dr. sandman

A Newbie question, of sorts - please direct me to previous posts if they exist. Ridden hardboots for 3-4 yrs. now, this year is first good equipment set up (no more flexy ski boots and now a FCII ;) ). Question is: For the average carver, what tends to be the ideal speed (which is really hard to judge) or better yet, what incline of slope seems to be best to really start hooking up? My daughter races with the high school and as such we spend the majority of time on diamonds. I can handle any incline without problem, but it seems I spend the better part of my turns on these slopes skidding rather than carving. When we go over to the intermediate runs I can get run-width carves back and forth fairly well. Yet on those carves, I'm not to the point of really feeling the G's or laying it over. Having read much in the wealth of good info here on Bomber, I'm commited to not reach for the snow. Although I haven't any photos or vids to critique my style with, it seems like my body is doing the right things. So what is it, am I on the wrong slope, do I need to be patient and let my skills build, or am I missing something? Respectfully,

Jack & Frappe, you both make excellent points. Loose (sloppy/over flexy) bindings/boots are downright scary. But if you're not in extrodinary shape (physical condition), something has to assist w/ shock absorption. As an armchair-wish-board-designer, it would be easy to say, "why don't they just build dampening systems in boards like they've been doing w/ skis for years?" Of course the answer is... it's coming (sounds like Bruce & Jacey are heading in that direction). And I think it's safe to say that even though the technology for ski dampening has been around for many years, the width of a board makes application of the same tech difficult at best. At any rate, I can't wait for new technology to make it's way to my feet. Good luck to Jacey, Kris and the other Nor-Am riders!! p.s. I AM in extrordinary shape! (don't forget, ROUND is a shape :) )

Check out the skin "snowboarding 02" on the MECA website http://www.meca.com/website/us/en/BrowseSkins.jsp?id=9&tts=2 What I'd like to look like when I look like that!! p.s. MECA (May Everyone Communicate Always) is an online messenger like AOL but it interfaces with all online chat formats (AOL, MSN, Yahoo, ICQ & HipWave) Regards!

A couple more US sites that have Dainese products: www.the-raceplace.com www.race-werks.com

Slight correction trikerdad, I'm a druggist, but as Rx Mgr. at Safeway on Pine St., not Walgreens ;). Ar(angel, drop me a line. I'll go up most Fri. PM's, Sundays, and Mondays through late Feb. And other days as time allows. Also will be up this Thurs. (1/13) leaving RDG around 2:30-3PM. 'Tis a small world!!

My daughter and I are both carving and racing, and having a blast!! What a great way to spend family time. Here's a pic of her last year as a freshman high school racer:

Good question, happens to me on occasion also, especially on longer replies. I always attributed to my being lost in thought while typing or the fact that I'm at work and my customers taking priority over my finger-dribbling. Open for suggestions also.

Sounds like a great deal, I'll have to look into that.

Hi Bill, Dan from Redding. Depending on the weather, I might make it up Sunday. And also depending on the weather, we have a high school race on monday 1/10. Don't know if I'll have time on Monday (co-coaching this race), but would like to hook up w/ you and Mr. Colavito. I'll be on my new-to-me FCII. If you want, call on FRS 3-14 for "Sandman". On Monday look for me around the finsh house, I'll probably have a puple shasta hat on. We monitor FRS 3-14 for the team also. On slope, look for the portly guy with a teenage daughter - both on hard boots. Hope to see you!! Sandman

Nice article Randy!! I use an ear bud for my FRS to communicate with the team/kids/other riders - works ok, but ear hurts after a while, and it's a pain to mic the little button w/ gloves on. I like the idea of integration of tech. Can't wait to see and use the upcoming developments!!

Wow!! Just goes to show there's nothing like a dinghy of ingenuity and a freightliner of desire! Just want to say hats off to Fergie, MADD, Donek, BOL and any others out there bustin' there knuckles to promote and proliferate the tools that let us do what we love to do!!

I know it's a bit early, and I also posted on tahoecarvers.com, but: Any suggestions: I'm looking for a quality (and relatively reasonable?) race camp that my 16 y.o. daughter and I can go to this summer (go figure, I'm not real gung-ho about sending my daughter off by herself to a camp!) If any one has any experience with any of the camps that would accommodate dad & daughter, or any suggestions I would appreciate it.

Fin, Sean M., or whoever, I just bought a Donek FC II 179 from Doug Dryer (he's out of town for a couple weeks - thus this post). It is white/off white with "BOMBERonline" and "THE HORSE" printed beneath the top coat. What can you tell me of the board and what does "The Horse" refer to?? Can't wait to ride it!!

When you discharge your patients, send 'em my way. I'll be here pushing pills through Monday. But it beats fighting the masses at the lake this weekend. saving lives and stomping out disease..............

Mt. Shasta Board & Ski Park (even the name is great!) in Superior California offers $199 prior to July 31, then $249 until mid Sept. (kids are less than $50!) Small but decent area, with more & more hard boots each year (many CNISSF high schools race and train here). p.s. nekdut - I grew up near June Mt. - it is still my favorite place to ride. Here's the stinger: in the 70's & 80's, the mountain offered all elementary and high school students in the county daily tickets at $1.00 (one dollar) per day including holidays!! Ahhhh, those were the days! :) Can't wait for the snow!!

Mt. Shasta Board & Ski Park (even the name is great!) in Superior California offers $199 prior to July 31, then $249 until mid Sept. (kids are less than $50!) Small but decent area, with more & more hard boots each year (many CNISSF high schools race and train here). p.s. nekdut - I grew up near June Mt. - it is still my favorite place to ride. Here's the stinger: in the 70's & 80's, the mountain offered all elementary and high school students in the county daily tickets at $1.00 (one dollar) per day including holidays!! Ahhhh, those were the days! :) Can't wait for the snow!!

Street carvers (cycles & asst. boards) are an absolute rush, but I'm a wus and don't like leaving my skin on the pavement! And I know fuel prices are enough to make you want a horse, but does anyone else get their turns on a PWC (person water craft)? I bought my first Kawi JS440 in '86 and can't imagine summer without one. No, it doesn't perfectly replicate snowriding, but it's a total kick in the shorts and rarely hurts when you fall. Wish I wasn't workin'!

Ditto!! See above

I figure if you're sliding down a hill that's covered with white stuff - even if it's with a plastic garbage bag under your rear - that's what it's all about. I've skied for over 30 years, ridden freestyle for 3 years and hard boot carved for 2 years. Also throw in some tele action (yes even bumps & jumps), sleds, tobogans (sp?), saucers, innertubes, ski boots, Sorels, shovels, ...you get the picture! I may ride my alpine board today, maybe my skis tomorrow (if it was winter:( ) or maybe ski in the AM, board in the PM, whatever. It's all about having fun, and being with other people who are having fun! I would hope to see more people saying "great man, I'm glad your ripping on the twin sticks!" and "yo, you ripped the limbo at SES", or whatever. Chill on the slamming and focus on the fun of the sport we all enjoy. If you aint havin fun, it aint worth doin!!! Ride on p.s. Warren Miller a few years back, was trying to address both skiing and snowboarding, skiblading and all the others. He decided to make it easy and call it "Snowriding". Not a bad idea!

Rookies! '63 Chevy P/U & '72 Dodge Charger. The Chevy was purchased new in '63 by my dad. It was his daily driver/work truck until he gave it to my wife and I in '85. That makes it 19 years proper, and quite a few more if you add the years I rode in or drove it prior. The Charger was 9 years old when my wife bought it as her first car in 1981. That makes for 23 years for her/us. Both great vehicles with well over 300k on both. We have other daily drivers (newer) but these two are both road worthy. My wife is overseeing the construction of a new detached garage for us that will soon offer the area to give both Old Detroits some well deserverd TLC that will put them back to the top of their game. It's all about the metal!

timinor & philfell, thanks for the candid replies. no offense taken - this is the info we were looking for. fortunately, she has a great head on her shoulders, and knows that having fun riding is what really matters. in the mean time we'll keep surfing the threads and waiting for the next round of snowfall. hope to hike Mt. Lassen and ride the East slope and possibly do Red Banks on Mt. Shasta this summer. Ride on!

Thanks for the info! I've enjoyed it so far.

My daughter placed 16th in our state high school championships this year. Not too shabby for her first year racing, and her first year on an alpine set up (Oxygen board w/ Burton bindings and Raichle boots)! She has a great attitude and a strong desire to go for it. She has contacted Burton and Rossignol regarding sponsorship, but since they have both stopped making our type of equipment, she would like to find other options. Do any of you veterans know of any vendors or better yet specific contacts that we might pursue to give this aspiring champion a lift? I appreciate your feedback.

I bought a used K2 Skinny - does anybody know any thing about this board - good or bad??

As a newbie to the sight, I must say it's great to see so much interest in our fine sport. My high school age daughter finished 16th in the state championships in super slalom this year. I felt this was awesome considering this was her first year of racing and her first year on a race board (Oxygen w/ Burton bindings and Raichle boots)!! She has contacted Burton and Rossignol in regards to sponsorship. Since both are no longer making race/carving gear, do any of you veterans have suggestions on other vendors or better yet specific contacts we might persue?