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| SKI 4 HOW TO... |
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Want to ride the half-pipe but don't know how? Take a lesson from British number one Lesley McKenna...
Are you ready?
If you're not up to carving standard on a snowboard - where you can traverse the slopes on your edge without scrubbing off any speed - you're not good enough for the half-pipe. The same goes for making jumps off kickers - if you're not used to being in the air, even it it's little tricks, you're not ready for the pipe.
Get protected
Half-pipes are hard and icy and if you're inexperienced, or trying new tricks you will fall. It's compulsory now on the World Cup circuit to wear a helmet and I'd strongly recommend it. I've knocked myself out and that was wearing a helmet so it's just not worth the risk of riding without one. You might also want think about getting a back-protector and slam shorts which really help when you fall...
Entering the half-pipe
Don't try and drop in from the sides (the steep walls of the pipe). To start with just enter the pipe at the bottom of its 'U'. Also, don't queue-barge. There's an etiquette to half-pipe and riders will normally wait on either side of the pipe walls. Wait for your turn and give plenty of space to riders in front. If you think you might fall let the rider behind you know that you need plenty of room.
Making your first turn
Get on the edge you are most comfortable with, heel or toe side, and with a little speed start going up the side of the pipe. When the slope of the bank has almost stopped your momentum, move your front shoulder round (the one furthest down the mountain) so it faces towards the other wall of the pipe. Your body and board will move round naturally and you'll have made your first turn.
Linking turns
As soon as you've made your first turn, carve across the slope on your edge and try the same on the opposite bank. If you're having problems remember to keep your arms out in front of you, almost over your feet. I call it the goalie position and it means your weight remains fully over the board, the key to staying upright.
Dropping into the park
Once you're linking turns you'll want to drop into the park which lets you get more speed up. Put your board horizontal to the fall line and face into the middle of the park with your shoulders and directly over the board. Then gently drop in and traverse across the slope. The key is not to have too much of an edge and your board should almost be totally flat as it hits the park. Once you get good you can try dropping in at an angle and going more down than across the slope, which means you're going much faster.
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