Skate Rat Supply

Robin Scott asked:


Nose - the nose is the end that usually point’s downhill

Tail - the tail is the end that usually points uphill

Toe edge - the side of the board where your toes are

Heel edge - the side of the board where your heels are

binding - the thing that binds your foot to the board.

Regular vs. Goofy

Picture yourself sliding downhill sideways. Which side is facing downhill, you’re right or left? Alternatively, imagine yourself sliding across the kitchen floor in your socks. Which foot is forward? If you answered left, you’re “regular”. If you answered right, you’re “goofy”. On a snowboard, your feet are not perfectly pointed straight toward the toe edge, they are slightly angled either to the left (regular) or to the right (goofy). Your “leading foot” (the foot that goes down the hill first) for a regular person, this is the left foot, for a goofy person, it’s the right. The board pictured above is a regular board. On a goofy board, the nose is on the right and the tail is on the left.

Riding the Board

The first unusual factor you need to get used to thinking about is that you can face any direction while riding downhill on a snowboard. You can go down the slope backwards, that is, with your toes pointed uphill and your back in the direction in which you’re traveling. You can go down the hill nose end first or tail end first. You can go downhill facing downhill, or you can do anything in between. Wicked hey?

The uphill edge

bare in mind while you are snowboarding, always put pressure on the uphill edge of the board. So, if you are going down the mountain backwards, that is, facing uphill, your pressure will be on your toes. This way of facing the mountain is called “toeside” for obvious reasons. If you are going down the mountain facing downhill, your pressure will be on your heels. This is called “heel side”. DON’T put pressure on the downhill edge. It will cause you to fall over. Think about it. If you are heel side (that is, traveling downhill and facing downhill) and you dig the downhill edge (the toe edge) into the snow, what do you think will happen? The board will stop and you will keep going, causing you to tumble over your board and fall flat on your face. Similarly, if you are toeside (traveling downhill backwards) and your heel edge digs in, what is going to happen? Your board will stop and you won’t, causing your backside to slam into the ground. And guess what this is known as?????????

Balancing front-back

The balance point is the center of your weight relative to the surface of the board. Try this: at a standstill, position the board so that it is perpendicular to the slope and you are facing downhill. Now, tilt the toe edge of the board up and down using your ankles, move yourself front and back until you find the spot where you won’t tip over. That’s your balance point. The balance point changes with the softness of the snow because in soft snow, you’ll have to tilt your board away from the incline more so than you would on hard-packed snow. Try going heel side slowly down an incline by reducing the pressure applied by your heels.

Balancing left-right

For the most part, try to keep your weight evenly distributed between your two feet. You don’t want to put more weight on the uphill foot. Why not? The surface of the board under the leading (downhill) foot is largely what steers you. Just think of a sled going down a hill. The steering is in the front; friction on the sides of these blades will make it turn. If that analogy didn’t work for you, then consider this one: Ever done a pop-a-wheelie on your bike as a kid? What happens when you steer while your front wheel is in the air? It has no effect on your direction, right? No control. Same thing with a snowboard, if there is no pressure on the leading end (the downhill foot), you have no steering.

Stopping

a stop is a lot like a hockey-stop on ice skates. You bring the board perpendicular to the slope and dig the uphill edge in. If you are heel side (if you are facing downhill) you stop by digging your heels in. If you are toeside, (if you are facing uphill) you stop by digging your toes in. Slowing down is basically the same thing. It’s just that when you want to stop you apply a lot of pressure fast. At the same time, you’ll be balancing your weight (shifting your balance point) so you don’t upset your position to the point where you tip over. Practice stopping heel side. Then practice stopping toeside.

Turning

Okay, this part is important, so pay attention. Start with your board perpendicular to (that is, horizontal across) the slope and then apply less and less pressure to the edge and see what happens. The leading foot tends to go downhill. If you stay in this position, with the lead foot downhill and the board parallel with the slope, you’ll go fast. To turn, start digging the heels in. What happens? You turn heel side. If you had dug your toes in instead, you would have turned toeside. WAIT UNTIL the nose of your board is pointed directly downhill BEFORE digging in the edge. Always look in the direction where you want to go. You have a tendency to go where you are looking because your head is followed by your shoulders/upper body and then by your hips. It may help to stick your hand out in the direction you want to go. This will help get your shoulder to turn. Avoid looking at the ground right in front of you, especially when you are toeside. Instead, when you are toeside, look over your shoulder in the direction you think you want to turn. When you want to actually turn, let your shoulder follow your head. Your hips and feet will follow.

macattack1234 asked:


Does anyone know what the best skate/ bmx style helmet is?
there’s no real price range i’ll pay more for something better.
Cheer’s

Jasmine Stone asked:


If you’re eager to hit the slopes as soon as possible and finally learn how to snowboard like a pro but still lack the essential snowboarding gear and equipment to get started on your hobby, here’s a quick shopping list so you can purchase everything you need from the shop in the shortest time possible!

A List of Snowboarding Gear and Equipment for Beginners

Snowboard - Let’s start with the most obvious requirement in snowboard gear. Your choice of snowboard will determine the quality of performance you’ll expect from yourself and from the snowboard itself. Your choice will also determine the level of agility and speed you’ll enjoy when you’re snowboarding.

There are three primary types of snowboards. Freestyle snowboards are short and most suitable for novice snowboarders such as yourself not only because of their size but for its flexibility as well. You’ll be able to control freestyle snowboards more easily than other types of boards.

The second type is known as freeride snowboards. These are best for snowboarders who are one or a few levels beyond the novice stage but can in no way refer to themselves as experts…for the time being. Freeride snowboards, incidentally, are arguably the most popular type of snowboard as it allows people to gauge their snowboarding skills and explore their talents without putting themselves in too much danger.

The last type is called alpine snowboards. Whereas freestyle snowboards are known for its flexibility, alpine snowboards are known for its rigid build. They are great for players with highly advanced snowboarding skills and enjoy the thrills of going downhill in incredible speed. This is also the right type of board to use if you wish to make perfect turns and curves.

Snowboard Bindings - Although they may appear flimsy and useless, snowboard bindings in fact play a significant role in keeping snowboarders safe while practicing their favorite sport. There are several types of snowboard bindings for you to choose from: strapped, flow-ins, plated, step-ins, and those without base (baseless).

Snowboarding Boots - Another equally overlooked factor when it comes to increasing the level of safety and protection that a snowboarder enjoys while he’s making all sorts of turns and jumps in the slopes are snowboarding boots. Besides offering comfort and warmth to your feet, they also prevent this area - which includes the ankles - from physical injury, or at least reduce the risk of encountering it. Again, there are several types of snowboarding boots that you can choose from - hard boots, soft boots, and those that mix the features of both. When purchasing snowboarding boots, make sure that you purchase those which are durable and you feel comfortable wearing for long periods of time.

Snowboarding Outfit - Just like boots, the right snowboarding outfit will keep you safe and secure from physical harm. It will also keep you warm and lessen the risks of getting affected by hypothermia or frostbite. When shopping for snowboarding apparel, important factors to consider are comfort, quality, and durability or protection against all the natural elements that it will be sure to be exposed to!

Snowboarding Goggles - Lastly, contrary to popular belief, snowboarding goggles are not used for aesthetic purposes only. Rather, they are worn by snowboarders to improve their sense of sight. It’s important to see very clearly where you’re going because there are a lot of dangers that you’ll encounter when you’re snowboarding.

Rachel D asked:


I want to learn to snow board. I am good a skate boarding. Are they similar? Or two completly diffrent things? What are some tips to help me start out?

Melissa Allen asked:


As you may have noticed from the title, this edition’s column is dedicated to animal lovers. While hopefully all of you realize how important your health is to living a happy and fulfilling life, many people overlook their pet’s health in the process. In reality, exercising with your pet not only keeps them in good health, it can be motivating for you as well. There have been times when I certainly didn’t feel like working out, but when I think about how unfair it is to my dog to neglect her health, I feel more motivated to do so. And since Bossy (my dog), has learned from past experience that putting on a shoe, getting a bike from the garage, or even walking in the general vicinity of an in-line skate may mean a workout for her (she’s spoiled), I am even more motivated to go even when I don’t feel like it.

There are a number of fantastic activities you can do with your dog around San Diego County. All you need to do is engage your imagination. Having your dog with you is like exercising with a partner—it’s motivating, stimulating, and fun! Dogs simply want to please you, so unlike a human being they rarely complain that the route is boring, they would rather be doing something else, or they have a headache. They simply want to be wherever you are. What more could you ask?

One of my favorite places to take Bossy is to Lake Murray, although any smooth track or sidewalk will do. We grab the in-line skates, her leash, a harness, a couple water bottles in a hip pack, and some sunglasses (for me, not Bossy), and away we go! My husband, Bossy and I just went there last Saturday and had a great time. Bossy was the talk of the lake!

Another thing I really like to do is go hiking with her. San Diego is full of fantastic trails and it is a shame not to get out there and enjoy the beautiful outdoors. Just make sure that the trail allows dogs, and bring plenty of water since sometimes you may be out there for hours and it can get pretty warm. We always put Bossy’s boots on if the terrain will be rough or hot. You can pick up a pair of “doggy hiking boots” at your local pet store that will prevent your pet from getting blisters on his/ her pads.

Another of my favorite activities is to take Bossy biking by tying her leash onto my street bike, as this allows her to gallop rather than trop, so she can stretch her legs. She absolutely loves it! There is even a special contraption I have seen at a trade show that is made specifically for attaching your dog to your bike. Your animal should be trained to heel so that he/ she will stay on one side of the bike and run in the appropriate position. Remain on a relatively flat surface when riding with your dog and don’t attempt to go off-road.

And of course there is the old standby of running with your pet. Again it makes things much easier if the dog is already trained to heel. A collar or harness will work fine depending on your preference, but if your dog pulls I would suggest a harness rather than a collar.

This year my husband and I plan to take our dog backpacking. She already has her own dog pack (believe it or not they actually sell them) so she can carry her own food and water. Every bit of space counts when backpacking. Those are some of the things we enjoy, but you can come up with your own activities. I think you will find that your animals love being with you outdoors, so get out there with them so you can both enjoy it!

To summarize:

• Use your imagination and get creative!

• Purchase the proper equipment

• Start your pet out slowly and get him/ her used to the activity

• Always prepare by bringing plenty of water

• Let your dog rest periodically and drink when thirsty

• Use good sense and know your dog’s limitations

• Enjoy yourselves!

James Johnson asked:


Ice hockey is a sport that is favored in colder climates during winter and has fans all over the world. It is believed that hockey is tied to prehistoric times, although the word hockey has only been used since the 16th century to describe the game. In 1893, the first of the matches were held at both Yale University and John Hopkins University and in 1903. The first professional team formed was called the Portage Lakers in Michigan.

Since those times, indoor Ice hockey has become a popular sport. With the hard surface of the ice, pucks flying at over 100 miles per hour at times and the rough way that the game is played by teams opposing each other, Ice Hockey can be very hazardous for the people playing it.

Safety Gear

Safety gear has been introduced to the game to keep players from sustaining serious injury. Some of the main safety gear that is used by professional and amateur players alike is:

Helmets,

Shoulder pads,

Elbow pads,

Mouth guards,

Gloves,

Padded shorts,

Breezers,

Shin guards,

And, often, neck guards.

Goaltenders also need specialized equipment such as masks and extra padded equipment to keep them safe from flying pucks while defending the goals. All of this safety equipment is a must when playing the game and most of it is considered mandatory.

Ice Hockey Skates

Another bit of equipment that is used for playing ice hockey are ice hockey skates. These are made from a base of leather or nylon boots. Professionals prefer not to use nylon as they are said to make it harder to manoeuver in them. The thick leather or nylon in the boots helps players to protect themselves from being hit in the shins and ankles.

There is also a blade used at the bottom of the skates. This blade helps to make moving on the ice easy. Ice hockey skates are much the same style as figure skates, although ice hockey skates have a rounded blade on them to help avoid injury to other players.

Ice Hockey Sticks

Ice hockey sticks are one of the main tools used in the game and are generally made of wood. The hockey stick is around 200cm long and has a flat extension at the bottom of the stick known as the blade. Blades and sticks can vary in size depending on the player who is using them. Many professional players have their sticks customized to suit them.

The blade is curved in the same direction the ice skater moves, the stick has been designed that way to assist in lifting and keeping the puck off of the playing surface.

Ice Hockey Helmets

The ice hockey helmets need to be measured by the size or circumference of the player’s head just above the eyebrows to ensure a proper fit. An ideal ice hockey helmet will fit comfortably and not shift around the head. There should never be rotation or looseness in a helmet as this may cover the player’s field of vision.

The inside of a helmet is made of a material called Vinyl nitrate. Vinyl nitrate is especially useful for absorbing force or impact from direct hits to the head from pucks, hockey sticks or direct contact with the ice.

Helmets are often fitted with visors. This is mainly to protect a player’s eyes. With younger players and in some leagues, it is mandatory to use a visor while playing. Other mandatory equipment includes special masks, especially for young players or those who play ice hockey at a university. These players are required to use a mask made from metal or thick plastic attached to their helmets to protect their face from injury.

Gus asked:


My favourite labels are eS, Etnies & Emerica.

filipp3tt0 asked:

riprese fatte con atc2k

anonymous asked:


Snowboarding is the ultimate thrill you can achieve on the slopes; surfers, windsurfers and skaters are guilty to have inspired this sport and everyone else seems to be following the example. While there are no restriction on who can practice snowboarding, there are some differences between snowboards for girls and those that are for boys.

The Differences In The Snowboards For Girls And Boys

The difference is not in the practice of the sport itself but only in the snowboard and that is the size of the snowboard, which is smaller in the case of the one for girls. There is no restriction in the case that a girl wishes to use a boy’s snowboard however, it is suggested girls use snowboards for girls for the following reasons: the size and the weight.

While some girls are able to handle a heavier, larger snowboard, other girls who are medium height and weight find it difficult; therefore the snowboard for girls is lighter and considerably smaller.

Like surfing, snowboarding is a sport that is based on nature and when you are on a slope, flying through the winds on the tip of the snow, any extra weight or size can bring you down. The snowboard, like the surfing board, becomes one with the rider and, therefore, it needs to be proportionate with the same.

Finding The Right Snowboard For You

If you are shopping for your first snowboard, you may want to first weigh yourself and ensure you know your height before you go to the store to buy or rent, for these are the two criteria by which you should consider purchasing your snowboard.

Try and rent a snowboard at first to see the difference between snowboards for girls and boys as well as to get a grip of the sport. Only after that, you might be ready to purchase your first snowboard.

Other Essential Snowboarding Equipment

In order to make snowboarding a safe sport you will need to ensure you have the right equipment, as well, besides the snowboard itself and that is: the helmet which will protect your head in case of a fall, padding for your knees, hips and well as elbows as those are the areas most prone to getting hurt in case you may fall, the snowboarding suit, which is similar to the skiing suit and the gloves to protect your hands.

Additional to the above mentioned items, you will need glasses to protect your eyes from the glare of the snow as well as the wind blowing directly in your eyes.

Enjoy a unique sport, which will bring you excitement and fun.

PamelaRoberts asked:

Watch local Pt. Townsend youth teach how to skate board.