surf

Good Sources for Learning

For learning to ride in general, we recommend the rotational technique based on the teachings of Jacques Rilliet & Patrice Fivat at Extremecarving.com, creators of the Swoard Extremecarver.

Their technique is predicated on the sound instruction of the Schweizer Snowboard Schulungsverband (SSBS) and the Swiss Cern Ski Club.

The SSBS has a book w/CD (in either German or French) that is useful, even for those who can't read either French of German. It contains easily understandable diagrams, drawings and photos. This is a link to the Cern on-line tutorial, which is in English.

For tricks, we recommend Jim Smith's The Art of Snowboarding from Ragged Mountain Press.

Snowboard Stance Angles

Each of the boarders in the top image of this page has a strong stance, able to flex legs without contorting or losing balance.

The most critical component of snowboarding, like skiing, is to have the correct set-up for your stance. Stance width and stance angles, both of which center your body near the middle of the board, are key.

Stance width should not be determined by height alone. Leg structure is important, too. Two people 6 feet tall may have different legs, one with long thighs, the other short; one with a wide pelvis, etc.

Stance angles depend on what feels right within a wide variety of leg flexing that will occur on the hill. It may take some fiddling on the hill.

The top image shows the variety most people fall within on a soft-boot board. The middle image show a duck stance, which is near a normal standing posture, but not used by as many for boarding. The bottom image is the forward stance of an alpine board, used often in racing, but also for all mountain surfing, predominantly in Europe. Note the body position in each, with the chest facing the direction of the feet.

Images courtesy of Daan Leijen at
Everything ... Snowboard Stance

Natural Body Position

Upper body position should come from a natural & neutral posture flowing out of the stance, as at left. The chest faces the feet, with the head forward. A stance with the chest turned forward, at right, limits your ability to carve turns.

Maintaining the correct natural posture, even if you bend legs and lower your body at high speeds, keeps your central axis centered over the mid-point of the board.

Basic Alignment is key in turning, as seen in the below images and at the top of the page.

Images courtesy of
Extremecarving.com

Turning a Snowboard

Basic Alignment in
Carving Turns

Some boarders mistakenly turn by lightening either the fore or aft foot, using it to pivot the board on the weighted leg and foot. This results in skidded turns with little shape and direction change. It does work, though, and fine athletes can use this flawed technique with steady results on the entire mountain.

The correct way to turn begins with your standing aligned posture predicated on the correct stance for your body. Keep the weight evenly balanced on both feet with the legs flexed naturally.

Beginners should first learn to turn by rotating the head and shoulders in the direction of the turn. When the board starts to turn, go onto the edge, with either heels or toes. Transition to the next turn by turning your head and shoulders in the direction you want to turn.

Image courtesy of SSBS

Turning for Advanced Boarders

Advanced boarders should not rotate, but turn by moving the Center of Mass past the edge of the board, with first the hips to the inside, with the knees and ankles following in sequence.

The better you get at this, the more powerful your boarding will become.

Sequence of a Toeside Turn

Image courtesy of SSBS

Keep It Simple: Move the hips inside, with the knees and ankles following, going on your toes. Maintain a centered posture, with the legs flexed.

Examples of Mass Near the Axis

Click on Images for Larger & Explanation

Note Swiss rider Patrizia Kummer's centered position of lower spine and sacrum, while her back is long, head upright. Higher speeds demand a lower stance for better balance.

2005 FIS World Juniors, Zermatt
Photo courtesy of FIS

Heelside Parallel Slalom in Italy, centered for turn stability with upper body finding its natural balance point. By staying centered, this racer is ready to go toeside smoothly for the next gate.

Image Courtesy of Rabanser Snowboards, Val Gardena, Italy

Keenan Rice in the Half-Pipe
Photo by Tommy Bayard

A classic decentering of the body to generate rotation, but still operating within the three axes of gravity, compression and tension.

Keenan Rice generates this turn by rotating his upper body with a glance to earth, while his Center of Mass, defined by hips and lower torso, is strongly centered over his feet.

Classy form based on sound biomechanical principles. Go4it, Keenan!

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