up on a very enjoyable sport before even giving it a fair shot. Leason is the best way to learn.

The best ingredients of a lesson are:

1. Stance: This is a natural athletic stance. Feet should be about shoulder width apart, with angles of about 15 in front and 0 in back. Knees bent, posing as if you're about to box someone. If you jump up and down in a boxer ready stance, you should naturally land in the proper stance.
2. Walk around with your front foot in: Skate and slide like you're on a skateboard. Front foot weighted.
3. Front foot in: Run straight. Climb up on almost level ground. Take a step back. Glide down to a complete stop. Front foot weighted.
4. Front foot in: Change of direction. While running straight, look ahead and point with your front hand in the direction you want to turn. First, heel, then toe, then combo. If you're having trouble, make the motion of opening and walking through a left-handed door, then a right-handed door. 
5. Watch people get on the lift: Talk about taking a break. Simply run straight or make slight direction changes as you take off. Step forward. Put your back foot on the stomp pad if you have one, or right in front of the rear binding. 
6. Strap in: Slip on the side. straight down on the heel or toe edge A moderate incline is required. Balance the weight over the edge. Changes that are smooth. Spread evenly, like peanut butter on bread. Maintain your uphill edge. 
7. Garland: Make your way down the hill. Maintain your uphill edge. Look uphill to slow down, and downhill to accelerate. Make no full turns (edge change). Cross the hill, sit down, flip over, and repeat on the other side. This is the best way to learn because it teaches turning without requiring a lot of speed in the no-land man's between turns.
8.  Link turn: Do garland, but on very gentle terrain, bring board around to opposite edge, and continue on the new garland. During transition, keep the board flat. Patience. Terms: Front foot: The foot that is always firmly planted on the board. Regular (righty) rider on the left. Goofy (lefty) rider's right foot. Back foot: The foot that is removed from the board when walking around or boarding or dismounting from the lift. Toe side: The edge and direction of the board on which your toes are located. Suitable for regular riders Goofy rider is on the left. A toe side turn is one in which you are up on your toes with your heel in the air at the end of the turn. Heel side: The edge and direction of the board on which your heels are placed. Regular riders have priority. Ideal for wacky riders. A heel side turn is one in which your toes are in the air and you balance more on your heel at the end of the turn.

The Common Problems are:

• 1. Sit back and push your weight forward: Keeping your weight forward by sticking your front hand out (left arm for regular, right arm for goofy). Do not stick your buttocks back to balance your forward arm. Bring your entire weight forward by bending your knees.

If you start slowly on the flats and gain confidence on the board, you will be able to trust it and lean forward. If you're leaning back on the hill, it usually means you're scared and went too fast. Return to the beginning. The skateboarding moves with one foot in the beginning should really cement in the mind and muscles that the board will only move correctly with the weight on the front foot.

• 2. Looking down: I always ask my students to identify the color or pattern on their board. 'Good,' I say, knowing you don't have to keep looking at it. Look where you're going, whether it's forward, to the left, or to the right. Your body will follow suit. You tend to lean back when you look down.

• 3. Front knee locked: Front leg straight. It must be bent. Makes you gain weight. To break this bad habit, crouch down and stick your arm out, or grab your cafe with your front hand. Many snowboarders have this bad habit. Do not get involved right away. You could be a bodybuilder and still be unable to bend your knee if you enter a turn with a locked front leg. The key is to enter with your leg bent and then descend from there. You never want locked knees when snow boarding.

• 4. Lift falls: When exiting the lift, do not put your back foot on the snow instead of the board. Don't take a seat.