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#1
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kids on boards
I'd like to take my son out for some snowboarding. He is 6, weighs about 60
lbs. Any advice on a board, equipment, teaching techniques, etc is welcome and appreciated. I've flexed a few boards and they all seem very stiff, relatively speaking, so I wonder how well they turn for a rookie boarder. What I would like to avoid is a bad experience which sours him on the sport for a long time. Thanks Mike (in Maryland) |
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#2
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kids on boards
My main suggestion is to just send him off on a group lesson package
to start off. I find that sometimes kids feel uncomfortable being taught by their parents - they feel self-conscious and pressured - even when the parents are just trying to be encouraging. I find that it helps if the parent is not the instructor starting out because as an instructor you sometimes have to criticize the student and children can often mistake criticisms from you as their "instructor" from criticisms from you as their "parent." After the first few lessons, he will will most likely addicted and then you can spend time with him. Rental gear are not the best... but they will suffice in terms of quality. Fit is another matter... make sure the boots fit him (that is the most important point for any snowboarder), the board should be in the 115 range. Most places rent helmets too now. Obviously custom fitted gear is the best, but also the most expensive as he will quickly outgrow most of it - so I suggest only getting it when you are sure he likes snowboarding. Just my generalizations, each person is different and individual cases will vary greatly. I mean if you son specifically wants you to teach him personally, then go ahead - overall just let him had fun... at 6 years old, he's going to become an incredibly talents snowboard even without much instruction so long as he keeps it up. "Mike" wrote in message ... I'd like to take my son out for some snowboarding. He is 6, weighs about 60 lbs. Any advice on a board, equipment, teaching techniques, etc is welcome and appreciated. I've flexed a few boards and they all seem very stiff, relatively speaking, so I wonder how well they turn for a rookie boarder. What I would like to avoid is a bad experience which sours him on the sport for a long time. Thanks Mike (in Maryland) |
#3
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kids on boards
My main suggestion is to just send him off on a group lesson package
to start off. I find that sometimes kids feel uncomfortable being taught by their parents - they feel self-conscious and pressured - even when the parents are just trying to be encouraging. I agree. If the lesson doesn't go well you can always suggest that he try again with a different instructor - that's much harder to do if you're the first teacher. (Easy to make someone else the scapegoat - nearly impossible to make yourself the scapegoat!) Group lessons also have the benefit of camaraderie! At 6 years old, he's going to become an incredibly talents snowboard even without much instruction so long as he keeps it up. I wish I had started so young! Well, my one year old daughter already looks longingly up at the snowboards on the wall I am actually going to pick up a set of old skis and spend a few days this season and next re-learing that so that if she wants to ski I can do that with her when the time comes. (Kids can generally control a set of skis at a younger age/smaller size than a board). Mike T |
#4
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kids on boards
Something to think about is snowblades/skiboards.
I was talking to an work aquaintance recently about them, and she thinks they're the greatest things ever. She never got past the initial falling down day on boarding or skiing, but was able to keep up with her friends right from the start on the blades. I've not ridden them, but from what I can see, the technique is extremely intuitive, like riding inline skates: just lean feet sideways. So that looks like the easiest way to get a young kid on the hill and having fun. But mostly, just let the kid do what he/she thinks is fun . Anyhow, I've been thinking about them as approach skiis in far distance plans of exploring around Mt Hood a bit, so found my way onto www.skiboards.com. They've got a lot of hype and product information. |
#5
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kids on boards
Good suggestions on the group lessons, probably a wise investment. I
should probably rally a bunch of his pals & get a group lesson package to make it even more fun. I bought a board - Lamar Super X 115. Couldnt resist the Nineteen dollar price tag on a new board at Sports Authority. It feels kind of stiff for its length though. Any thoughts on old school ways to make it a bit more limber? It's a wood (poplar) core. I seem to remember that old XC skis could (actually required) be 'tuned' with blocks to adjust/preserve camber. I used to ride alot circa 1987. Went out for the first time in years last winter and got hooked again. If I can get him hooked too I will be a very happy man. I'm also open to advice steering me not to do this - e.g. if 6 year olds don't have the oomph to turn the board on a bunny hill I'd just as well give him some time, try the tubing hill, skiing, etc. |
#6
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kids on boards
"Mike" wrote
I'm also open to advice steering me not to do this - e.g. if 6 year olds don't have the oomph to turn the board on a bunny hill I'd just as well give him some time, try the tubing hill, skiing, etc. I would say that it is a minority of 6 year olds who would be able to learn to snowboard. Most would be better off on skis. If your son is naturally athletic and already rides a skateboard, go for it. If he is average or less than average athletically he may have more fun on skis. Whichever way you go, absolutely hand him over to an instructor rather than teach him yourself. They have lots of tricks to help kids learn and have way more patience than any sane person should have. |
#7
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kids on boards
Whichever way you go, absolutely hand him over to an instructor
rather than teach him yourself. They have lots of tricks to help kids learn and have way more patience than any sane person should have. One more thing to add on the lessons - two hours tops for the first lesson or three. My wife used to teach snowboarding and she would get 4, 5, and 6 year olds in private all day lessons. In all cases the groms petered out well before the lesson was over and she wound up building a snowman with them or something. These all day privates were not cheap. Remember how tiring your first day on skis/ board was? No different for them. I suggest a morning lesson, then pick him up, give him some time to rest and then if he's interested, let him show off his new skills to you! -Mike T, looking forward to taking his daughter to the slopes in a couple of seasons. |
#8
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kids on boards
I'm also open to advice steering me not to do this - e.g. if 6 year olds
don't have the oomph to turn the board on a bunny hill I'd just as well give him some time, try the tubing hill, skiing, etc. Something I should have mentioned before is: teach em how to fall properly. This past season I unfortunately saw a kid I'd guess was around 8 years old right after he snapped his wrist by falling forward on his palms. Kid's do that and heal quick, but at the same time, teaching them to fall on their forearms instead of their palms could save them a cast. |
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