SWriverstone Posted February 5, 2005 Report Share Posted February 5, 2005 So my girlfriend Holly was incredibly frustrated last night. Conditions were icy, and she sideslipped down the mountain on her heelside. Nothing I could say or do convinced her to keep trying. The "problem" is that she's been exposed to carving (even though she's on a freestyle board). She's been listening to me pontificate about carving technique (as if I knew anything)...and the end result is that she now thinks carving is what she must do! So she was disgusted with all her sideslipping last night. One potential solution I thought of was to suggest Holly just be a "normal" snowboarder---turn her bindings back to F10/R-10 and just be one of the "happy sideslipping masses!" Alas---I don't think it will work. In the short time since I've discovered carving, she's become convinced that carving is superior, and sideslipping is for morons. This isn't due to anything I've said. (Really!) Rather, Holly (like me) has arrived at the conclusion that sideslipping is just noisy, inefficient, and gross! (Sort of like an ice skater skidding around the rink sideways.) What should I do? :) I know---going somewhere where she can take lessons from a carver would be a good start...but then she'd have to have carving gear, right? Or are there any carving instructors who will teach the basics to someone on a freestyle board? Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Houghton Posted February 5, 2005 Report Share Posted February 5, 2005 She needs a gentle, consistent slope that's NOT icy so that she can practice. Most people forget technique and go into survivial mode when it's icy, even if they are good intermediate carvers. It should not be a surprise that she reverts to what she knows, even if she desperately wants to do better - it's called self preservation. Give her time, and maybe a lesson, and the right environment, and she will excel because she has the desire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack M Posted February 5, 2005 Report Share Posted February 5, 2005 Originally posted by SWriverstone carving is superior, and sideslipping is for morons. quote of the month! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWriverstone Posted February 5, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2005 Uh-oh Jack...you'll have all those jib kids pounding on my door and breaking my windows! :) Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobdea Posted February 5, 2005 Report Share Posted February 5, 2005 I highly doubt that the jib kids would take the time to put down the bong to come harass you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Randy S. Posted February 5, 2005 Report Share Posted February 5, 2005 Originally posted by SWriverstone So my girlfriend #1 NEVER EVER TRY TO TEACH YOUR S.O. TO SKI/SNOWBOARD. Yes, I'm shouting for a reason. This is a golden rule of relationships (at least ones you want to last). she's become convinced that carving is superior, and sideslipping is for morons. Clearly this is a smart girl - one you want to hang on to - see #1 above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike T Posted February 6, 2005 Report Share Posted February 6, 2005 Gotta agree with Randy, she's a keeper. Do whatever it takes to get through this rough patch! As far as teaching your SO to ride... I would recommend the following: Pay for her to take some lessons to get started. Then you can help her improve from there, *if that's what she wants*. My wife started snowboarding (soft boots) before I did; I took a couple lessons to get started and she helped me progress from there. Later, I started hard booting... this year my wife and I went to the same carve camp. She was in the Intro group and I was in the Other group, which worked out well. I help her along (when she wants help) now that she's gotten a good start and it's working quite well. 3 days of carving together post-camp and not a single argument! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Winters Posted February 6, 2005 Report Share Posted February 6, 2005 "To skid is human, to carve, divine." You know, this is an interesting thread. A question I've always wanted to ask, and maybe a whole new thread is warranted, but -- do you know people who have tried to carve, and I mean really tried, and just don't get it? I have had a few guys take up the sport, and really give it the old college try, and they just can't commit to the turn and really tip it over. One guy is still trying, I bet he's ridden plates 30 times, and I can't get him to lay it over. Anybody else seen this behavior?? Of course, I'm not an instructor, other than to say, "tip it and trust it", but sheeesh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boostertwo Posted February 6, 2005 Report Share Posted February 6, 2005 Originally posted by SWriverstone ...she now thinks carving is what she must do! So she was disgusted with all her sideslipping last night. Sorry to hear about Holly's frustration. It might be helpful to let her know that skidding is as important as carving: truly versatile riders do <i>both</i>. There are situations where a skidded turn is much more appropriate that a carved turn (big steep bumps, steep tight trees, ultra-steep chutes, spraying your friends, etc.). I think most riders on this forum would agree that it takes a fair amount of skill and experience to rip arcs in icy conditions, and that skidding is a good tactic for people who may not yet have the skill or experience to carve on bulletproof snow. Skidding turns is also good in crowds. <b>One potential solution I thought of was to suggest Holly just be a "normal" snowboarder---turn her bindings back to F10/R-10 and just be one of the "happy sideslipping masses!"</b>You <i>can</i> carve with low stance angles. <img src="http://tinypic.com/1jthkn"> Originally posted by SWriverstone What should I do? :) I know---going somewhere where she can take lessons from a carver would be a good start...but then she'd have to have carving gear, right? Or are there any carving instructors who will teach the basics to someone on a freestyle board? By all means she can take a carving lesson in softboots. You stand an excellent chance of riding in a small (or no) group in a carving lesson. She'll quickly catch a carve buzz, and the concepts and exercises she learns will be applicable in hard boots, too. OR, better still, take her on a vacation to an uncrowded carving mecca with packed powder (not ice) and you're both in for big fun! She'll be way stoked!!! So will you!!! Mi unsolicited dos centavos. B-2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philistine Posted February 6, 2005 Report Share Posted February 6, 2005 Whether you're jibbing , skidding or carving try to enjoy yourself. I remember my first four years of snowboarding, a beater board, crappy boots and crappy bindings, black and blue butt, the best time i'd ever had. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWriverstone Posted February 6, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2005 LOL---thanks for all the good words and advice! Actually, I haven't really been teaching Holly to snowboard...we've more or less been learning together, helping each other out. I've passed on some of the things I've read here (and on other carving sites), but that's about it. A lesson or two would definitely be good...along with a trip to someplace where there is actually snow on the slopes (see my Mid-Atlantic Resort Conditions Glossary thread). She is a keeper though. :) Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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