In the event that you’ve had an Snowboarding hiatus of 10+ years or just took an unplanned break You may be thinking how easily you’ll be able to get back into it. That was the question I had following two seasons off. I did think about if snowboarding was similar to biking and how easy it would be for me to return to my favourite snow activity.
It’s like riding a bicycle, and through repetition it becomes natural. If you have not been Snowboarding for a long time, it will be easy to pick the skill back up in a short time and with ease, unlike learning as a complete beginner, this is because of the muscle memory.
Let’s dive into the factors which affect your speed of returning to snowboarding. I’ve got some useful tips lined up to ensure that the transition is as smooth as possible.
Returning to Snowboarding: Important Factors
Snowboarding is like riding a bike in the sense that if you’ve acquired the basics and are accustomed to being out on the slopes, returning to the sport will be effortless. There are some essential factors that play a role in how easily you’ll be able to return to it.
How Much Time We’ve Away from Snowboarding
The amount of time you’ve been absent from snowboarding will determine how easy it is to get back to your previous level of skill.
If you’ve been off from snowboarding for some time, for example, 10-plus years, typically, it takes your time to return to the rhythm of things. However, you’ll be very surprised at how fast you’ll be in a position to pick it back up.
If it’s been only a few years since you last rode a snowboard so this shouldn’t be a problem at all. Within the span of a day to half of a day’s riding, you’ll be feeling very confident again in your abilities. While recovering from an injury, I was off snowboarding for 2 years . in all honesty I had no trouble recovering.
If it’s been just an entire year since you last went on a ski, you don’t have anything to worry about and in fact, this kind of vacation is common. The season for snowboarding is not long and a majority of people are only able to take a snowboarding trip for one week every year.
Previous Experience
As a rule of practice, the more knowledge you had previously, and the more advanced your level of proficiency, the easier you will discover it easier to get back into snowboarding.
If you weren’t proficient in the basics the last time you went snowboarding then unfortunately you’ll be picking back up where you left off. Don’t let that put you off thou, getting good and practicing is a huge part of the enjoyment. When you’re not falling, you’re not making progress.
However when you’ve previously had extensive knowledge, the amount of time away will be much less important and you don’t really have anything to worry about. The first hour or so, sure you’ll be slightly unprepared, and it’s understandable. But at the end the day, it will feel as thou you didn’t leave.
Everyone is Different
Keep the above points in mind, it’s crucial to remember that everyone is unique. Certain people could take 10 years off snowboarding and then return to the slopes as if they had never been away, while someone else may have been away half the time and is in need for a class or two to get them feeling confident again.
Whatever time it takes you to develop the old skills do not worry about it There’s no need to rush. The key is to just go out and enjoy yourself. If you’re having trouble getting back to your normal pace A bad day on the slopes can be better than working to a high standard.
If you have had a break from snowboarding for whatever reason, lets now look at some of the methods to get back on the board as smooth as it is.
Start with the easy runs first.
Start small and work your way up. Do the easier runs first until you are able to return to your old form. There’s no reason to immediately go for the difficult ones. Slowly progress upwards.
Watch Some Snowboarding Videos
Tips for the First Day Returned Snowboarding
Sit back, relax and look over some snowboarding tutorials on YouTube. There’s a wealth of material available online and just relearning the basics can aid in reviving your memory and you could even discover something new.
YouTube channels SnowboardProCamp and SnowboardAddiction have some awesome videos. If nothing else the videos will leave you feeling motivated and eager to get out on the water again.
Be sure to check your Snowboarding Gear
If you’ve been off snowboarding for some time, prior to getting back on the slopes, be certain to inspect your equipment. Make sure everything fits properly and is in working order.
Based on how long it has been since the last time you went skiing, it could be worthwhile to invest in brand new equipment. Equipment and gear for snowboarding has changed and improved rapidly.
Personally, I wouldn’t advise the use of equipment that’s old. If it’s really outdated, it is better to replace it. New equipment is generally more secure and generally more effective. If you’re working on a tight budget then consider renting equipment to cut costs.
Consider Taking A Lesson
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with taking a class if in some way you’re not sure or lacking confidence. Lessons are easily accessible and lessons are relatively cheap.
This will also help you to re-learn the right techniques, refresh your memory and may even help to eliminate bad habits.
Lessons are easily accessible and tend to not be too vast.
Make use of visualizations
This one may sound like it’s a little woo-woo, but bear with me.
It’s no secret that visualizations and mental rehearsal are commonly used in sports by professional athletes, and can be extremely powerful.
You can close your eyes and take 10 minutes every day for a week just envisioning yourself back out on the slopes.
See yourself well balanced as you glide effortlessly turning on the snowboard. Try to be as precise as possible, the more detailed you can be, the more precise you can be. Think about how the snow feels under your skis, how the fresh mountain air feels and the thrill of descending down the slope.
Go out with your friends
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Instead of going it alone, if you’re feeling a bit uncertain then go with people who can provide moral help. The presence of someone to get your mind back on track and give some words of encouragement may help to make your life easier.
However, don’t feel pressured to take on steeper runs too soon. Take your time and go with your individual pace.
Proper Recovery
If your body isn’t used to the physical challenge that a day of skiing can provide you, then there are going to some parts of your body that will ache the next day.
Just as you should always stretch after doing an exercise or a gym session, so you should take the time to cool down after a snow day.
This is an excellent way to ensure that your body is recovering correctly after snowboarding. It can also help reduce muscle soreness the following day.
In contrast, if you have facilities at the place you’re staying in, you might want to consider getting warm before going out on the slopes by jumping into the hot tub, sauna, or shower. Warm muscles are less prone to being damaged when exercising.
