Rail Tips & Protection

[anaesthetic]

Was at the snowdome last night, it was 95% snowboards, 4% skiers and 1% skiboarders (me). They had a rail (long flat top box thing, dunno the different names - any site that can help with this?) which a lot of snowboarders were doing.

I really wanted to give it a go, but it was about 18" drop (at least) off the end, so worked on jumping/landing first, but was only getting inches off the ground over a hump (no ramps out last night).

Would people recommend finding some bigger jumps before I attempt the rail, or should I just go for it? Also would I need any more protection than a helmet? My fiance has padded shorts for snowboarding - do skiboarders wear these?

[Greco]

don't worry about the 18" drop at the end you most likely won't make it that far. however, the first few times you hit it just ride over it straight, don't go perpendicular. then after you're comfortable up there and how it slides turn sideways at the beginning and give it a go.

g

[SkaFreak]

I don't know of any websites but most of the terms terrain parks are self explanatory. If it's a big wide box, then it's a box. If it's a narrower piece of metal, then it's a rail.

[Jason]

i agree with greco.
just dont think about it so much.

you probably wont need anything more but a helmet. ive only gotten badly hurt on a rail once and it was my fault.

[anaesthetic]

Originally posted by Greco
don't worry about the 18" drop at the end you most likely won't make it that far.

Ah, well the 18" drop is off the sides too. Thanks for the advice though :)

I just got a helmet in the sale. Thinking of going to a beginners ramp night, but could be a while now i have a job to get up for in the mornings.

One more thing - how much higher should i crank up the DINs? I have them set for small novice at the moment (about 4 i think).

[anaesthetic]

I tried my first rail yesterday, was about 5m i think, narrow so had to go perpendicular, but was pretty low too, so no harm to be done.

Got about half way down on my 3rd attempt of 4 before I had to go, other three attempts got only about a foot along!

Can't wait to try again, was much fun!

Is it best to go at it at speed (it has a kicker on) or take it easy at first? I was going really slow on to it.

[anaesthetic]

few days ago did a 5m, 2' high, table top, no problems getting to the end going straight down, took a couple of attempts to nail the landing. my mate managed it perepndicular after a few painful looking falls/bodyslides, but he's been skiboarding much longer than me.

[anaesthetic]

still having trouble with the rail. think i need to jump more to get the perpendicular turn in cos i keep going across kinda diagonal and not getting very far. might have to go for a freestyle lesson for the confidence boost.

got a long gouge in one of my bases too today, probably off the edge of artificial ramp before the rail :mad:

on the plus side the snowflex under the poma was covered in snow today so i still have wax after 2 hours :)