Learning Snowboard Rails
Learning snowboard rails is a step forward in getting better at snowboarding. Rails are a huge part of progressing your freestyle snowboarding techniques. Although it was a long time ago I still remember my first time hitting a rail. There was this fallen Aspen tree that was 30' long and had a 6' drop off the end. I had only been snowboarding once or twice before, but my friend who was teaching me said to just go for it.
The first couple of times I fell off before I even got half way. On my third try I almost made it all the way across, but fell and hit the end of the tree with my chest. I tumbled about 50' down the hill before coming to a stop and I just started laughing. I guess I was laughing to hard though, because I never herd the warning calls from my friend.
About 15 seconds after I came to a stop I felt this tremendous pain in my lower back, like something ran into me. Something did run into me, it was the Aspen tree. The runaway log slide was out to get me because I broke it. It didn't really hurt all that bad, actually I think my stomach hurt worse because I laughed so hard about it. Hopefully, your first experience will better. Here are some tips on hitting snowboard rails.
Selecting The Right Rail:
Since your just learning snowboard rails you want to stick with a straight and flat rail or box. Most snowboard parks have beginner rails. They are usually 6'-8' long and are only a couple of inches off the ground. Make sure to start with a rail that you can ride right on to it. As your techniques improve you can try hitting rails that are higher off the ground or ones where you have to ollie on to them or hit a jump to get to them.
Visualize:
Once you have picked your rail start visualizing your self approaching it, getting on it, and riding it to the end with a clean exit off. By visualizing it you can pre-program your subconscious to help your body feel more natural and comfortable on the rail. Visualization is one of the best methods for learning snowboard rails. You can even start your "pre-programming" right now.
Approach:
Approaching a beginner rail isn't as big of a deal as it is when you are approaching a more advanced rail. Since the rail is short, small and you can basically just ride right on to it, judging the right speed isn't that big of a deal. Begin your approach about 10 feet or less from the rail and just go with the natural momentum, try not to speed check, it could throw you off. Approach the rail in a straight line, as if you were already riding it. If the level of the ground before the rail is really flat trying starting your approach further away because it is better to have too much speed than not enough speed.
Hitting A Rail:
The trick to learning snowboard rails is to keep your head up and your eyes focused on the end of the rail. Do not look down. Keep your knees bent and your body centered over your board. If you feel like your coming off, don't try to re-adjust. Re-adjusting on a rail, can lead to a wipe out. Remember just go with the flow.
Build Your Own Rail
Build a snowboard rail and master rails without going to the resort. Making a simple rail to practice on is easy. We have been building rails for years now and it is a lot of fun. Some work great, while others aren't so good. We've put together a simple rail that anyone can build check out our Build A Snowboard Rail for the instructions.
Learning snowboard rails is actually very easy and something that every snowboarder should do. Getting good at rails doesn't even take that long either. All you have to do is just go hit rails all day long. In just a couple of days of focusing on hitting rails you can get good fast. Good Luck and Have Fun!!
For more help with Learning Snowboard Rails, check out Snowboard Rail Training.
Learning snowboard rails is fun but can sometimes be challenging especially if you aren't already in shape. Developing a strong core of muscles is the best way to making rail riding easier. We've put together a bunch of Snowboard Exercises to help you get started with your workouts.
But if you really want to step it up and get amazing results and develop a strong core fast I recommend checking out the program I've been using for the past 3 years.
Coach Lomax is a genius and I have never been in better snowboarding shape. You should definitely check out his program, the best thing about it is you DON'T need any weights, gym memberships, or home equipment, just your body. Check out Workout Without Weights Now!
