Snowboard Handrail 101

To really master a handrail, whether it is down the street from your house or at a local high school, you might need some tips on street jibbing. You don’t want to end up hurting yourself or others, OR worse getting in trouble with the LAW before capturing your backslide boardslide down the kink rail on video. Remember often times the places that you are riding at are NOT your property, so be aware of the risks involved. The Snowboard Handrail 101 is the best place to begin your handrail session.

1. Gear up and Go!

Call all your friends, get everything you need: shovel, water, salt, snowboards, video camera (extra tape and battery!), it doesn’t hurt to have a drop in ramp too. Your going to be on camera so make sure you wear something that looks good. Check out your location first and if the coast is clear go for it.

2. Setting up the lip!

Hand packing the lip is very important, take your time. Use water to make the snow bond better if the conditions are dry. Use salt to harden the snow if it is slushy. Once the lip is packed, let it set. While things are setting you can use this time to practice your run in and slingshots.

3. Team Meeting!

Handrail sessions are a group effort. Everyone is there to ride and get the shot, but everyone also needs to rotate and take turns filming, spotting, and slinging. To make things flow better it is always best to pre-decided on who will film first and who will hit the rail first. This way you are in and out and will reduce your chances of getting busted.

4. We Are Unwelcome Visitors!

Don’t get it twisted, we aren’t suppose to be sliding handrails with our snowboards. So if you are asked to leave by either a janitor, security, or police just be polite and leave. Take what you can get and be happy. You don’t want to end up paying a huge fine or going to jail. You never know if you nice enough maybe they will let you stay a little while longer.

5. TID (throw’n it down)

Start with something simple like a 50-50 or boardslide. Get a feel for the hand rail before you start kill’n it or you just might kill yourself. Make sure that whether you are riding, filming, spotting, pulling, or what ever to do so with pride. Don’t be lazy and not film to your best just because you aren’t riding just yet. The better you perform, the better your friends will. Maintaining the lip is vital to a good jib session. Take time in the middle of the session to re-pack the lip and always add fresh snow to the landing.

6. A Clean Exit!

Once you are all finished and you’ve gotten all the shots make sure to leave your spot in the same way that you found it. Pick up your trash, tear down the ramp, and clear off any piles of snow you might have created. Think about it, if you clean up after yourselves and leave no trace, you will probably be able to come back to the same spot in the future without security cameras watching you.

7. Congratulations, Your Ready!

Now you everything you need. You and your crew are ready to tackle any handrail or street jib and have the video to prove it. Remember to plan ahead, work as a cohesive team, and have fun.

Click here for Snowboard Rail Training, and start preparing right now at home so you can master the next set of handrails

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