Beginners Guide to Rail Slides
Rails can be one of the most intimidating things to ride... it's pretty alien to ride on something other than snow... especially something that happens to be metal and dangerous. BUT they are totally doable.Let's start with some basic tips:
- Wear a helmet!!!
- Learn to ollie and get air!
- Have a well-tuned board. If you can swing it, get a good park-riding-board suitable for YOUR body.
- Stretch out. If you're not feeling awesome and at the top of your game, don't even bother. Be balanced. Don't risk injury.
- Ride where you feel comfortable: find a good park with a decent beginners rail-object, ideally low to the ground. It's best to learn in a park, or if you have a local spot (be legal and respectful) in your area, then that works, too!
- Observe other riders and how they are performing on various rail-slide objects.
- Remember that this can damage your board, so be sure to find non-abrasive surfaces. If your board slams on the rail too hard, it could break!
- Don't attempt any of this until you are ready and comfortable in your skill level and on your board. Snowboarding is inherently dangerous that can result in injury or death. Patience is a virtue.
- Have fun!!!
1. We recommend taking a few runs as if you were about to hit the rail: start where you would start if you were going to hit it and figure out your speed. Ride to the side of the rail. It will ease your mind to know what it's like to ride so close to your object.
2. When you are ready to ride the rail, approach it with enough speed to make it, but be cautious, too.
3. Ollie / Jump up early and high enough to get up on to and over the object. Remember to always have a good stance with bent knees and remain loose.
4. Plant your board perpendicular for a rail slide or parallel for a 50/50 grind. We recommend starting with your board perpendicular. This will feel the most comfortable. (There are of course many variations and tricks, but that will come with time and practice)
5. Allow your speed and air to carry you across. Plant your board lightly and let your weight settle slowly onto the rail-object. Focus on the end of the slide to help you ride it all the way.
6. As your weight settles onto the object, be prepared for a change in speed. Metal will carry you faster than wood. Keep your center of gravity over the board. If you lean too far frontside or backside, your board could slip out from underneath you... this doesn't mean a major crash though... if you stay low and keep your cool, you can just ride it off.
7. Approaching the end of the slide, hop up slightly and straighten out your board so you can ride out forward.
Congratulations! That wasn't too bad, was it? Bask in the glory and try it again!
7. Approaching the end of the slide, hop up slightly and straighten out your board so you can ride out forward.
Congratulations! That wasn't too bad, was it? Bask in the glory and try it again!