| It wasn't that long ago that the little orange ovals | | | | This is where they talk about progression. The first |
| posted over snowboard parks worldwide did not | | | | rule is to know your limits, which is of course |
| exist. When freestyle snowboarding starting to move | | | | necessary if you want to push them. It's all about |
| further and further mainstream the resorts and the | | | | working way up, taking tricks from flat, to small |
| snowboarders decided to create a method for | | | | jump, to the kickers. Don't assume that just because |
| approaching the features in a park and they called it | | | | you've got one trick then you have the others... |
| Smart Style. But what does it mean? I know that the | | | | make sure you really know the tricks. |
| orange oval means there's going to be some fun | | | | People spend hours a day doing hundreds of laps, |
| stuff to hit, but what is this 'snowboarder's code' all | | | | lifting thousands of reps and snowboarding is a lot like |
| about? | | | | that... except you are going to need to do hundreds |
| There are four parts to Smart Style: | | | | of backside 360s to know you can do a backside |
| Make a Plan | | | | 360. That's the essence of being good at any sport, |
| Pretty much common sense, this section is about | | | | repetition and easy yet constant progression. |
| knowing what you want hit in the terrain park before | | | | Did you know that inverted aerials (rodeos, backflips, |
| you drop. This means not only knowing what | | | | etc.) were not even allowed for a while? If you did |
| features you are going for and where they are, but | | | | one you would be greeted by ski patrol at the |
| also the trick you want to do and the mechanics | | | | bottom of the run. Crazy! Things finally changed and |
| (speed, approach, take off, execution, and landing) | | | | parks use the term 'not recommended'. Inverted |
| involved. This must be why they call it Smart 'Style', | | | | aerials put you in a position where you may not land |
| because if you took that approach to your runs I | | | | on your feet, so you need to know exactly what |
| don't think you would ever fall. | | | | you are doing in the air. Get a trampoline first and |
| This implies a reserved style of riding, a 'stick to | | | | work your way from there. Don't just try a backflip |
| what you know' mentality. On the weekends or | | | | on the first medium kicker of the day. |
| when snowboarding a packed run this would be a | | | | Respect Gets Respect |
| pretty good approach to avoid hitting or being hit by | | | | Like being in kindergarten all over again. Just |
| others. | | | | understand that terrain parks are risky business |
| But what about progression? | | | | regardless of skill. Also note that other people are |
| Look Before You Leap | | | | around you and anything can happen (like being cut |
| Ties right in with the last point, just know everything | | | | off on the freeway you know?). |
| about what you hit before you are hitting it. Also pay | | | | Calling your start is just a really awesome way of |
| attention to conditions. If it gets cloudy then the | | | | letting everyone know who's next. Ever been caught |
| temperature can drop drastically, colder snow moves | | | | up at the pipe and you drop but then another guy |
| faster so never assume that the feature will be the | | | | drops and everything just gets screwed up? Always |
| same. | | | | call you start on a busy feature to ensure that you |
| Another really important idea brought up is the | | | | and only you are going for it. If you fall and you |
| spotter. Especially for bigger kickers, you don't want | | | | aren't hurt get the heck out of the way spotter or |
| to be mid 1080 looking down at the skier that | | | | not. You'll have plenty of time to laugh about it later. |
| climbing up the landing for his pole. Every | | | | I have seen people blow right past the spotter (who |
| snowboarder throwing down at the park probably | | | | at this point is screaming and flailing his arms) only to |
| has someone spotting him. They not only make sure | | | | land on the guy who already is having hard time, |
| the only thing you have to worry about is doing your | | | | what with the fall and everything. |
| trick, but they make sure that the new kid behind | | | | So now that I've been through it again I think Smart |
| you doesn't just assume you landed and then land on | | | | Style is a pretty good approach to snowboarding in |
| you. | | | | general, not just freestyle terrain. The good thing is |
| Snowboarding is inherently dangerous, it is definitely | | | | that after reviewing it I can say that for the most |
| worth it to take the time to check off all the things | | | | part we all follow it, whether we knew it existed or |
| within your control that could go wrong so you only | | | | not. We are all snowboarders and snowboarders |
| have to worry about landing... right? Well said Smart | | | | abide by the snowboarder's code: Know the code! |
| Style. | | | | Smart Style! |
| Easy Style It | | | | |