For Christmas I got two great gifts from Mountain Dad. The first is a book titled Freestyle Snowboarding tricks, skills and techniques by Alexander Rottman and Nici Pederzolli. It’s a How-To book with detailed instructions on performing all sorts of snowboarding tricks.
The best part about this book is not the writing on each page, although it is informative and easy to read. What’s really interesting is the photography. It is awesome. Each skill presented is documented in split second sequences so you can imagine every movement needed to successful accomplish the trick. For example, the page describing a backside 180 on the snow shows the rider at each step of the rotation from riding in, putting weight on an edge, jumping off the tail, rotating in the air and finally landing. Even for those non-snowboarders out there Freestyle Snowboarding is an interesting book because the photography is so compelling.
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The second great Christmas gift was the DVD 20 Tricks: An Instructional Video by Transworld Snowboarding features famous snowboarders explaining everything from Ollies to backside 900s. My favorite video is Jamie Anderson describing a Tailslide 270 out, which is a rotation off the end of a snowboard box, for those non riders out there. Each skill is its own short snipit on the DVD which allows for repeated watching of whatever trick you’re working on. I was inspired to try out some tricks because the professionals on the video make it look so easy.
Now, as you readers know, one of the 30 goals I made for my 30th birthday was to do a 360 on my snowboard. Well, I’ve been practicing and reading up in Freestyle Snowboarding and watching 20 Tricks.
I am happy to report that last Saturday I successfully completed the sloppiest, ugliest 360 you could imagine! It wasn’t great, but I did it!
I know what you’re thinking. It’s mid-March. The sun is shining, the weather is warm and I don’t have to wear snowboots everywhere I go. So why is Mountain Mom still talking about skiing and snowboarding?
Well, I just can’t help it. I love snowboarding. I LOVE IT!
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