TURNING ON A SNOWBOARD

Initially, learning how to turn using a snowboard is often challenging. Shown above is an easy way for the instructor to guide the student through a turn. The instructor holds the leading hand of the student and guides the student around a turn. This familiarizes the student with the leaning and twisting of the body in the direction of the turn. After a few repetitions of this exercise, the student is usually successful in performing the turn.

Another helpful exercise for learning how to turn is the use of the "rudder" turn. Stick your arm out in front as shown above like a rudder and point the "rudder" to the left and then to the right. Then strap in both feet and go down a shallow slope and point the "rudder" to the left for the left turn and to the right for the right turn. The "rudder" helps move your weight forward which is necessary for riding down the hill in a forward position. If your weight is back, the board will turn around and go down the hill backwards in the "fakie" position.