How to Carve on a Snowboard
Carving is a basic maneuver in snowboarding, which requires a bit of training before it can be performed properly. Professional skateboarders won’t have much trouble doing this, but if you’re a beginner, you’ll surely end up falling a few times. To carve on a snowboard the right way, here’s what to do.
What You’ll Need:
Snowboard
Helmet
Snowboard clothing and boots
Goggles
Snowboard leash
Companion
Procedure:
Dress yourself as snugly as possible, but still allowing you to move freely. This will prevent you from getting hypothermia. Also, always snowboard with someone. In case of emergency, there will be someone to help you out.
Find a hill with a moderate slope. Climb to the top with your snowboard.
Get into the right carving stance. Adjust your weight, so you’re resting on either your heels or toes. Bend your knees. Your body’s weight must be at the center of your board, and not on the back foot, as this might cause you to slide as you carve. Align your shoulder with the board, keeping it steady; you shouldn’t move it at any point in the turn. Prevent from bending or hunching over, or you’ll lose your balance, especially when you come to a sharp turn.
When you carve, start first with just your front foot, on a flat terrain, before you use your back foot. This enables you to get used to controlling your board using your front foot. Don’t pivot the board, or push your back foot,. Since this won’t make you turn anyway.
Start with a toe-side turn. Slightly lean forward, lifting your heels then turning your shoulder towards the right.
As you’re coming up the end of the turn, face your shoulders forward, then slightly arch your back. This way, your board is now flat on the snow, neither of the edges engaged.
Lean forward, bending your knees; your body should be flexible and low.
Do a heel-side turn, rotating your shoulders to the left, while lifting up your toes then leaning back slightly.
As you come to the heel side turn’s end, straighten up then turn your shoulders downhill.
Start the second toe side turn, by leaning to the front, while keeping your body flexible and the knees bent. Rotate your shoulders towards the toe side, as you slightly lift your heels.
Some Tips:
Try turning with both your feet in. Begin with you front feet, and follow with your back foot. You can either go on your heels or toes with the front foot first, then do the same with the back foot, as you get in the turn. This twists the board, making it smoother.
For deeper sharper turns, bend your heels or toes a bit lower.
Continue carving all the way downwards, so your speed can be controlled.
Never attempt to carve in places with non-frozen water or big rocks.
If you aren’t very good at snowboarding, you can practice skateboarding first. As you get better, you can conquer the snowy slopes. Remember, safety is very important, so don’t forget to wear goggles and a helmet when you carve.