It’s incredibly challenging to master the art of snowboarding, especially when it comes to carving. In this article, I’ll talk about some of the common mistakes that people make when it comes to carving.
Not Following-Through
One of the most common mistakes people make when carving is not following through with their turn. This is a common issue that riders tend to make as they transition from one direction to another.
This can prevent the board from finding the edge. Instead, riders should stay with the turn until the end of the carve to allow their momentum and weight to carry them through the next turn. Doing so will enable them to avoid getting hit by other riders and potentially make the turn unpredictable.
Being Low on Speed
One of the most critical factors that a good carve should have is speed. Beginners tend to try and carve slowly, preventing them from getting the board to the edge. This will also prevent them from leaning over enough for a good carve.
You don’t need to go fast down the hill to have a good carve. Make sure you have the necessary speed and momentum to get the board to the edge.
Bad Posture
One of the most common mistakes people make when carving is needing the right posture. This will prevent them from being able to maintain pressure over the edge.
For carving, you must have the proper posture. It should involve getting a sound footing and relaxing your body.
Not Hitting Your Edge
You’ll leverage the board’s heel or toeside when carving a slope. The toeside is typically the direction that the toes are facing while riding.
When carving to the right, lean your toeside while riding with your right foot. When carving to the left, lean toe side while riding with your left foot.
After you have identified the right edge, you can start carving. However, it’s important to commit to riding on that edge. Flat-basing can prevent you from getting a good carve.
Having the Wrong Snowboard
Short-freestyle snowboards can pose more problems than you might expect. If you’re planning on carving on this type of board, consider getting an all-mountain board to learn more.
Free-ride and freestyle snowboarding are two of the most popular forms of snowboarding. Freestyle riders are known to use flexible snowboards to perform tricks, such as spins, quick gags, and flip-flops. On the flip side, carving involves long, flowing turns.
These are some of the most common mistakes that people make when it comes to snowboarding. If you’re unsure of what you’re doing, ask someone to film you while you’re carving. Check the footage to see what areas you can improve!