Last Updated1 June 2022

Learning Beginner Turns offers an example progression to help students make their first turns, building upon the skills in the First-Timer progression, and work towards linking turns. These activities should be carried out on a groomed beginner area or gentle green slope. Generic goals for any learn-to-turn lesson include safe stopping; moving across the slope on both edges; speed control; and turning.

Keeping the class safe is your responsibility, so stop them on the sides of the runs and in places that will not cause problems for other beginners. Keep referring back to previous exercises that you have already done with your class. There are only small changes from exercise to exercise, whether it be an added movement or a timing change.

Linking Beginner Turns

What, Why, How

With the confidence of C-turns onto both edges, the next step is to link the two turns together to form an S shape or series of S-turns.

The goal of linking turns is to develop rhythm and confidence, and to begin exploring new terrain.

Start with a C-turn and instead of stopping after one turn continue riding and make the next turn.

Keep momentum from one turn to the next ensuring the last turn has been completed with control across the hill.

Using a traverse at the end of each turn gives time to get ready for the next turn and avoid other slope users.

As confidence increases, reduce the traverse ensuring the eyes are looking in the direction of travel.

VIDEO: Beginner Skidded Turns with Rich Waldie

Example

Adapting the information to a series of basic movement words in a rhythm or rhyme: “Try saying to yourself, up - over - down - around, up - over - down - around, to help get the appropriate movement at the correct time and start to develop some flow to our turns."

Movements & Board Performance

Lateral with Edging

Small progressive lateral movement is needed to move the hips across the board to change edge and balance over the new uphill edge. Keeping the COM over the board helps to maintain balance during these slow speed turns. This also helps in keeping a low edge angle and allows the board to skid. Twist is used for effective initiation.

Vertical with Pressure

Vertical movement consists of an extension to help move the hips across the board and flexion through the control and completion phases to aid balance and manage the minimal pressure that is created.

Rotational with Steering

Rotational movement should be focused in the lower body. The front knee and hip will steer the board through the control and completion of the turn. The upper body and head will move with the lower body to maintain alignment. Rotational movements should start to ease off as the rider completes the turn in a traverse and prepares for the next turn.

Longitudinal

Movement ideally will remain centred. A slight fore movement can be used to aid turn initiation, moving back to centre, in the control and completion phases.

Terrain & Group Management

As soon as your student has achieved C-turns in both directions encourage them to start linking their turns on the same terrain. Don’t wait to see the perfect C-turn as it can be easier to balance with a little more momentum. They should already have the skills needed to link turns from the steered traverses exercise. Drawing an S in the snow then overlaying the garland drawing through the middle can help with their understanding here. Use traverses after each turn to allow time for your student to balance and consider their next turn.

Once students can confidently link turns, structured mileage is essential to reinforce skills and create rhythm and flow within their turns. Use plenty of guided practice with constant feedback. A good option is to have students follow your track initially, before progressing to choosing their own line. Once the student is displaying rhythm and speed control, and if they are confident, they are ready to progress to steeper green runs. Establish stopping points further down the run to allow for self practice and help foster rhythm in their riding.

Example

Focus your student’s attention on the track they are leaving in the snow: “Look at my track and see if you can ride within it. Now it’s your turn to lead but try to make your track as smooth as possible.

Corrective Teaching

Student catches downhill edge:

Reinforce the timing of the edge change with students and that they focus on bringing the COM and hip up and over to the new edge, encouraging patience.

Give verbal cues as they are making the turn.

Draw a track on the snow indicating the board’s path and highlight where the edge change should take place. Then have them follow your track.

Student loses momentum on their toeside:

Have students focus on the direction of travel, rather than looking back up the hill.

Encourage patience and a progressive turn shape through the completion of the turn.

Add a little flexion to the completion of the turn to help blend the other movements more progressively.

Student uses one turn more than the other for speed control:

Focus their attention on turn symmetry and the feeling of rhythm in their riding.

Revisit steered traverses on the edge they are struggling to control speed, focusing on creating smooth steering through the completion of the turn.

Set visual points to look at directly across the hill to encourage a more closed turn shape.

Self Reflection

“Can my students control their speed using both the toe and heel turns?”

“Are they looking in the direction of travel continuously?”

Tags: