Snowboarding Part II

After recovering from countless falls from my last snowboarding trip on Jan 19, I was determined to try it at least one more time.

I went to Liberty Mountain again on Feb 9 with my colleagues, Jianshi and Vladimir, together with his wife, Dijana and a new Singaporean friend I made, Charlene.

Because we did not have to rent a car, we reached there around 1pm. As I had lost my previous ticket, I could not get a mountain pass that day. If I had the mountain pass, this trip would be free for me. On hindsight, it was better that I did not get it since this winter season was coming to an end. I would rather utilize the pass for a full season. The cheaper alternative to renting the gears and getting a lift pass was to pay $77 for a lesson again.

I thought it would be a waste of time but I was proven wrong. Charlene and I joined a group taught by James Abbey. Since he had started with the group, he briefed on what we had missed. Sometime later, another person joined us and he patiently repeated the lesson to her all over again.

Compared to my first snowboard instructor and him, they were miles apart. James was professional to go around each person to check that our shoes were fitted snugly to the snowboard. He demonstrated alternative placement of the free foot. Now, I found I could move faster and freer, placing my free foot on the toe side than heel side of the board. He also corrected our individual mistakes by observing us one at a time.

I also learnt from him how to stop the helicopter effect where there was changing in the leading legs upon slowing down. The trick was to continue to shift my weight onto the same leg, which in my case was the right.

After one and half hour of lesson, I was ready to practice more. This time, I came prepared for falling. My secret weapons were wrist guard and two sponges (the type used for washing car) which I tugged into my ski pants. My jacket was large enough to cover the protruding 'bums'. The sponges really cushioned my falls.

My satisfaction came from not falling thrice while getting off from the lift and better maneuvers on the heel and toe sides.

I also thank God that my wallet was not lost when I looked down and saw that it was on my snowboard. It had dropped out of my pocket. Being a novice snowboarder, I am grateful that I did not suffer any major bodily harm where I witnessed a man falling off and injuring his right arm. He had to be escorted by a medic down the slope.

All said and done, I am looking forward to the next winter season where I visualize myself snowboarding down the hill.