Dave ESPI

This drips of sarcasm.... lol.

Nice vid. I didnt like the mutes myself in a stance any less than 25 degrees in the rear or else they caused me a lot of knee pain when trying to get lower on the snow. Curious what stance you are running.

Not sure what "X" pattern bob is talking about unless he means the smaller diameter insert disk that only fit a few kinds, but Burton also had a baseless binding, and a quick change system that was rapidly replaced with a newer style because the center disk would strip out with tweeking and pivoting the feet in the bindings while riding the board.

Its all good Bob, I hold no grudges,and just a heads up, I'm taking my level 2 prereq stuff @ killington at the end of this season in hardboots and I'm 100% confident in both my ability and teaching skills to pass it. Perhaps my methods don't always mesh, and for such I'm being a bit over crucified, so I will again just simply say there is many ways to ride a snowboard and various techniques and disciplines as well as ways to teach it. Oh, and I like Rolling Rock.... fresh from Latrobe PA.

the biggest thing that got to me is he actively solicits on this site to give paid lessons to people for aggressive race technique. "actively" ? dude, I'm just listed in the instructors section, and in all due respect, the racing is not just in hardboots. I don't see AASI or any sort of accreditations other than a TOP POST WHORE OF BOL status as your sole claim to fame, but I digress. Perhaps you too should follow Jacks words and realise this is not just a place to "hang out and make post as there apparently is a "mission" and there is only one way to accomplish it? People can make their own decisions as to what is and isnt valuable. My experiences are vastly different than your or some others, and perhaps my style is indeed different, and my "suggestions" are not the status-quo, but taking it to this witch-hunt status is childish beyond that of the one you are presently "watching" while carving from a desktop in a lazy-boy recliner. Atleast I dont "EDIT" and ghost my post or delete them. I post, I remain, I am. Peace out, I'm on the hill, doin what I do, helping people be better boarders, putting smiles on faces and and making turns. I guess I'm the luckiest unpopular person ever. Call me the Howard Stern of Bobs World :lol:..... cause he sure tunes in to hear what I say next! LOL.

I just got this notice on Facebook also. I saw the one they had offered lastweek, but it was just for western US states, nothing east of mississippi river. 90.00 from Boston is cheeeaaappppp! I calculated what it would cost with flights from Albany NY to Chicago then to Denver, and to Aspen, and no matter what way I added it up, it was still cheaper to drive to NYC, and fly FRONTIER roundtrip for $342.00 Laguardia to Denver then Aspen and back... can't really beat that with free baggage. I couldn't risk waiting longer, so I think those who can still jump on a Southwest flight should do it !

A lot of props has to be given to the sit-ski guys. They hit that boardercross trail and some gnarly wrecks, and just keep on truckin'. They truly all should get a BIGGEST BALLS award for what they do!

LOL!

Not sure if this would be of any help, but I have sympathy for ya. I have an everted coxxix and a good bit of "sway back" in the shape of my spine. I've never been able to touch my toes. I did exercises for years, and they helped, especialy with snowboarding. When rotating left, it is hard for me to get my right shoulder around all the way sometimes without feeling a twinnge in my lower back. Having fallen quite a few times on my tailbone as a child, it caused S1 and L5 to compact, and thus far, I've been lucky to not herniate it. I sleep on my stomach, or side in a slight fetal position with a blanket or small pillow between my knees. It helps a lot especialy after a day of riding. DOANS nighttime back relief medication and a heating pad or icy hot at times works wonderfully when it flairs up. HTH. EDIT: I'm not a fan of one particular RT either. I had one and it was insanely snappy and had a spring-board effect and would hook hard when I would least expect it. I gave it to a friend and he loves it despite that board having handed a good fair share people a "yardsale" or two (himself included). But to each their own:)

oddly, I just got this email from W/BC. Perhaps it is just good Ol' Bait and switch and they are downplaying the lack of snow with that corporate forked tongue lingo they love like "hardpack with machine groomed powder" AKA: "Dust over crust". As someone already familiar with Intrawest, we wanted you to be among the first to join us in celebrating another snow record at Whistler Blackcomb (our sister Intrawest resort) as they get ready to welcome the world...see below for more information. WITH RECORD 9.9 M (32 FT) OF SNOWFALL, WHISTLER BLACKCOMB IS GAMES-READY AND SET TO WELCOME THE WORLD <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-RIGHT: 25px; PADDING-LEFT: 15px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 20px; PADDING-TOP: 0px"><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-RIGHT: 20px; PADDING-LEFT: 10px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 10px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" vAlign=top width="74%" bgColor=#ffffff>As the finishing touches are being applied to the Olympic venues, Whistler Blackcomb is celebrating a record 9.9 metres or 32.5 feet of snowfall to date this season. As the snow base hovers around the 3-metre or 10-feet mark, the well-known resort, located two hours north of Vancouver, is Games-ready and set to welcome the world in just two weeks. Deep snow at Whistler Blackcomb is nothing new, but getting so close to the average annual snowfall of 10.13 metres or 33 feet so early in the season is very unique. In fact, this is the first time that Whistler Blackcomb has received this amount of snow by the end of January, dating back to when snow reporting began in 1979/80. The prior record was set in the 2006/07 season when 9.45 metres or 31 feet of snow fell by January 31. View snow and weather stats. "There is a very strong sense of anticipation and excitement throughout the resort right now as we prepare to open our doors to the world," says Dave Brownlie, President and Chief Operating Officer of Whistler Blackcomb. "The resort is looking its best and the snow conditions on the mountains are incredible. We received great feedback from course inspectors last week, and the men's and women's courses are now fully in the hands of Olympic Organizing Committee." Whistler Blackcomb remains 90% open throughout the Games with base access via the Whistler Village Gondola, Fitzsimmons Express, Excalibur Gondola and Wizard Express. Although the Creekside Gondola will be closed February 1 to March 1, a ski-out will remain available via Peak to Creek. For those who don't have tickets to Creekside events, mountain guests can watch some of the Alpine Skiing action via course-side viewing pods, free with a lift ticket. To check out everything there is to know about Whistler Blackcomb, including highlights throughout the Games from the resort's snowy slopes, check out www.whistlerblackcomb.com. </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle width="26%" bgColor=#ffffff><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

I will work on that :) Geoff, that pic looks not much different than a lot of pics from 2010... just sayin...

When I was turned onto this site nearly 5 years ago, I read everything there was to possibly read. I think this article was the single most influential and inspirational one that I really thought was the "spirit" of this forum and concept of an "alpine rider". It is what drives me at the core level. If some of us have not read it, please do and remind yourself what defines us. http://www.bomberonline.com//articles/who_is_part1.cfm Some times we all get wrapped up in situations, and comments and stuff, so I want to say I'm personaly sorry if I mislead anyone with crappy advice, or comments from my personal experiences. Anyone posting in a forum (myself included) opens themself up to criticizm, and scorn equaly as well as praise and applause. Hopefully I can rectify the negetivity and restore faith in short order as I realise there is some dissention and credibility damages having been done. So I will pipe down and not offer any "advice" for technique for carvers until I am envited to do such again. Everyone here is passionate about snowboarding, so lets all just go out and enjoy it for all that it entails. :) Thats all. Cheers, D. See ya @ SES and ECES and on various other hills :)

Hi, my name is Dave, and I'm not always right and I never said I was an expert, so if you will excuse my apathy and my passion for this sport and discussing all aspects of it, I beg the forgiveness of the slopelords. I'm a good listener, so I will pipe down as it has been requested with any personal experiences as to advice with "carving specific" topics. I look forward to reading others posted advice and comments. I'm not mad or sore or upset, or anything, Its just a discussion forum, so in no ways should anyone think they are hurting my feelings with their comments, I'm a big guy like that, and can take my licks and salt grains in stride. See ya on the slopes @ SES and ECES and Thunderdome, or wherever. What Is best about the carver community here on BOL is the honesty. If you want to say hello, or just simply that I "Suck", please walk up introduce yourself, and say it in person and establish a level of balls off the internet on the snow where as the orange oval riders say; "Respect gets Respect". No worries, Perhaps A lot of what is "me" gets lost in translation online. Either way, any online forum is like a dysfunctional family where ya don't have to have character to be a character. Typicaly it's not WHAT you say it's HOW you say it, whether it be an email, a text or a verbal conversation keep in mind how what you are saying is coming across to the other person(s).

no, have you put yours up Mr. #1 poster on BOL?

My "role" ? I'm a member and a fan of Bomber and ridng in hardboots and carving. I have the privledge to speak my opinions, beliefs, and to share them as such according to the forum rules and regulations. All due respect, Some of the eletist arguements that because something is old, or different, out side of the box, or a different way of looking at something it is "wrong" and "counterculture". Physics are still Physics. Yes technology is supposed to help make things work better, but only to a point. In the most recient Warren Miller Film, they ventured to China. People been riding sticks down a hill for centuries, and as crude as they were, they worked better if not as good as the modern fancy 2010 technology. In this case, I questioned the viability of bindings as to the original posters question. I own 10 different styles of bindings personaly, and that includes a pair of the Catek softboot bindings, and they are no different of a feeling under a persons feet from any other binding except for how they fit to a persons biomechanics, comfort and ride style. At 449.00 It is the equivlent to "bling" on a motorcycle or under the hood custom car with "ride height and response" with a CNC frame. How is the CATEK binding, (assuming we are riding it in a stance of any other softboot rider would recommend as to angles and an A/M board) any different? How will the CATEKs make a person turn into the PK FLYERS, or AIR JORDAN sneakers mentality of "I can run faster, jump higher, carve harder" just by using Cateks FR2s? From a design standpoint, they are awesome, but they really don't revolutionize it. Neither does K2 clickers, or Flows, or Burton C-60s from a design standpoint in relation to gravity and the forces that act upon the human body at speed. If they in someway far superior and vastly revolutionary, please tell me how, because I must be doing this all wrong, and not looking at the components correctly on the board and under my feet. If people say softboots don't belong carving, or can't do this, and can't do that, then why bother having a discussion about it. Jack, I very much love the BOL forum and ALL the people on it (yes even bobdea ) and noone should ever feel like they can't ask or answer a question or else the whole learning process breaks down, and progress as a community is halted. I'm not always right, and I will be the first person to stand up and admit it. Diversity is what makes us unique as riders, The sport is what brings us unity. Geoff, We rode 1 day and you are a superb carver. I give credit where credit is due. I am also able to say I am indeed only 4 seasons on a plate/hardboot setup, and hopefully have honed myself to a more refined rider, and am very much looking forward to riding again. Hope to show the much improved riding and understanding the next time we are out :)

Gyro; with Chin and Visor. Only drawback... at around 44 mph the visor becomes a wind catcher and your head starts to bobble and whip around like a kid with his hand out the window of a car doing the "airplane arm" going up & down and all around. The chin strap placement is kind of annoying also, but the helmet is quite warm (adjustable vents) and comfortable with a balaclava on under it :)

Jack, I am confident in what I post. Sometimes what I'm saying indeed does not come out the way it was intended, and for that I appologise. On that note, It is also a BOL discussion forum. If noone discusses things, or ask questions, has out of the box off the wall ideas, or offers up anecdotes, compares techniques, quibble over the timeless FORD vs CHEVY debates, laughs, tears, injuries, and busted up gear, various stories and situations, or tries to communicate, then whats the point of it all? We all are here for learning new stuff and trying different things, and finding a blend of what works well and what doesn't and hopefully somewhere come out of all this a much better rider and well rounded snowboarder and able to recognise what we are or are not doing correctly at any given moment. Anytime someone voices or post something they open themself up for critique and ridicule as equaly as praise and cheers. We are all sweet potatoes in this big bag of Yams. :lol: Food for thought.

Soft Bindings For Freecarving <HR style="COLOR: #3399ff" SIZE=1><!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->Now that hybrid freeride carving boards have arrived (swoard dual)..does anyone have any good recommendations of soft boot compatible bindings to work with higher positive stance angles e.g. 60F, 45R ? If people can't answer the question, and stay within the discussion with out insulting everyone who rides NON-HARDBOOTS at higher angles, with whatever hardware, technique, and gear, but would rather circumvent the question and just say NO NO NO... then why bother? From now on just answer GET HARDBOOTS, and be done with it. Just spitballing in the wind here..... but uh nothing makes the CATEK binding any different than other softboot bindings other than a fancy base that allows for some adjustments for what boils down to basicly "rider comfort". Rides, Burtons, Flows, hell even bottom of the rung $15.99 Lamars are all based on the same basic design; 2 straps, a base, a highback and a heelcup. It ultimately comes down to boot selection, rider ability, and preferance for style of riding. Some boots work better with particular binding systems, and others never fit right, and are uncomfortable. The third strap retains the top of the softboot in a proper position in relation to the highback when it is pushed in a lateral direction while carving. I really do not see why there is so much "hate" when people speak of the third strap being too restrictive, when they are riding Salomon Malamutes that are far more restrictive than my 3 straps and a softer airwalk boot ever were. FWIW, I do indeed love my 3 straps and am most comfortable riding in them as opposed to many other boots and binding combinations. Purely my preferance; and there will not be anyone who can tell me different because it is MY CHOICE to ride with such. I can speak for myself in where I ride 3 straps: Any trail, Anytime. Who knows, maybe that "fad" of 3 straps will come back and be the next "ROCKER BOARD" craze.... things that go around, come back around. Wouldn't that be egg on a bunch of peoples faces now..... :rolleyes: Obviously the 3 straps are not made anymore, so it makes riding higher angles more a conundrum with buying "new gear". Indeed one does have to decide how far they feel comfortable with a softboot before it greatly hinders riding at angles higher than 45, and I would highly suggest not riding greater than 45 with softboots in anycase. Three straps or no straps at all.

Never said hardboots were better, or that soft boots were either. I said simply "use the proper tool for the job" since day 1. Humor me and post the complete answer again as to an exact setup you recommend for the OP.

What would YOU recommend? Trailertrash: same question. EDIT: to the initial posters quandry. Also: PAUL ASKED...Any suggestions on what it could be? I know it will be hard to diagnose without seeing me ride, but maybe someone else has experienced something similar and can share. I responded, right or wrong. I responded with MY personal experiences. Right or Wrong atleast I'm unafraid of offer it up. Also, In Dan Bogardus's article on where your butt should (not) be he mentions the knees. Perhaps "cowboying" is a misnomer for what I'm saying with respects to how the knees have to flex the board. maybe this is better? By flexing the knees without breaking at the waist you can keep your center of mass over the turning edge allowing you to exert more force directly to the edge. Also, by driving your knees laterally (side to side) toward the snow, you can increase edge angle without moving your center of mass away from the edge. Many riders already drive their back knee laterally toward the snow (or toward the front knee), but don't drive their front knee the same direction. You do have independent leg action, so take advantage of this- you don't have to keep your knees together all the time, as many old-schoolers would have you believe.

wow, VERY GOOD POINT ! I totaly didn't even think about that. /me: Runs to peal stickers off boots and hardcase !

From the website: If there was ever an alpine board that was so comfortable to ride, that felt like that go-to comfy hoodie or T-shirt that just hangs so well, it would be our Fall Line Carve (FLC). The FLC has been designed for the alpine connoisseur that wants a ride that is slightly less "hooky" - a board that has a smoother release from its turn, exits with ease. It incorporates the best of our WCR classic shape and superior Metal construction with a few adjustments. The shape has a dual radius side cut, with a two meter radius difference off the back end and a slightly rockered tail profile making it easier to hammer the groomers all day. This is a PGS shape designed for hard core recreational carver that can also be competitive in the gates. It has a silky smooth exit from the turn, no hooking up hill, with an effortless transition from one turn into the next. The FLC design is user friendly, easier to "unlock" from a committed turn, but in no way hinders edge hold, snap or drive off the boards tail. There's never been a better time to be an alpine carver. I've never ridden this board. I look forward to it in about 1 week if it is @ SES. Nothing from nothing, have been on enough different boards to just surmise that if an edge feels like it is sliding out and away, then with weight transfer fore and aft, there reaches a point where you unweight the nose and yet still need to keep the radius the same. Only 2 ways to tighten up a turn and make it "hook-up" more, flex it, or go faster and ride the SCR harder. Obviously I was eluding to the first. If you are not actively working the board under your feet, you are just along for the ride and letting the board do what it wants, not the other way around. Then again, when I was on the 190 Rozzi WC, it was so stiff I was unable to "cowboy" it at all despite all the strength I tried on it. The stance is 17-22 for this board. I wonder where the OP is set at?

Docrob: A/M is lingo for All Mountain board. It is a style of sidecut, manufactured material choice, and shape that allows a rider to take th board "anywhere" and be comfortable on it. Not specificly designed to do anything in particular. Drzone: I'd be interested in seeing that setup with a 3rd strap and know how it works :) Bob: after 10+ post of moot opinionated banter in this thread, you come back with more digs and avoid the question I posed to you. WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND ? Please answer. We all ride what we like. PERIOD. I recommend others find out what they like; share said thoughts with others, and continue to ride it too. If that makes me a "nutter for liking what I do and having strong personal convictions to it, then I say its akin to: FORD IS BETTER THAN CHEVY also. From an AASI teaching standpoint, flair, style, and choice of personal equipment are not judged based upon right or wrong, but just proper use of such and how it translates to the core-values of the dynamics in an AASI lesson plan. SoftbootSailor: Rawk-on!

NEWCARVER, the third strap keeps the top of your boots from sliding off the highback when tilted over at extreme angles. I actualy was riding this weekend, and broke the spine of a new pair of boots exactly this way when the boot had no lateral support. The highback does not need to be locked down" to still provide that extra support and a flexible highback that is on the Old Burton CustomFreeride binds is quite comfortable both locked and unlocked. Funny, I pondered this, and did a search for "RULES TO SNOWBOARDING" All I found was some tips on how to be SAFE while doing it with regulations to Skiers Code of Ethics. Obviously SBS has a "Surfy" style, and you are giving him flack for it? You constantly rip people down for their preferance to personal style and gear that is contrary to your own OPINION. THERE ARE NO RULES... THIS IS WHY WE SHRED IN THE FIRST PLACE! And becides, whats wrong with throwing down in an oldschool style? We are not all Olympic Racers, or wanting to be Hunchbacks of notredame in a compacted position while riding. If it gets the job done, and the rider ends the day with a smile on his face and coodos from others for ripping the slopes, then whats the dif? Obviously what works for some will not work for all. It is why it is an individualized sport. I don't rawk da bandana and listen to Averil Levine while in the park, so does that mean I can't be in there throwing down a "backside air" instead of a "method"? To each their own. Bob, In all seriousness what would be your recomendation with Bindings, boots, and angles and board and an EXACT setup for the OP's question as a "package deal"? Nowhere in this entire thread have you came right out and given a difinitive answer... just lots of poo-pooing with comments. Like if he was to just go out and get everything to be a BOBDEA APPROVED Bonefied Rider? What would that be?

If I were to guess, and to add to Jacks advice, I'd say you need to slide your weight back a bit at mid carve as it sounds like the heelside while holding a line, is not being pressured enough at the apex of the turn. A bit of "Cowboy" pinching with the knees to decamber the board with that weight a bit more on the tail and it should help fix that. I have 2 boards that love the nose loaded up, and one that needs me to really shift the weight back on it or else I go down also with a slam to the snow and slide on my hip for a hundred feet with a blown-out heelside as well. This was pointed out to me one day last year @ stratton with some other riders from the forum, and it definatley improved my riding that particular board and made me aware of it on others aswell. HTH.