Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Halifax Session 2

So last Saturday a group of us went to ride at Halifax. For most it was their first experience of snowflex, which made things quite interesting. Overall everyone had a good day, with each person wanting to ride there again...

The weather was fairly warm and windy, which made the slope pretty damn dry. I don't think the sprinkler system was/is working as well as it could do, but there was at least some water coming out, which helped a little. The budget washing up liquid did it's job.

I'm yet to ride the slope when it's wet, so I have nothing to compare the first two trips against. When the slope is dry, it makes the kicker really inconsistent: one hit you're sticking all the way down the run-in and you get no air, then the next hit is much faster.

But it's not the dryness that I'm struggling with the most - it's the transition to riding on snowflex. I'm still putting too much pressure on the heel edge which is making frontside rotations off the heel really hard. On the plus side though, I seem to be fairing much better taking off the toes, which has resulted in my backside rotations getting some much needed practice. In fact, Saturday was the first time I've paid any significant attention to the backside 180...

So, I've put some video clips together from the day. Whilst the camera was on I was trying to get to grips with a frontside shifty stalefish (I think) and a backside 180; both met some success, but they need more work yet. I just can't wait to ride the kicker again! I've used a track by The Postal Service called We Will Become Silhouettes (iTunes UK). If you like it, you can buy it here: The Postal Service - Give Up - We Will Become Silhouettes

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5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Gav
Enjoyed watching the footage and the accompanying music. The slope looks quite steep! Made me think it would be cool for us all to go and give it a try, but i'm not sure how I would get on, on my ski's!
Georgiegirl49
AKA Stiffy

Ciara said...

Halifax was sick ;-) Riding on snowflex was quite tricky but good fun once you get the hang of it. Can't wait to go again!!

Gavin Hope said...

You'll be stomping cab spins off that kicker before you know it!

William Meadowcroft said...

Nice site and nice video. I've not been to Halifax for about 3 years! Brings back some memories for a snoflex vet! Think I could have been one of the first to ride on it, the company that make it brought a sample to our slope in Oldham to demo - must have been 97 ish!

Keep at it, you'll get used to it soon!

Gavin Hope said...

Cheers William. So are you still riding? I think you're right, a couple more sessions and it will be feeling a lot better...