Category Archives: Snowboard Gear Reviews

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Learn How To Snowboard Tips to Respond to Weather

Blake Tholen Clark Certified Snowboard Instructor, Flowing Freeride Online Snowboard School, Free Snowboarding Lessons, From Your Snowboard Coach, Snowboard Gear Reviews, Snowboarding Tips, , , , , , , , ,

Weather is a huge part of winter sports and snowboarding. This snowboard tutorial will go over Tips to Respond to Winter Weather. I watch the weather and plan my snowboard day according to the weather. Other Snowboard Videos on YouTube & Flowing Freeride teach how to pick the right snowboard gear best for you and drills to improve your skills. You’ll have access to all our snowboard tutorials when you sign up that cover every step and feedback from your coach. We also have some free snowboard videos to prepare for snowboard safety on our YouTube Page. I recommend watching these snowboard videos;  Beginner Snowboard Lesson on Steering, Toeside Heelside Stance, Learn How To Ride The Lifts Safely, How to Snowboard: Balance Twist, Beginner Snowboard Stance, Snowboard Pads, Snowboard Training Hill, Demo Boards, Snowboard Camber, Building Rhythm, Snowboard Freestyle Boards, Snowboard Dynamic Flex & Extend, How To Size Your Snowboard.Responsibility Code #1, Snowboard Responsibility Code #2, Snowboard Responsibility Code #3, Responsibility Code #4 Look Uphill, Snowboard Responsibility Code # 5, #6 Obey All Signs, Snowboard Responsibility Code #7, Funnel Turns For Navigating Obstacles & Snowboarding Moguls.

Respond to weather by being prepared. It’s a good idea to look at the weather conditions and the temperatures this way you know what to expect. It’s easier to take layers off than to put layers on. If it’s a cold day bring a few extra layers. If it starts getting too warm for you, you can start layering them off. If it’s a cold day and you don’t have more layers you’re kind of out of luck. You might miss some epic runs if you’re in the lodge warming up during a cold day or in blizzard conditions. I love snowboarding in a blizzard because every run I get freshies and there is a ton of powder!

The snow reflects the Sun Rays 10 times so you can really get sunburned out there. You want to have the proper protection for your skin by wearing waterproof clothing or snowboard pants and a coat. A lot of people don’t think about their eyes. They can get sun burned or wind burned by the elements. It’s a great idea to have some type of eye protection like goggles or sunglasses when you’re out on the mountain. You’ll enjoy snowboarding much more if you don’t injure yourself by not having the proper equipment.

A lot of snowboard and ski clothes have vents. You can open your vents to cool you off if you’re getting too hot. Most vents are going to be under your arms on your jackets or between your legs on snowboard pants. Your head is where you lose the most heat. I always recommend that you keep your helmet on while riding. If it’s too hot, stop, pull off the side of the run where you can be seen from above and do not obstruct the trail. You’ll cool down much quicker if you take your hat or helmet off. It’s best if you can just get to the chairlift and take your helmet or hat off on the chairlift ride up.

Have waterproof gloves or mitten on cold days. Mittens will keep your hands warmer and gloves cooler. I wear spring gloves or pipe gloves when the weather is warm. You can get ice burns if you don’t wear them so have lighter gloves and hotter days. If you want to ride better and learn more snowboard weather tips, sign up for a lesson with me and use my online school to get you to Ride Right™! Get Hooked On Snowboarding with Snowboardclass/Flowing Freeride’s techniques by going back to other snowboard videos that teach how to improve your skills, improve your knowledge on equipment, safety, terrain and weather. You can sign up for the full course to gain access to all of our snowboard lessons, study guides, textbooks, glossary, tests and direct feedback from your coach. Learn to snowboard online with flowingfreeride.com and take a look at our YouTube Page for more free content and learn to snowboard right! My name is Blake Tholen Clark Contact Me if you want to book a lesson or have any questions about Snowboarding.

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Snowboard Avalanche Resources

Awe-Inspiring Snowboarding Videos, Blake Tholen Clark Certified Snowboard Instructor, Flowing Freeride Online Snowboard School, Free Snowboarding Lessons, From Your Snowboard Coach, Snowboard Gear Reviews, Snowboarding Tips, , , , , , , , , , ,

This online snowboard lesson will give Safety Tips For Snowboarding Avalanche Conditions. There is nothing better when snowboard conditions are full of deep powder. These conditions provide soft fluffy SuperHero Snow. These conditions make for epic days but all that snow can cause avalanches. I’ll give you some snowboard tips to help you scope out sketchy terrain. Other Snowboard Videos on YouTube & Flowing Freeride teach how to pick the right snowboard gear best for you and drills to improve your skills. You’ll have access to all our snowboard tutorials when you sign up that cover every step and feedback from your coach. We also have some free snowboard videos to prepare for snowboard safety on our YouTube Page. I recommend watching these snowboard videos;  Building Rhythm, Advanced Snowboarding Getting Air, Superman Eruo Carves, Snowboard Dynamic Flex & Extend, Advance Snowboard Lesson: Dropping Cliffs, Snowboarding Off Piste, Snowboarding Chutes, Snowboard Lesson Navigating Trees & Obstacles, Active Passive Absorption, Eruo Surfer Carves, Basics For Freestyle Features, Advance Snowboard Carving: Surfer Turns & Grab Carves, Snowboard Responsibility Code #1, Snowboard Responsibility Code #2, Snowboard Responsibility Code #3, Responsibility Code #4 Look Uphill, Snowboard Responsibility Code # 5, #6 Obey All Signs, Snowboard Responsibility Code #7,Funnel Turns For Navigating Obstacles & Snowboarding Moguls.

It’s September 8, 2020 and I woke up to cold weather and snow covered mountain tops today. This is the first snow of the 2020-21 snowboard season! It’s time to get you boards out and start to tune and wax them. Winter will be here soon. If you’re like me you’ll be wanting to get as soon as there’s enough snow accumulation to ride. I know it’s tempting to go out in the backcountry to get those early freshies. Be cautious because we had several early slides last season that took a few snowboarder’s lives. You need to have some basic skills on how to survey mountain avalanche terrain. Watch this snowboard video 30º Slopes In Backcountry.

Slides occur when there is a layer of Faceted Snow or a weak layer of snow. There is a science to this. If the snow melts or heats up then cools down and freezes it creates a layer of snow that when new snow packs up that layer can fail and slide. There have been many winter sports Olympic athletes that have been caught in avalanches and been killed. A lot of people just don’t know the dangers of being in the backcountry. There is avalanche equipment like airbags, beacons, probes, shovels, snow saws and ropes that can help save lives when used correctly. 

Avalanche awareness is a backcountry essential skill. If I’m traveling somewhere in the snowboard season, I really watch their avalanche reports. This lets me know what the layers are underneath when I get there. Here in the United States we have the Avalanche Center and the National Forest Service that provide avalanche reports that are posted for those areas. It’s a good idea to take a look at those reports especially if you’re going to be traveling to that area. Watch in advance so that you know what the layers are and when you arrive there. I like to build a snow pit and do tests on the layers of snow. It’s a good idea to take an avalanche course. That gives you the knowledge of what snow layers are like. 

If you’re out there and you dig a pit you see a layer of snow at the very bottom, that’s icy the layers on top are probably going to slide. If you’re out in the snow covered mountain and you see failures on the slopes or cracks that means they’re about ready to slide. Stay away from those slopes. It’s a really good idea to actually pay attention to these avalanche reports and the weather reports so that you know what kind of conditions they’re going to be when you get to that resort.

The biggest Red Flag of Avalanches is seeing other avalanches. If you want to ride better and learn more snowboard safety, sign up for a lesson with me and use my online school to get you to Ride Right™! Get Hooked On Snowboarding with Snowboardclass/Flowing Freeride’s techniques by going back to other snowboard videos that teach how to improve your skills, improve your knowledge on equipment, safety, terrain and weather. You can sign up for the full course to gain access to all of our snowboard lessons, study guides, textbooks, glossary, tests and direct feedback from your coach. Learn to snowboard online with flowingfreeride.com and take a look at our YouTube Page for more free content and learn to snowboard right! My name is Blake Tholen Clark Contact Me if you want to book a lesson or have any questions about Snowboarding.

 

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Preparation Routines For The Snowboard Season

Awe-Inspiring Snowboarding Videos, Blake Tholen Clark Certified Snowboard Instructor, Flowing Freeride Online Snowboard School, Free Snowboarding Lessons, From Your Snowboard Coach, Snowboard Gear Reviews, Snowboarding Tips, , , , , , , , ,

Some of the best prep routines to prepare for the snowboard season are doing things that keep your body in shape. That means going to the gym, working out, eating right and getting enough sleep. I like to work out doing at least 30 minutes of cardio and then 30 minutes of weight training. I’ve found this makes me feel the best and prepares me to be strong and healthy for the snowboard season. Working out is great but you want to eat well too. I like to take vitamin C and fish oil. Fish oil lubricates my joints and makes me able to move more fluidly because of that oil and it’s good for you. If you’re not sure what vitamins or supplements you like try taking them the night before and if you wake up feeling good then use it. If you wake up feeling hungover or groggy then it’s not for you. You’ll want to burn as many or more calories that  you intake. Staying fit will keep you moving well.

I drink lots of water so that I stay hydrated and it keeps my joints and muscles healthy. If you don’t drink enough water your muscles can cramp and cause injury. You want to Stay Snowboard Fit To Prevent Injuries. When you’re snowboarding up in the mountains you need to drink lots of water and it helps with elevation sickness. Eat healthy, choosing foods that don’t have tons of saturated fat or high fructose corn syrup. Most places I’ve lived outside of the US do not put corn syrup into their Foods because it’s bad for you and their governments pay for their health care so they want their citizens to be healthy. Try to avoid corn syrup and other additives that are put in foods in the US. Eating foods that are made fresh with fresh ingredients is a big plus.

Sleep is so important you want to get at least seven and a half hours per night. The older you get the more rest you need. Getting enough sleep will allow your body to repair and your mind to rest as well. You would think that sleeping is easy but a lot of us are very busy and sometimes it’s hard to get that much sleep. When you have enough time to sleep your body heals, you’re rested and it causes less stress. Sleeping will be very beneficial in multiple ways but the biggest is it creates a stress free environment. Your body and mind will be able to function at the highest ability level and you’ll feel great. Get your sleep to fill the best. 

Take care of your equipment by Waxing Your Snowboard and keeping the edges sharp. I will sharpen my edges first and then clean off the metal. You don’t want little pieces of metal getting into your wax so sharpen first, clean it off and then wax. I will wax my snowboard at the beginning of the day. That way the snowboard has dried, is warm not cold and it’s a better result. Repair Your Snowboard When You Hit Rocks & Get Core Shots. This will keep water from getting into your core and ruining your snowboard. At the end of your snowboard day dry your boots, gloves and other clothing to eliminate bacteria and mildew. I shower at the end of the day too to get rid of sweat from a hard day of ripping. 

I like to wake up earlier in the morning because if you’re just moping around or sleeping too much you can get depressed so try to stay active. It’s good to have a good routine of getting up earlier and going to bed earlier that gives you more time in the day to do things. Sunlight can affect how you feel so if you can be out during the morning and in the sunlight it will make your body feel better because you’re getting more vitamin D. It gives you more time to do things during the day. You’ll have more energy. You’ll be able to go to the gym, outdoors, hiking, biking, fishing or do any other outdoor recreation.

There’s been a lot of snow in early-season the last two seasons and I’ve been able to hike in October. Take Your Rock Board Out In Roctober. The best way to get into snowboard shape is to snowboard. No matter how much working out you do at the gym, mountain biking, street biking, running or hiking does not compare to just actually snowboarding. As soon as there is enough snow in the mountains start hiking and getting on your board. When my joints and muscles are sore I like to sit in the hot tub or steam room to help repair and to take care of my body.

Eat right, take healthy supplements, get enough sleep, eliminate stress out of your life, workout and keep a balance between work and family life. Drink plenty of water, stay healthy, it will keep you younger, and it will keep you moving. You don’t want to stagnate and not move that’s when you get a lot more injuries. If you have a desk job make sure that you get up, walk around, move and let the blood flow. They say that a huge health problem is that people sit at their desks and don’t walk around. The new cancer is the desk job where you don’t do anything but sit at your desk. You need to get up periodically and move around so the blood flows through your body and to your brain. These are some simple prep routines that you can take to help you become a healthier better snowboarder.  The article is published sportsmd.com.

Get Hooked On Snowboarding with Flowing Freeride’s techniques by signing up for the full course to gain access to all of our snowboard lessons, study guides, textbooks, glossary, tests and direct feedback from your coach. Learn to snowboard online with flowingfreeride.com and take a look at our YouTube Page for more free content and learn to snowboard right! My name is Blake Tholen Clark contact me if you want to book a lesson or have any questions about Snowboarding. Hope you like the quick read on snowboard prep routines  and look forward to seeing you out on the mountain!

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How To Pick the Right Size Snowboard

Blake Tholen Clark Certified Snowboard Instructor, Flowing Freeride Online Snowboard School, Free Snowboarding Lessons, From Your Snowboard Coach, Snowboard Gear Reviews, Snowboarding Tips, , , , , , , ,

This online snowboard lesson will go over How To Pick the Right Size Snowboard. You want to have a snowboard that isn’t too tall or too short. This is a great time to get your snowboard. The new 2020 snowboards are out on the sales floor. There are a lot of factors you want to consider when picking a snowboard. There are different styles of snowboarding and riding types. Watch this snowboard tutorial on 3 Types of Snowboarding to get a feel of what type of rider you are. Other Snowboard Videos on YouTube & Flowing Freeride teach how to pick the right snowboard gear best for you. You’ll have access to all our snowboard tutorials when you signup that cover every step and feedback from your coach. We also have some free snowboard videos to prepare for snowboard safety on our YouTube Page. I recommend watching these snowboard videos; Beginner Snowboard Lesson on Steering, Toeside Heelside Stance, Learn How To Ride The Lifts Safely, How To Twist & Flex Your Snowboard, Snowboard Pads, Snowboard Training Hill, What To Wear Snowboarding, & Basic Carving: Circle Drills. 

I like to say that the best way to size your board is for it to between your chest to nose. Sometimes a snowboard that only goes to your chest is too small. There are times that a board to your nose is too small. The best way to size your snowboard is to use an algorithm that calculates your weight. When your weight increases the size of your snowboard increments in the same direction. The more you weight the bigger or longer your snowboard should be. When you snowboard you want to be able to float on the snow especially in powder conditions. If you don’t have enough surface area the snowboard will sink and floating or surfing the snow is something that makes snowboarding so cool. Ripping powder on the right size board is something you’ll never forget.

There are boards that have different levels of flex. Some snowboards have a different shape of sidecut. There are flex patterns or the camber shape of your snowboard from tip to tail. As a beginner you want soft flex with a twin tip shape or sidecut. The soft flex is more forgiving helping with balance. The twin tip will let you go in both directions symmetrically or goofy and regular the same way balanced. The camber should be flat or reversed camber to prevent hard edge changes or catching an edge. The board should be a little more smaller or shorter to help the beginner to maneuver the board easier that a longer snowboard. As you move up in your skills to intermediate to advanced you might want a longer, stiffer board with a directional sidecut. Depending on the style of your riding will be the type, length, shape & size of your snowboard.

I was up hiking today at Ata, Utah and the snow is amazing with powder conditions. I was on a wider board. It helps me to  be able to get a higher edge angle without booting out. Booting out is when your feet hang over you board. If you have larger feet thinner boards can cause boot out lifting your board off the snow and usually results in a crash. A wider snowboard also allows you to float in the snow with more surface area. The cons to a wide board is that it weighs more and it takes more time to switch from edge to edge. That makes me feel like I’m snowboarding a wee bit slower but it does prevent boot outs when I’m laying down huge carves on groomers. There are a lot of variables when you buying a snowboard but a good rule of thumb is between your chest and chin. I like to sometimes ride a snowboard up to my nose especially to deep powdery conditions. This video will help you keep your snowboard running fast How To Wax Your Snowboard.

You can learn more by watching  How To Pick the Right Size Snowboard and get Hooked On Snowboarding with Snowboardclass/Flowing Freeride’s techniques so go back to other snowboard videos that teach how to improve your skills. You can signup for the full course to gain access to all of our snowboard lessons, study guides, textbooks, glossary, tests and direct feedback from your coach. Learn to snowboard online with flowingfreeride.com and take a look at our YouTube Page for more free content and learn to snowboard right! My name is Blake Tholen Clark Contact Me if you want to book a lesson or have any questions about Snowboarding.

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Learn About Snowboard Camber Technology

Blake Tholen Clark Certified Snowboard Instructor, Flowing Freeride Online Snowboard School, Free Snowboarding Lessons, From Your Snowboard Coach, Snowboard Gear Reviews, Snowboarding Tips, , , , , , , , , , ,

This online snowboard lesson will go over Snowboard Camber Technology. The shape of you snowboard is the camber and the shape of your edge is your side cut. There are different types of camber shapes. There are regular shaped, reverse, hybrid and flat camber shapes. Flat and reverse shape camber are better for beginners or park riders because that shape makes it harder for you to catch edges. Regular and hybrid shaped camber are more responsive and better for holding edges for riding the whole mountain. Snowboard technologies like camber will help you ride your snowboard better with efficient movements. Other Snowboard Videos on YouTube & Flowing Freeride go over proper snowboard alignements, movements & techniques to get you flowing with freestyle rhythm. You’ll have access to all our snowboard tutorials when you signup that cover every step and feedback from your coach. We also have some free snowboard videos to prepare for snowboard safety on our YouTube Page. I recommend watching these snowboard videos; Building Rhythm, Advanced Snowboarding Getting Air, Snowboard Dynamic Flex & Extend, Advance Snowboard Lesson: Dropping Cliffs, Snowboarding Off Piste, Snowboarding Chutes, Snowboard Lesson Navigating Trees & Obstacles, Active Passive Absorption, Upper/Lower Body Separation, Basic Carving: Circle Drills, Basics For Freestyle Features, Advance Snowboard Carving: Surfer Turns & Grab Carves, Funnel Turns For Navigating Obstacles, Snowboard Jibbing & Snowboarding Moguls. Learn to snowboard online with flowingfreeride.com, Take Our Placement Quiz, take a look at Our Blog for more free content, and Learn To Snowboard Right!

I love what snowboarding has brought to our winter mountains. One technology is the shape of your snowboard. Snowboarders shaped the board like a bow. When you pull back the bow it flexes and then when you release it creates a pop generating a lot of energy that is forced shooting the arrow out. What is so cool about snowboarding is that we can move fore and aft on the board and create pop. Skiers can’t do that. They are fixed on one ski with one foot. We can move fore and aft along our board to create the magic of pop. Camber technology is really intensified in our sport. Skiers can’t butter and spin like us because we can change our pivot points much easier than skiers. They have to spin from the center of their skis and god bless them, but they can’t do what snowboarders do because they don’t have two feet on one board. Camber is a fun technology that makes snowboarding skiing tons of fun and if you know how to use it if can be like unlocking a cheat code to a video game.

There are different types of camber shapes that if used correctly the snowboard snaps and reacts to providing maximum energy. Regular camber or traditional camber has a convex rise in the center. Reverse camber, banana or rocker camber is just the opposite of the that. Flat camber is just that flat and no shape. Then there are different kinds of hybrid cambers usually having regular camber under your feet and reverse between and tip/tail to foot. That’s great to know so how will that help you? If you like to ride park or a beginner then a flat or reverse camber snowboard will help you out because they’re more forgiving. The shape makes them harder to catch edges but out on the steep mountain it’s hard to hold the edge and they spin out more often. Riding the pipe and steep runs you’ll want to have a regular camber or hybrid camber shaped board. The reverse combo helps you float on the snow but I really love riding regular camber boards to rip through my turns keeping my speed.

I suggest you go out and demo boards to give you different options. While you ride other boards with different camber shape really push your riding skills to the limits. That’s how you’ll know what is different about the boards. While at the Rider Rally 2018 at Abasin we had Never Summer and Burton come out and did demos. I tired the new step on system. I got stuck to it and we had to pull out the screw driver to get be out. The boards were great and it was supper stoke to ride so many different boards. Find what shape of camber you like and start ripping! You can practice efficiently and get Hooked On Snowboarding with Snowboardclass/FlowingFreeride’s techniques so go back to other snowboard videos that teach you about other snowboard equipment. You can signup to get access to all of our snowboard lessons, study guides, textbooks, glossary, tests and direct feedback from your coach. Learn to snowboard online with flowingfreeride.com and take a look at our YouTube Page for more free content and learn to snowboard right! My name is Blake Tholen Clark Contact Me if you want to book a lesson or have any questions about Snowboarding.

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All Mountain/Freeride Snowboards And Asymmetrical Snowboards

Blake Tholen Clark Certified Snowboard Instructor, Flowing Freeride Online Snowboard School, Free Snowboarding Lessons, From Your Snowboard Coach, Snowboard Gear Reviews, Snowboarding Tips, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

This online snowboard lesson will go over Freeride Snowboards. There are different technologies in a Freeride Snowboard that make this ride the whole mountain more efficiently. The three main types of snowboards are Alpine, Freestyle and Freeride. Freestyle Boards are shorter and softer in flex to get spins around faster and to absorb with forgiveness while Alpine Boards are longer for more response, not as wide for quick edge change and stiffer to hold an edge in harder snow conditions. Freestyle Snowboard stances usually are wider with a ‘duck stance’ or your feet angles are pointing towards nose and tail like 12º, -12 so they can use a full range of motion to absorb landings and jump of kickers. Alpine Snowboard stances are sharp towards the nose like 70º, 67º to be able to carve and switch edges quickly. Freeride Snowboard stances are a combo of these two styles picking out the best attributes. A lot of snowboarders like freeriding because you can ride the whole mountain hitting trees, moguls, cliffs, park, pipe, off piste, groomers, etc., Other Snowboard Videos on YouTube & Flowing Freeride go over equipment technologies to teach you how to get the best gear. You’ll have access to all our snowboard tutorials when you signup that cover every step and feedback from your coach. We also have some free snowboard videos to prepare for snowboard weather and equipment to bring on our YouTube Page. I recommend watching these snowboard videos; What To Wear Snowboarding, Demo Boards, Snowboard Camber, Building Rhythm, Advanced Snowboarding Getting Air, Snowboard Freestyle Boards, Snowboard Dynamic Flex & Extend, & How To Size Your Snowboard. Learn to snowboard online with flowingfreeride.com, Take Our Placement Quiz, take a look at Our Blog for more free content, and Learn To Snowboard Right!

Asymmetrical Snowboards can be wider with softer flex in the front or nose and then more narrow with stiffer flexin the tail. It’s shaped like an ‘A’ and it tapers down being wider at the beginning and narrow at the end. This will help you plow through the crud conditions and in powder to ride up on top and float to make it easier to ride. These boards are directional and meant to go one way more efficiently. You can ride them switch or fakie but they won’t perform the same way. You can have an asymmetrical sidecut, your heelside edge has a deeper sidecut to lock you into your carves better by giving you more leverage or similar to your toeside carves. On my toeside I eliminate one more angle by extending my hips instead of flexing like on my heelside thus creating more leverage on my toeside edge. These type of snowboards are ‘A Sym Twins’ or twin tip in every way except you have a designated heelside edge weather you’re riding goofy or regular. This snowboard is great for freestyle but I want to include it with freeride boards too. You don’t need to have an asymmetrical snowboard for it to be a freeride snowboard and the Asymmetrical Twin Tip is great for freestyle. I do like to ride twin tip snowboards but when I’m out riding the whole mountain or freeriding I set my bindings back a bit so that I have a longer nose and shorter tail. When you set your bindings back or the holes are already set back then it’s a directional twin. I’ll talk about sidecuts in a second. This let’s me ride powder and crud a bit better by staying on top of the snow and not sinking in.

Freeride Snowboards or All Mountain Snowboards usually ride better through bumps, trees, off piste conditions and at high speeds because they’re longer and stiffer flex. The sidecut is usually set back a bit, off-centered or it doesn’t start arching back out in the center of the snowboard. A few centimeters back from the center is when the sidecut starts heading back out. This gives you a better solid ride when you’re riding the board directionally with your bindings set back along on your snowboard and that’s why you sidecut is set back, off-centered. You lose that when riding switch because now you have a short nose and long tail. The technologies of an All Mountain let you ride the whole mountain efficiently in one direction and you’re still able to ride backwards or fackie fairly well also.

Freestyle Snowboards that are shorter for quicker rotation and softer flex to absorb landings and tricks. They are True Twin Tips with same flex patterns at the nose and tail. The sidecut is not set back it arch back out right in the center of the snowboard and the binding holes are also centered. This makes the snowboard ride and perform exactly the same no matter if you’re going goofy or regular.

All Mountain Snowboards are going to have regular camber or hybrid camber in them. If you’re on a reverse cambered board you won’t hold an edge as well and you butter very easily. Banana boards are reversed cambered great for freestyle, tricks, butters and less likely to catch an edge which is a huge plus to beginners. I have to really lift my edge higher on my back leg to hold a carve, my movement patterns differ on reverse camber boards. I like to ride regular camber boards for the edge control, flex patterns, speed and pop from edge to edge. Hybrid camber gives a combo of both and helps you float more in powder conditions. There are different technologies in different types of snowboards. Know what type of camber your board has, how big is the sidecut and if it’s off-centered or directional, the shape and flex patterns are all technologies that can make your riding look better. You can practice efficiently and get Hooked On Snowboarding with Snowboardclass/FlowingFreeride’s techniques so go back to earlier snowboard videos that teach you about other snowboard types and gear. You can signup to get access to all of our snowboard lessons, study guides, textbooks, glossary, tests and direct feedback from your coach. Learn to snowboard online with flowingfreeride.com and take a look at our YouTube Page for more free content and learn to snowboard right! My name is Blake Tholen Clark contact me if you want to book a lesson or have any questions about Snowboarding.

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Snowboarding Pads Flex/Extension Pros & Cons

Blake Tholen Clark Certified Snowboard Instructor, Flowing Freeride Online Snowboard School, Free Snowboarding Lessons, From Your Snowboard Coach, Snowboard Gear Reviews, Snowboarding Tips, , , , , , , , , ,

This online snowboard lesson will go over Snowboard Padding Flex & Extend. If you’re going out to snowboard for your first time get some padding. There are some places that have awesome soft fluffy powder snow conditions that are perfect for learning to snowboard. You can find these conditions in Western States like Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, California and more consistently. The Rockies are bigger mountains and in some areas like Utah you get Champagne Powder because of how dry and light the snow is. The Sierras and other mountain ranges near the Ocean get lots of snow but it’s heavier wet snow. When you fall in powder the impact is softer and you may not need pads. The snow isn’t always going to be ‘perfect’ when you fall. Impact shorts, knee/elbow/back pads are worn under you snowboard pants and they can prevent injuries when you fall. Wrist guards are worn under your gloves to give you more protection. Other Snowboard Videos on YouTube & Flowing Freeride go over safety, equipment and techniques. You’ll have access to all our snowboard tutorials when you signup that cover every step and feedback from your coach. We also have some free snowboard videos to prepare for Advance Carving on our YouTube Page. I recommend watching these snowboard videos; Beginner Snowboard Lesson on Steering, Toeside Heelside Stance, Learn How To Ride The Lifts Safely, How to Snowboard: Balance Twist, Beginner Snowboard Stance, Snowboard Training Hill, What To Wear Snowboarding, How To Size Your Snowboard, Snowboard Freestyle Boards, What To Wear Snowboarding, Demo Boards, Snowboard Camber, Freeride Boards, Building Rhythm, Advanced Snowboarding Getting Air, & Snowboard Dynamic Flex & Extend. Learn to snowboard online with flowingfreeride.com, Take Our Placement Quiz, take a look at Our Blog for more free content, and Learn To Snowboard Right!

Now when I go out and try new tricks I want to have the Safety Gear to help prevent injury if I do crash. There’s a downfall to having this safety equipment and padding it’s your flexion extension that is lacking. It limits my range of movement. If I were to be wearing a knee pad or an elbow elbow pad or impact shorts it limits my flexion extension. Flex and extension is key in any sport. When I’m extended out I’m using my skeleton and bones to support myself. When I’m flexed I’m using my muscles and pads prevent a little bit of range of movement. That can make it harder to reach down and grab your snowboard or do other dynamic movements. That extra movement can help you jump a little further or higher and let you stomp you trick so weigh the pros and cons of pads. If I were to be wearing something that limits my flex and extension it can change the style of my riding and the way it looks. I always recommend a helmet for protection but I don’t always recommend you wear pads. If you’re a first timer I do recommend you wear pads but it’s not required. The big key is to steer the board with your feet and to limit hard falls with proper technique. Our snowboard tutorials go over movement patterns that teach you how to operate and manipulate your snowboard. Look at these three Snowboard Video Tips; Beginner Snowboard Lesson on Steering, Toeside Heelside Stance, & How to Snowboard: Balance Twist. You can practice these movements off snow so that you can be training to snowboard even when you’re not on the mountain.

When you snowboard you might not fall if you’re good. I like to push myself to new skills, tricks and movements. If you’re building up new snowboard skills and you’re riding kickers, rails or other park features you may crash and pads soften falls. When I do a new trick I may do it hundreds of times until it’s perfect with flowy style. Build up to that skill by perfect practice. Do the same trick over and over again until you’ve got muscle memory and as you’re flowing down the mountain you can bust that trick out anytime no problem. You can practice efficiently with Snowboardclass/FlowingFreeride’s techniques so go back to earlier snowboard videos that teach you about kids and beginner movements. You can signup to get access to all of our snowboard lessons, study guides, textbooks, glossary, tests and direct feedback from your coach. Learn to snowboard online with flowingfreeride.com and take a look at our YouTube Page for more free content and learn to snowboard right! My name is Blake Tholen Clark contact me if you want to book a lesson or have any questions about Snowboarding.

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Snowboard Lesson On Binding Types

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This online snowboard lesson will go over Free Snowboard Tips On Binding Types. When you’re ready to take your riding to the next level get your own custom bindings.  There are many types of bindings but the most common binding is two straps that ratchet tighter. There are some systems where you step-in or Burton’s New System You Step On to your bindindings. The rear entry system has been made popular by Flow. There are different advantages and cons to the bindings so let’s take a look at some snowboard binding systems. You’ll have access to all our snowboard tutorials when you signup that cover every step and feedback from your coach. We also have some free snowboard videos to educate you on  Snowboard Equipment on our YouTube Page. I recommend watching these snowboard videos; Snowboard Freestyle Boards, What To Wear Snowboarding, Demo Boards, Snowboard Camber, Freeride Boards, Building Rhythm, Advanced Snowboarding Getting Air, Snowboard Dynamic Flex & Extend, & How To Size Your Snowboard Learn to snowboard online with flowingfreeride.com, Take Placement Quiz, take a look at Our Blog for more free content, and learn to snowboard right!

The big benefits to step-ins or step-ons is the quickness of getting in and out of your bindings. If you’ve ever been out riding with skiers they get off the lift and go. Snowboarders have to take time and strap in. Quickly step your foot in and pull the lever or it clicks in. It saves time and you don’t have to bend over as much. If you range of movement doesn’t allow you to bend over very well these step-in bindings save time and energy. A guy I work with teaches and only has one arm, he uses the Flow system to get him in and out with just one arm. I’ve demoed all types of bindings and really liked the Flow system. When I worked in Ski Patrol I was required to have a step-in system so I could get in and out of my bindings fast so I could work setting up poles, signs and ropes. The Flow Rear Entry Snowboard Binding System is what I used. The binding is compatible with any snowboard boot. The first step-ins required you have the boot and binding. The boots wore out quickly and the system would jam a lot. It was a good idea but had flaws and inefficiencies. Flow made adjustments to it’s rear entry system and has remained one of the best step-in bindings. It has a lot of positive uses. Flow is a great name and having good flow and rhythm is why I chose the name Flowing Freeride for my Online Snowboard School, it’s a big part of good snowboarding. Gatorade Flow has come out as well because basketball is all about flow, rhythm, running downhill, momentum & pace and that’s where the saying comes from “he’s on fire!”

There are many pros to step-in systems so why don’t more snowboarders ride on step-in bindings? The two strap ratchet system is more reliable and is very unlikely to fail. Even if the system brakes you’re still able to get down the mountain and it’s easy to fix. After riding my Flow bindings for a few years the high back broke when I was out on the mountain. I’m pretty sure it was the low clearance when getting on the lift or maybe something else. Always fold your high backs down when getting on the lift because they can break. When my high back broke it was still held together enough to get me down the mountain. Most times when things break on step-in bindings you’re walking down the mountain. You usually can get down the mountain if one of straps breaks with the two strap system. A broken binding can really put a damper on your day. My personal experience was a scary one. I had just bought some new Flow bindings and I was going very fast around a trail with some bumps on it. The binding failed and the rear entry opened while I was going 40 mph. My back foot came out of the binding and I flipped out of control down into a valley out of bounds. Luckily it was full of powder and I was unharmed. I took them back and like the two strap system.

I rode the Burton Step On Bindings this year at the 2018 Rider Rally. A bunch of AASI Instructors get together to share new ideas, concepts, movements, skills, drills and progressions to further improve your snowboard style. I like how Burton is using new technology. The binding had a lot of pros similar to the Flow system. The fall back was I had to have that snowboard boot and I was riding boots a bit too small, so I couldn’t wear my boot. Once I was in I was locked in. I found it a little bit difficult to get locked in everytime and sometimes had to do a good heelside turn to click and lock in. While riding the bindings felt real secure and safe. They were responsive to my movements. It was great that the guys at Burton came out and let us demo their bindings, boots and boards. They’re making tweaks every year to this system to make it better. I snowboarded all day on my Custom Wide 158 Regular Camber Twin Tip Burton Snowboard and really liked the speed and flex of the board. The bindings have a slot to slide your snowboard pants to prevent jamming but on my very last run I couldn’t get out of binding. My pants had jammed into the locking mechanism of the bindings. Luckily I was down at the bottom where the Burton Tent was. I was rescued by the tech taking the binding off with a screwdriver. I applaud these Snowboard Companies for pushing snowboard technologies and hope to see more new ideas next season.

If you get an old setup somewhere like at a pawn shop or yard sale try to get bindings that are two straps since the older technologies aren’t as safe. Snowboarding is expensive but there are ways to get hooked up. I talk about demo days. Do a little research, I talk about this in the snowboard tutorial Learn Demo Snowboards, and find free demo days at snowboard resorts near you. It’s a good idea to take a lesson and watch FFR’s videos to prepare you. You can practice efficiently with Snowboardclass/FlowingFreeride’s techniques so go back to earlier snowboard videos that teach you about equipment and movements. You can signup to get access to all of our snowboard lessons, study guides, textbooks, glossary, tests and direct feedback from your coach. Learn to snowboard online with flowingfreeride.com and take a look at our YouTube Page for more free content and learn to snowboard right! My name is Blake Tholen Clark contact me if you want to book a lesson through my local resort or have any questions about Snowboarding.

 

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Snowboard Boot Systems

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Learn how to snowboard with a comfortable boot. Soft boots are what most snowboarders use. There are hard boots that alpine snowboarders wear. They’re very similar to ski boots. The 3 Snowboard Types lets you know what type of rider you are. Depending on what type of rider you are will help you select your boot. I recommend a medium to stiff on your flex of your boot. Think of new tennis/basketball shoes, the newer shoes are stiff and need to be broken in a little for better movement. I ride a lot and know I’ll break in my boots and wear them out so I get stiff boots plus I like that support for my aggressive style of riding. If I were to get soft flex boots I’d wear them out and not have the support I like. When I ride a lot of park and like softer boots. I ride a lot, wear out my boots and have to buy another pair. Most snowboard boot companies give you a 1 year warranty, so if you ride tons you’ll wear your boots out and can get a new pair. That’s nice since most boots run between $100-$500 so ask about the warranty of the boot. This online snowboard lesson will go over Soft Boot Systems.

You’ll have access to all our snowboard tutorials when you signup that cover every step and feedback from your coach. We also have some free snowboard videos to prepare for equipment on our YouTube Page. I recommend watching these snowboard videos; Snowboard Freestyle Boards, What To Wear Snowboarding, Demo Boards, Snowboard Camber, and Freeride Boards. Learn to snowboard online with flowingfreeride.com, Take Placement Quiz, take a look at Our Blog for more free content, and learn to snowboard right!

You’ll have options on how soft or stiff your boot is but also the lace system. You can go the ol’ skool way traditional laces just like on your shoes or a laceless system. I’ve used all the systems and like the laceless system where I pull lace and click to teeth on boot. There is the metal wire rachet system as well. The regular lace system takes a lot of time and strength to tie and can come undone if they’re not tied right. If you have younger kids you’ll be doing this so get something easier. A big pro to laces is you can crank them as tight as you want and if they break you can easily go buy shoelaces almost anywhere. The laceless systems will have to be sent to company to repair. With the metal lace rachet system I’ve had problems with it not locking and then the boot is loose all the time. The thin thread material is quick and secures very well. I’ve found them to be more reliable but if the thread breaks it’s hard to replace.

I have a large foot and like to keep my footprint as small as possible on the snowboard. I get a boot that curves up a little at my toe and heel to give me a few more centimeters or a smaller foot so I can get higher edge angles when I carve. I don’t like to ‘boot out’ or my foot goes into the snow and lifts my board off the snow resulting in a crash. If you’re moving from a L1 RAW beginner to L2 RIDER intermediate you’ll want to have your own boots. Your boots are the first piece of snowboard equipment you’ll want to buy. They’re custom and provide such comfort. I’ve had students say they’ve tried to snowboard but felt awkward. I’ve recommended getting their own boots and that has made all the difference. You’re boots need to fit and be secure. If you heels come out while doing a toeside your boots are too loose or too big.
Go try on some boots and the different lace systems to see what you like. You can signup to get access to all of our snowboard lessons, study guides, text books, glossary, tests and direct feedback from your coach. Learn to snowboard online with flowingfreeride.com and take a look at our YouTube Page for more free content and learn to snowboard right.

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Intermediate Snowboarder Equipment – The Snowboard

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By the time you have got off the bunny hill and are able to keep some rhythm you’ll want to get a snowboard that is specific to you and your riding style. I recommend a snowboard with some shape or camber. You may want a board with a deep side cut. Possibly you might want beveled edges or a hard stiff snowboard or soft flexible snowboard. You may not know what you want. You can go into a shop and tell them your style. They can size the board to your body while you are there. Usually the more you weigh/taller the bigger the snowboard. The snowboard plays such a big part of how you ride especially as an intermediate snowboarder.

This is where you get to experiment and explore. Spend more time out on the mountain riding. I usually will buy a set up after researching what technology is offered by the boots, snowboard, bindings and price. Demo shops are convenient if you don’t know what you want to ride for sure. By the time you spend as much time riding as me you know exactly how to set up everything. Your stance, angles, beveled edges, forward lean will change from the type of riding you’re doing or conditions on the mountain. There are reference alignments or standards that can be used to refer to for the most efficient movements and performances. You are unique so log some more days in the mountains riding different conditions and terrain.

Most mountains/resorts will have a snowboard demo day where several companies come out and let you ride the snowboards for free. This saves money no matter what level you are; Beginner Snowboarder, Intermediate Snowboarder or Advanced Snowboarder. Demo snowboards, ride your friends snowboard or borrow one. My mates and I will sometimes switch our snowboard setups for a run if our boots fit the bindings. This is great if you’re a new rider getting into snowboarding because you get to test the different snowboard technologies out there.

You can signup to get access to all of our snowboard lessons, study guides, text books, glossary, tests and direct feedback from your coach. Learn to snowboard online with flowingfreeride.com and take a look at our YouTube Page for more free content and learn to snowboard right.