Snowboarding Tutorial - First Lesson

Hi fellow steemians,

I will continue my snowboarding tutorial today.
If you haven't read the first article, where I told you a little about the basic equipment specs needed for safe and easy learning, you can learn more here: https://steemit.com/wintersports/@alexdory/snowboarding-tutorial-equipment-basics
Otherwise you are probably interested in going out and shred the mountain :)

Dynamics of snowboarding:

The snowboard slides down the mountain on it's resin coated wooden core and stops by digging the sharp metal edges into the snow.

The key things you need to be aware of in order to hasten the learning process:

Bindings should be perpendicular to the board, because the first day will consist of getting to know the edge and pressure
Bindings should be placed to the outermost point on the board, to increase stability and maneuverability
Knees should be bent ( when you feel they are so bent that it makes you look funny, bend some more :) )
Back should be straight, with your weight centered over the board.
Hands should be kept alongside your body

Close to this:

Before testing the first moves you have to be aware of how to fall as this will be your "favorite activity" during the fist day. Hands in a fist, arms up, protecting your head like boxing, pushing the knees forward. This will dissipate most of the kinetic energy when falling forward. When falling backward, just try to "sit" and you will safely stop while bumping your bum in the snow.

Whatever you do next, don't ever try to go faster than a regular walk while your board is perpendicular to the slope as the board will not offer sufficient stability.

This being said let's move on to the first run:

Face downhill and get up. You can grab the board with your hand to leverage your weight.
Stick those heels in the snow while you straighten up! Keep the knees bent.
Slowly release the heels until the board starts to slide. Don't overdo it. If you are a driver think of the movement as the brake not as the clutch. Keep the knees bent.
Be sure that your weight is centered front-back and sideways or you will start drifting.
To stop gently put pressure back on your heels. Keep the knees bent.
Do it smoothly. If your body starts to hurt after 10 minutes then you are doing a good job.
Did i mention to always keep the knees bent? :)

Keeping the knees bent will absorb all the bumps and you will keep the board right on the snow.
Keeping the knees straight will throw your weight in the air, you will lose the grip and you will topple over and do the "scorpion" trick. It sounds cool but it doesn't feel as good:

We all eventually do the scorpion in our lives but why do it on the first day? :D

Keep it safe and remember that the slope if not only yours. Keep yourself on the side and you will be safe. Don't stop in the middle.

Things to keep you safer during the first day:

Wear pants with a good waterproof membrane ( at least 5000 mm).
Don't wear thick clothing, it's better to pack a second layer in your backpack than to over sweat.
Always wear a helmet but especially during the first few days
Never fall with your palms open( you can get wrist protections if you can't control yourself )
Don't squeeze your feet with the boots or the bindings but every few falls tie your inner soles ( they get loose and can make the snowboard less responsive)
Take a break every 30 minutes, try to evaluate your stance and your goals.
Tie your gloves, helmet and everything that can come off. It will come off :D This is called a "yard sale flop":

Good luck out there!
I will write about sliding, turning and controlling the board next time.

Previous lesson:
https://steemit.com/wintersports/@alexdory/snowboarding-tutorial-equipment-basics
&
My GoPro vacation movie - Snowboard session in Straja

Sources:
Text: my experience
Snowboard position image from http://www.epicsportsman.org
Scorpion trick and yard sale fall from www.factorymedia.com