How to get into freestyle snowboarding? How good do I need to be @ snowboarding before I should try Freestyle?

Question

I can carve down blue pretty comfortably and have always wanted to learn freestyle. How do I get started? I was thinking of getting private lessons... but am I even good enough to start trying freestyle? Every season, I fall a few times in the beginning, but can carve down blues without falling after a few runs.

Answer 1

It is a good idea that you are thinking about lessons.  While the skills are the same for all types of snowboarding, they are applied differently for different activities (turning, versus jumping or pipe or rails).  Being comfortable turning on blue runs is great.  However, there may be some fundamental skills that you may need to improve before heading into the park.  Many people who learn to ride freestyle by trial and error and suggestions from friend.  If you learn from a certified park instructor, you will learn a bit at a time, only heading into the terrain park when you are ready.  The result is typically fewer falls and a more solid skill set to build on.

Yes, it sound like you are good enough to start learning freestyle snowboarding.  Indeed there is a lot of freestyle that you can learn without a terrain park.  

Can you ride switch?  This is a great place to start.  That way when you start popping 180's you won't have to revert back to regular right away.  

Can you ollie or nollie?  These are great ways to get a bit of air so you can get the feel for air and landing before you hit a bigger jump.  

How about manuels and butters... if you don't know what these are, perhaps you can ask in another post as this answer is long enough already.  Buttering is a great way to put some freestyle style into your riding.

Answer 2

As long as you feel comfortable on the board, you can try freestyle anytime.  I've seen little kids who don't even look like they're old enough to be snowboarding more than a year grinding rails.

Go with a friend who rides or find someone in the terrain park and befriend them.  start with small straight  rails and smaller jumps.  Don't try to do tricks at first, just get used to the feeling of being in the air, and landing.  Once you master that, you can try 180s and 360s.  Ive seen people spin off of very small jumps.  When you get to grabbing, don't bend your body to grab the board, but bend your legs and knees to your hand.  If you bend your upper body and move your shoulders, it will throw you off balance.

  In the half pipe, ride the walls back and forth without trying to get air at first.  Once you feel comfortable at that, try to get air, but dont try spins or grabs yet.  once you are comfortable in the air and landing, you might want to try some tricks, like spins and grabs.

The most important thing: Wear a helmet. Always.

It is also good to wear wrist guards.  Wearing pads might  will boost your confidence since you don't have to worry as much about getting hurt