‘The Art and Science of Snowboard performance’...
In order to blend the Science (the perfect technique) with the Art (our creativity) we must first understand how Snowboarding works and appreciate the ‘Science’ behind the ‘Art’, only then can we begin the quest to ride that perfect descent.
As an ‘Art’ Snowboarding is a flowing expression of our creativity as we explore the boundaries of our skills upon the canvas that is the mountain and its unlimited terrain.
As a ‘Science’ Snowboarding has an almost mechanical structure to them, a flowing but structured pattern of movements that bring about the desired result to suit the task demanded by the mountain and our creative ‘artistic’ talent.
In order to blend the Science (the perfect technique) with the Art (our creativity) we must first understand how Snowboarding works and appreciate the ‘Science’ behind the ‘Art’, only then can we begin the quest to ride that perfect descent.
The Science
The ‘Science’ of Snowboarding performance is about exploring and understanding the mechanics behind the actions that we make whilst performing efficiently and correctly our chosen discipline. It is about breaking down our technique into its basic elements before building it back up with a solid understanding of how it works, why it works and when it works.
The ‘Science’ of Snowboarding covers the 3 essential elements that create the foundations upon which ‘perfect technique’ can be built, these being:
Firstly a basic understanding of the ‘physics’ behind momentum change, this dictates the shape of your turn and will help you flow with the terrain rather than fight against it.
Secondly a basic understanding of the design and ‘technology’ of a Snowboard, understanding how your equipment is designed to work will help you understand what you actually need to do to your board in order to make it ‘perform by design rather than by force’.
Finally you need a basic understanding of how you body works, understanding the ‘bio-mechanics’ of your stance so that you can feel and execute the subtle yet effective movements that are used to manipulate, bend and flex your Ski or Board so that it ‘turns by design rather than by force’ whilst following the simple rules of momentum change already discovered.
By understanding and combining effectively these three essential technical elements you can then, in theory anyway, begin your search to match the ‘perfect technique’ to the desired task.
The ‘McNab Pressure Control system’ as published in Neil’s book ‘Go Snowboard’ Published by DK books is based upon this theory.
As your confidence builds you will begin to demand more from the desired task, slowly increasing the difficulty of each new challenge and so begins your search for the ultimate ride matching perfect technique to the mountains most perfect terrain.
Only now can you begin to really express your true ‘Artistic’ talent.
The Art
The ‘Art’ of Snowboarding performance takes your understanding of the ‘Science of Snowboard technique’ and goes beyond.
Here, ‘beyond technique’, the mountain offers you its naturally sculpted canvas and it is up to you to create your ‘Art’.
Now your creative ability fuels your desire, you must search out the creative lines that the terrain inspires in you. The challenge is unlimited, there are an infinite number of lines to ride. The more creative you ‘Artistic’ expression, the greater your mastery of the ‘Science’ must be. The greater your ability to blend the ‘Art and the Science’ the greater your results will be. From now on each descent becomes the search for a greater line, a more demanding challenge and a more perfectly performed ‘Art’.
For me, this is the essence of Freeriding, it encompasses every aspect of riding be it carving the steeps, slashing a lip, spinning off a kicker or jibbing about on one of the mountains many perfectly formed features blending the ‘Science’ with the ‘Art’ in our search for the perfect descent.
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