SNOWBOARD
SHERRI HARKIN
HELP BEGINNERS:
STRAP IN BOTH FEET SOONER FOR A BETTER CONNECTION TO RIDING By Jordan Lea
“ phrase than I’d like to count, and it’s because their instructors W
likely spend a little too much time on one- footed exercises upfront. Snowboarding is often more difficult than novices imagine, and while we can’t influence their preconceptions before a lesson, instructors can certainly influence their first hour on a snowboard. Te first lesson is crucial; don’t let it be dominated by one-footed riding! One-footed riding skills are important, but I find it’s one of the last things new riders become comfortable with. Simply watch snowboarders struggling to ride off a lift for a few minutes: chances are, many will look a lot more competent once they strap in both feet and head off to green,
blue, or even black terrain. Why? Because one-footed riding is hard. It is a challenge to remain in a centered, athletic stance with only one foot strapped in, because our back foot is not able to effectively help our board tilt and twist. Even the act of moving the back foot from the snow to the sweet spot on the board without doing the splits or toppling over is a challenge for many. Tis can be one of the biggest dilemmas
instructors face when teaching beginners: one-footed riding tends to be harder than two-footed riding, but you need to teach it before moving on with a lesson. When taught effectively, one-footed riding is
hen are we actually going to start snowboarding?” In the decade or so I’ve spent instructing, I’ve overheard more frustrated beginners utter this
a great way to introduce never-evers to sliding on snow – it allows them to explore balance and edging with the psychological comfort of having a liberated foot to plant in the snow if they feel overwhelmed. And let’s face it: you don’t want to be that instructor whose students are causing the lift stoppages all afternoon after they spent the morning with you. However, instructors tend to belabor one-footed riding, teaching it for too long on terrain that is too challenging. Tis essential component of snowboarding can be taught effectively and quickly if you can find the appropriate terrain and focus on a few simple movements.
FLAT TERRAIN FOR FLAT BOARDS Once you’ve helped students determine their front foot (goofy or regular) and strap it in, find the flattest terrain possible to
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