Comments on: The stagnant snowboarder

By: The end of 2010 and the beginning of 2011 – Shayboarder.com

The end of 2010 and the beginning of 2011 – Shayboarder.com — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 01:22:21 +0000

[…] The Stagnant Snowboarder […]

By: A look back at my 2009-2010 season so far – Shayboarder.com

A look back at my 2009-2010 season so far – Shayboarder.com — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 14:37:42 +0000

[…] Stagnant Snowboarder: I started my progression into park at Windells last summer and this year continued that progression. I didn’t want my riding to become stagnant and while some friends thought I was nuts, I enjoyed this season in the park. […]

By: Shay

Shay — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 01:55:04 +0000

I put this up during the middle of the road trip and stoked to come back to so many responses!

For those wanting the original write up about windells with the whole coverage, here’s the link http://www.shayboarder.com/2009/08/the-windells-camp-adult-experience.html and it links to each day of camp and what we worked on. Gives a good look at the adult camp perspective which is rare to see.

Ben, totally agree with you on switching the boards up. Some boards make me work a lot harder and some are really easy but i like to switch between them to make me better all-around. With the adult campers at Windells you rarely mix with the kids which was a huge relief for me as well. Your taught with other adults and you play with other adults at camp so it’s a lot more comfortable than being around kids who kick your butt at park, haha.

Iain, here’s the link for you http://www.shayboarder.com/2009/08/the-windells-camp-adult-experience.html which describes the adult camp experience at windells for their last session last year. I haven’t been to HCSC but have friends who work there and friends at windells as well. It was definitely a good experience and helped me feel more comfortable in park.

Yessi, for sure understand that! Definitely had that one year where I just stayed still in my riding but eventually moved past it where I needed to push myself. Maybe try riding with new people and try the tricks they are.

Al, I have tried the joystick definitely stiffer than the hero but I didn’t think it was as forgiving. I’ll try hopping on it again to give a review, there was a reason it didn’t make it as a review, I Think limited time on it.

Doriux, that’s awesome you have people to ride with that will help push you and you stomp the tricks when you do them, stoked for you!

Vancity, thanks! Totally understand the camera thing, you got mucho camera gear and I definitely understand those days where you just want to enjoy it without worrying about taking shots. Stoked I got some of you last year! I’ll be back soon!

Laz, keep at it! Rad you are getting it!

Lou, definitely doing the more natural features each time and balance boards are the best!

Alvaro, for sure. I have a couple friends that don’t want to ride park and I’m not riding with them as much this year because I really do want to ride park. Even if it’s alone…I’m still trying!

Matty, sick suggestions! I’ve found that I really enjoy riding other mountains parks because I’m used to my park features but I need different ones to make me adjust to them and pick up my riding. Working on the switch and doing more shifties now which I love.

Lee, it’s rad to see your progression go the other way out of the park. Definitely location makes a huge difference in riding style and where you spent the amount of time riding. Stoked for you getting the powder in!

JLD, I was riding the day of shakedown but that was it so if you were up that day, probably was me. Awesome you are up and loving the park as well!

Assi, thanks! Yeah I’m stoked on seeing such a variety of ages in the park from young to old, it’s rad to see people enjoying the shred and trying new things.

By: AssiNations

AssiNations — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 22:30:40 +0000

Nice write up- I find that not only an I now seen as an old rider, I still want to see progression from everyone, young and old. This is why the best thing to practice is Switch tricks; which when done properly, are really kewl…but as a rider that has seen more fads then rippers the best way any rider can get better is to do more switch tricks. Start having fun with this trick! HAPPY SHREDDIN’

By: JLD

JLD — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:29:07 +0000

I think I saw you at Summit riding the day after the Shakedown. Anyway, I’m 32 and still love the park. Surround yourself with some people that will push you, but move at your own pace and Have fun Shay.

By: lee

lee — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:48:16 +0000

To cure mine I moved from the small hills in Michigan out to the mountains here in the northwest. Instead of it being a freestyle progression for me though I went the other way to freeride and powder. Having a mountain with cliffs,natural halfpipes,long runs and actual powder can really change your season. I started the year at Baker having never ridden more than a foot of fresh. That day kicked my ass! Had to figure out how to ride, and get up when I would fall. I’ve been riding Stevens regularly the rest of the year and I enjoy it everytime I go. I rarely hit the park anymore. Its just not that big of an intrest. There’s so much more to ride. Secret (to me anyways) banked turns in the trees and runs off the groomers are a blast. And just knowing that I’m that high up on a mountain and coming down it is a trip. Also my gf is just starting to really progress herself. So riding with her and helping her learn and get better makes it fun.

By: Matty A

Matty A — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:03:07 +0000

the only way i try to improve is by riding as much different stuff as often as possible and i try and challenge yourself in small steps and novel ways- that lip you normally ollie, do a shifty instead. Dont revert round straight after a 180, ride switch until there is something you can half cab off. ride the lift switch footed (scarier than it sounds). recently i have taken to trying to ride moguls smoothly and efficiently, definitely a challenge on a board but my god it makes the groomed park look tame when you have done a few laps on a bumpy black! as an instructor i often have my kids wanting to learn a trick so i often try and think of a progression for learning it by trying it myself, forcing me to learn the trick. and if they want to learn something easy or just ride, i do it all switch :).

By: Alvaro

Alvaro — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:47:45 +0000

Hi Shay,
Good post.. I can relate to it. I’m on the older bracket of folks on the hill, will be 42 this year. I think one thing that would have helped me progress in the park was leaving my friends behind and doing the park on my own. They are all about carving and riding pow and not much into the jumps and we usually stick together when we ride which means not going through the park. Last season I went up by myself a couple of times (4 hr drive) and spent the day dorking around and trying jumps. Had lots of fun and I think I learned a couple of things. So in summary, sometimes you have to do your own thing to get better.

To Al who asked about the Joystick, I have one and I highly recommended. I used to own the Hero which is also a very good deck but the Joystick is better for high speeds. Right now prices are great so it’s a good time to pick one up.

By: Lou G.

Lou G. — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 02:21:32 +0000

Shay!

Rad post. Grab a 2″ or wider diameter PVC pipe from any hardware shoppe and an old skateboard to make a balance board; I added straps to my skate and worked my way to jumping right into tricks… most recently b/s 270 on, which I’m excited to take to the hill for sure. Using an old skateboard means you have to land centered between your feet every time, which really dials in proper form. The balance board is an unsung hero of progression in my opinion; it gives you a chance to play with things like shoulder alignment, weight displacement etc. with no consequences.

And the way I keep things fresh? I make a point to try and find a hidden natural feature every day. It can be something you’ve cruised by every day all season, but sometimes you have to really stop and look at something to realize its true potential.

Plus pulling something off that you just imagined out of thin air inspires some powerful joy-joy feelings.

By: laz167

laz167 — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 23:05:07 +0000

I can relate at 39 years old and in my 3rd year of riding I sometimes feel like im slacking or could be pushing myself more. One thing I can say for myself that it usually takes me about an hour to warmup and get all the muscle memory back. I’ve started riding park this year doing more of 50/50’s and small jumps. But have found myself more attracted to the side hits and little hits. This has been more fun for me and at 30 days this year living in the ice coast I think I have progressed. But next year I’m going all out in the park department.:)