winter training

[princeofwales]

anybody know of any dry land training we can do in the winter months
yesterday i had my board on in the garden trying to do hopping 360s
bit of fun not to good for the board i think any tips

[Millo]

snowboard - You've got Milton Keynes Xscape near you, I would be all oover it like a rash if I were you, though the landings are somewhat less amusing.

[j3r3m7]

Yeah, the XScape is good. Just popped there the other week, had some amusing boardslides to cocyx slams on the sliders... ouch!

[Millo]

I think I may go for some cocyx love sunday morning. My bird is trying to get me to wear a helmet to ride in for the coming season - anyone got any pointers to whether they are worth it - and the way the nagging is going does anyone know which ones are any good.
Please do not read the above the wrong way - no puns intended.

[j3r3m7]

Millo,

I started wearing a helmet a few years ago when hiring gear in the US. I was a bit anti it at first as I thought a) it would be uncomfortable b) it would look stupid c) I didn't need it

Now, 3 years on I won't board without one. I've got Burton helmet that is extremely comfortable, and in fact feels better than wearing a woolly hat.
It's fairly cool in normal weather and when it snows you don't get that soggy feeling as the snow runs off the hat, not soaking in. You also get a great fit with googles so boarding when it's pelting down isn't a problem.

As for needing one... I hit a kicker last year with a bit too much speed, flipped upside down and landed on my head... got concussion giving me a 2 minute memory syndrome which lasted a few hours. We're lucky to go boarding with mates who are doctors so I had a diagnosis on the slope but I dread to think what would have happened if I hadn't been wearing a lid.

Also, think about being hit by other people, I've had a good number of close shaves with skiers (and other boarders) over the years and like the idea of some head protection for the ones in the future.

Style wise... well you can't beat a cool woolly hat but the new helmets are starting to look better, and people do get out of the way when you come down the hill.

I like the burton helmet with no ear flaps... covering your ears tends to mess with the balance so I wear a thin beanie under the helmet in very cold weather.

[Millo]

Jeremy,

It wasn't so much a style thing as a balance thing - like wearing a hat surfing, my balance tends to go a bit and for some reason get a wee bit disorientated, so actually you answered my question, thanks bud. Looks like a trip to SS20!