dmc Posted February 1, 2011 Report Share Posted February 1, 2011 I'm doing my CASI Level 1 certification next weekend at a tiny bump of a hill in Southern Ontario. Though I'm not foolish enough to show up with a carving board, the hard boots are super comfortable with step-in convenience—surely a benefit with the (lack of) vertical around here and the many lift rides. Would it be silly to attempt the course in hard boots with low angles on, say, a freeride board like my Donek Incline? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueB Posted February 1, 2011 Report Share Posted February 1, 2011 I did all of my certification on hard boots. L1 was relativelly easy, L2 was hard. Here is an old thread about L1: http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=13646 Incline would work great, or even a softer board if you had any. Lowest angles you can handle, lots of splay. Softest h/bots, or not fully tensioned buckles. Floppiest bindings you've got. Unlearn carving and aggression for a while. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmc Posted February 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2011 Interesting. I figured I'd have to unlearn a lot of the carve/race style to conform to the CASI standard. I guess I'll bring the hard boots and run small angles. I have m24.5 feet so on my Donek Incline I can run a pretty sideways stance without a crazy amount of overhang. I'll keep the softies in the car just in case... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmc Posted February 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 Quick update, in case anyone care. I just finished the Level 1 course with flying colours. Only thing is, I had to switch to soft boots after the first day to do it. I found it extremely difficult to demonstrate the exaggerated amount of flexion in hard boots (granted though, my UPZ RC-10s are about as stiff as they come). And even with a relatively soft and wide Coiler AM and Donek Incline, detuning to demonstrate beginner and novice turns was a challenge. Like trying to drive a Ferrari below the speed limit—much easier to go slow in a Kia Rio, no detuning needed. The fall-line edge change component in the QuickRide system involves riding switch for half the exercise. (This is supposedly relatively new? Added within the last few years?) Duck stance actually made this part much easier. Overall, it was a great experience. My evaluator had plate/race experience and I'm now a much better hard AND soft boot carver because of it. Now on to Level 2... p.s. Has anyone ever taken the Plate Riding Improvement Session? Good for a range of race/free carve abilities? There's one coming up next month at Tremblant, and one in April at Sunshine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kinpa Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 Sorry to hear you caved in and got on the soft boots BUT Congrats on passing!!!! I attended an AASI Level 2 prep last week and made it though to lunch of the second and final day before I gave up on that. Just not worth the hassle. The clinicians are supposed to send me feedback in the mail. I should probably have a drink or two before I read it! I guess I'm pretty much done with AASI at this point. Next time I have to do a clinic for update credits, I'll probably just get on my skis and do an alpine clinic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RideGuy Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 I've taught quite a few beginner lessons in hard boots. With low angles and putting the boots in walk mode I was always able to detune to where I can easily do beginner turns. If you can't get both lower angles and softer boots you are going to have trouble. Like BlueB I am also a CASI 2 and hardboots only. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmc Posted February 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 Thanks. I'm almost thinking about getting another set of softer hard boots specifically for instructing, low-performance, and powder days. (HSPs? I have wide feet.) The UPZ RC-10s combined with my light weight (145 lbs) make for one crazy stiff—but super supportive—setup. Great for railing the crap out of the hill, but not so great, it seems, for relaxed detuned riding. I'm pretty sure with my m24.5 feet I can achieve super low angles... I guess I just didn't want to blow it and eventually caved. The evaluator, however, was impressed at my ability to ride both styles proficiently. It was a great course, and really helped solidify in my mind the distinct techniques of carving on soft/duck stance vs hard/forward angles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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