ISSA - International Slalom Skateboarding Association

Vlad Popov wrote:Wes liked an alpine set-up overall, if I understand correctly. His first time in hardboots was phenomenal. Maybe you’d like to share with others, Wes?

Sure, Vlad, but after I divulge my impression of hard booting, please then direct me to, and/or hook me with someone that can offer, a set up for around $300 or less (or maybe up to $100 more if it has Cateks that are either step-in or convertable to it. I’m hoping to go as inexpensive as possible though). Ebay has been apparantly unfruitful, and I'm not very excited about auction websites anyway. I need sources that are trustworthy, or where I can see the item in person before I buy.

Hardbooting is fun, and seems easy enough to start learning for people that already know how to carve a snowboard. The most trouble I had was trying to clip myself into the rear binding, but after Vlad did an adjustment to it, the mechanism was easier to clip, and I got used to them. Also, it's hard at first getting used to clipping in, and at such different angles, while not being able to bend your ankles. Using a flat area at the top of the hill so that you don’t slide when doing this is key. (<b>Vlad</b>, are the step-in version of the Catek bindings as reliable as the hand-clipped ones?) If he confirms yes, then that is the way to go, as both versions are the same price. A good way to make the transition to hardbooting before actually trying the equipment is to adjust the rear binding angle on your freeride board to match the angle of its front binding, in addition to also giving them both a more forward-facing stance. It will seem funky at first, but you only need to try it for a few runs and then go back to your regular stance. When you get on the actual equipment, your musle memory allows you to have good confidence right off at the first run.
What I liked about hardbooting was the confidence that I had at speed. Granted, just about anything is probably better than the $25 too-big pac boots that I've been using with exceptional apathy to maintanance during my return to snowboarding. But since I haven't had any interest in riding pipes or doing spinning airs and such, I’ve decided that I might as well try an aspect (or is it a genre?) of snowboarding that's new to me. So far, I’m impressed.

Thanks for letting me try it out, Vlad.

CyberVLAD,

9.15 with a single push??? This would translate into something in the 7's with full pushing.

Before I bow down before you and worship your Royal Pumpness, are you putting the tapeswitches 15ft in front of the first and after the last cone (not AT the first and last cone?)?

Pauper Pumper

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Yes, Vlad I will bring my timer on Thursday. I will be limiting my riding to grinding pool coping but you guys can knock yourself out with cyber slalom.

Vlad,

No concern here - just awe and amazement. You are a pumping machine. I gave the cyber one push thingy a single try this evening and the timer read 10.282.

Hope things thaw out in DC soon,

Michael

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I'm jealous of you guys....even if you are at a mall skating rainbow colored boards on a flat dusty surface.

I think you're right on about the first few cones, Vlad. I remember realizing this watching Gilmour once as he pushed WAY into (and actually past) the first cone. He literally made his first turn on one foot. If you get the right line and timing down in the first few secs, the rest feels almost automatic.

You said you have the cyberslalom permanently marked at Vans. Is it now allowed anytime there? Free? If this weather keeps up, I'd like to make the trek. Flat rainbow turns are better than no turns, eh ?

"Oh, God!" Noah cries, "please, anything, just get me out of Jersey in January!!"

Your not alone Noah!

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Vlad, this is interesting. I'm surprised to hear that you're not pushing all the way into the first cone. I know you CAN. But do you think it's the lack of flex in the plank that makes getting both feet on the board earlier work better for you? The rear steer? The extra height?

Like I said, I vividly remember watching JG push into a course at the P&R last spring. He was racing Mollica and pushed INTO the fitst two cones. His pushing foot actually hit the ground AT the first cone and passed it on the opposite side that his board did. As he pulled the board around the first cone with one foot, the pushing foot pulled around the oposite side of the cone and met the board with perfect timing and position to round the second cone. (The momentum looked to have the same 'swinging' effect as a mongo start) He and othes may do this all the time, for all I know. I just remember it clearly as it seemed, at the time, to give him an initial advantage over Kenny.

Why do you think it takes you longer to pump up to speed? It sure ain't due to lack of style or grace!


(Slow afternoon)

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Makes sense, Vlad, thanks.
Looking forward to riding with you all soon!
-Noah

Vlad Popov wrote:You should come skate Thursday night and then go skiing/snowboarding on Friday, Saturday and Sunday with us. Anyone can be sick on Friday. The flu doesn’t keep a calendar! I think S***** and O** are sick today, I’m getting sick this Sunday. Life is good in DC

You're right. I was very sick today. From 11am to 8pm I felt like I was on the PA/MD border and was seeing white stuff everywhere.

I'm much better now. If it dries up tomorrow anyone for a little practice? Walker Lane?

Noah, I was watching Vlad thursday night and figured out for myself that his strengths were his pump. I saw him push into the first cone and also with one less push. His score was always better if he got his feet planted on his board before the first cone. I feel everyone has strengths and should capitalize on them. Vlads is his pump and it is so powerful that he can make up the few tenths lost to gilmour, chaput or kimball. I figure he may become hard to beat if he can figure out how to add one more push.

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Some people have house music priorities on Saturday night that require morning sleep.

I got there around 1pm.

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What time do you guys meet at vans on thursdays. I wanna come check it out. I am new to the sport but am very hooked.

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Hey vlad!
Who else made it out last night? I had to work late last night.

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I am amazed at Vlad's overwhelming collection of smilies.

Vlad, YOU are raising the bar! Please keep it up!

My PVD's have been on my desk acting as paper weights since early October. I figured I'd wait until the weather got sh*tty to try em out. I mounted em up around the first of the year....and, well, you know how much riding we've been able to do since then. Again, I'm jealous that you guys have Vans.

If the P&R is not rideable for the race on the 15th, can we do a cyberslalom race at Vans? I mean, would it be possible to rope off the isle like it was on vintage day?

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Comrade Vlad, I will definately be there on THursday nite unless something makes me change to wednesday. A couple of my boys will be in town so I gotta show them around. We are planning on thursday but you never know. Sorry I missed another session at the Tail.

I can't make it tomorrow night. The very killa DJ Herbert from London is spinning at Five.

I was also planning on going to Vans on Thursday.

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Vlad, call me. 603 235 6429


Your North Eastern Valentine, TK XXXXX000000

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Vlad, I sometimes unintentionally write in ways that allow the message to be taken several different ways. I wasn't actually upset with you at all. I meant that I wished I hadn't mentioned the increase in speed before refining it to the point of doing it everytime. Next time I announce such a speed, I will be ready to prove it.

All these semantics must make people wonder if I'm really having fun with it. My answer is - Yes, definitely.

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Eat Yellow Snow

Go snowboarding..............

WesE, the other day I scored a couple of passes to Liberty. I'll flow you one of them. Get some some modern equipment (try some from this decade)...... or you could watch football.....

Have not been on a slalom board since WV. The wheels are rusted on the board.....


Don't know when I'll get back into slalom skateboarding.........

Soul carving a longboard seems to be all I need when not snowboarding........

Eat Yellow Snow

_________________
lbk

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: David Riordon on 2003-02-16 09:32 ]</font>

<img src=http://www.users.cloud9.net/~wbtway/gaythersburgh.jpg>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: William Tway on 2003-02-17 10:30 ]</font>

Gee'z Tway are u sure. It looks a lot like here in Canada.

You aren't kidding us are you? Where exactly do you have the cam mounted? Do u use it in chat rooms? Does Kenny? ooooooooooouuuh!!! :roll: :lol:

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Claude Regnier on 2003-02-17 10:48 ]</font>

I like the way that view shows off the slope so well!

I did hear on the news last night that DC got a total of 3" last winter. Hope you guys survived yesterday. We are in the middle of it right now. Here is a live view from times square.

http://www.earthcam.com/usa/newyork/timessquare/

GBJ,

Not sure what timing system you are planning to use for this years Cyber Slalom Cup but I hope to have a demo of our new tone generated system on hand if you should need it. Looking forward to my first Gathering.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: william tway on 2003-02-17 11:39 ]</font>

I've been a winter person all of my life, and this winter has been the first that really recalls the winters of my youth.

This also happens to be the third major storm in my recollection that has fallen on the Presiden't Day or George Washington's Birthday weekend.

In fact, seven of the top-ten winter storms in D.C.'s recorded history have occurred between the 7th and 21st of February.

Except for a little sleet overnight last night, this one's about as good as it's ever been.


...and Tway, I'm sure we'll be using your timing system at T3G. Hopefully the USSSF will be able to own, at least, one of our own by then.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Andy Bittner on 2003-02-17 11:46 ]</font>

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