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#21
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Mike T wrote:
But all that said, it's definately more work, so something that feels more burton, or something out of donek's more freeride/freestyle oriented new lines might be a better choice. Sure - depending on what you are looking for. I would reiterate that I do not think the Incline/Wide/Sasquatch will "kick a new rider's butt" so much as they will coerce a new rider into developing "crisp" technique. I wish I had gotten on one much earlier in my snowboarding life. However hindsight is 20/20, I would have concentrated on technique earlier as well too if I could do it over again... and not on running the steepest slopes that I could! Yea, I don't think the Donek Freeride boards will destroy beginners... but at the same time I wouldn't automatically recommend it for them. As Jason suggested, I would think the Phoenix would be better for a beginner. For me, I like the crisp handling of the Donek... but I again stress the differentiation between crisp handling of the board and crisp technique. If you have crisp technique, you will look good even on a more sluggish board. Again my worry is that the Doneks might somehow cover up for some technique inadequacies... but I don't have any hard proof. I might be just still used to the old school idea of slowing moving up in board quality as your personal ability level develops as well. --Arvin |
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#22
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Yea, I don't think the Donek Freeride boards will destroy beginners...
but at the same time I wouldn't automatically recommend it for them. As Jason suggested, I would think the Phoenix would be better for a beginner. For me, I like the crisp handling of the Donek... but I again stress the differentiation between crisp handling of the board and crisp technique. If you have crisp technique, you will look good even on a more sluggish board. Again my worry is that the Doneks might somehow cover up for some technique inadequacies... but I don't have any hard proof. I might be just still used to the old school idea of slowing moving up in board quality as your personal ability level develops as well. Hey, what's wrong with a board that is tolerant of technical errors? If it makes you feel like a superhero, then great! I don't buy into that "old school approach". I say, get a board that behaves well and offers enough stability so you can be comfortable working on your technique. I know my alpine technique has progressed more on boards such as Coilers that are tolerant of mistakes than it has on boards such as the Donek Freecarve which is IMHO quite punishing of mistakes. Coilers are often called "cheater boards" because their riders often look and feel better than they are! In my case I work things out on a "cheater board" and then try it on an "I won't lie to you" board to make sure I really have it. Works beautifully! Mike T |
#23
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Mike T wrote: It is true that having better edgehold will give you more confidence and allow beginner to work on other technique issues... but that just kind of delays the lesson in edge pressure on variable snow condition. Maybe it's just an unfounded worry. I dunno, you're still going to have to learn how to feather edge pressure on variable snow. Even longer GS boards which have legendary edge hold don't negate that issue! Yea that exactly is my point... even with a board with great edgehold, you still need to learn how how to deal with variable snow conditions... and I know of a few riders here in Tahoe that ride long GS boards as a crutch to cover for their technique issues. They are so used to the "board" handling things for them that they are helpless when the conditions require additional user input. I keep hearing gripes about the snow during the spring, when it isn't that bad at all - nearly all of them talk about getting custom boards instead of just learning how to ride the death cookie / slush mixture. OK, centered on the midpoint of the total board length, rather than centered about the waist... never tried that on my Wide. I never move my bindings on that thing, always at 19.25" centered on the inserts which I believe is also centered about the waist, or narrowest part of the board... Mike T 19.25"? How tall are you again? I have 20" on my stance... perhaps I should shorten my stance a big (Sean's method has me at 18.5" both via tibia measurement and .6*inseam measurement). I do have 1*/1* and 1*/2* on tilt/cant on my bindings though. |
#24
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Mike T wrote:
Yea, I don't think the Donek Freeride boards will destroy beginners... but at the same time I wouldn't automatically recommend it for them. As Jason suggested, I would think the Phoenix would be better for a beginner. For me, I like the crisp handling of the Donek... but I again stress the differentiation between crisp handling of the board and crisp technique. If you have crisp technique, you will look good even on a more sluggish board. Again my worry is that the Doneks might somehow cover up for some technique inadequacies... but I don't have any hard proof. I might be just still used to the old school idea of slowing moving up in board quality as your personal ability level develops as well. Hey, what's wrong with a board that is tolerant of technical errors? If it makes you feel like a superhero, then great! I don't buy into that "old school approach". I say, get a board that behaves well and offers enough stability so you can be comfortable working on your technique. One could describe a super soft, flexy board as being "tolerant of technical errors" and that's my point... that what ever board your ride, there is no magical way to become a better rider. Of course if you buy a cheap "beginner" board you are going to have problems... but in my opinion, almost any higher end stiff freeride board "behaves well and offers enough stability" so you can work on your technique. I know my alpine technique has progressed more on boards such as Coilers that are tolerant of mistakes than it has on boards such as the Donek Freecarve which is IMHO quite punishing of mistakes. Coilers are often called "cheater boards" because their riders often look and feel better than they are! In my case I work things out on a "cheater board" and then try it on an "I won't lie to you" board to make sure I really have it. Works beautifully! I have no doubt that Coilers and to a lesser degree Donek inspire a lot of confidence... which is crucial to getting better at snowboarding. I just am hesistant to put so much emphasis on improving through purchasing gear instead of just practicing more - most people go less than 8 days a season and never get any type of lessons. Your situation is unique because you already go well over 30 days a season AND you get professional lessons. |
#25
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"lonerider" wrote in message ups.com... Apparently Prior are demo'ing boards at Kirkwood on the 29th and I hope to try out some boards. Let us know what you think!! I might show up at Kirkwood that day too, just to see what the AMF or Khyber is like! Brian. |
#26
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19.25"? How tall are you again? I have 20" on my stance... perhaps I
should shorten my stance a big (Sean's method has me at 18.5" both via tibia measurement and .6*inseam measurement). I do have 1*/1* and 1*/2* on tilt/cant on my bindings though. 5'10". Actually that 19.25" is my softie stance. It's closer to 20" on plates. |
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