So, once you’re comfy with switch and riding boxes, the next step is switch board slides. You’re now entering the realm of jibbing combos…
1. APPROACH
Roll in switch (that’s right, backwards) with a flat base and knees bent. Don’t go too fast but not too slow– just enough to get on and slide the feature. Keep looking at the rail or box and get ready to pop.
2. POP
The pop is the same as the others – get low and ready to ollie off the jump using your tail, though in this case your tail is what would normally be your nose. Once airborne, think about getting sideways and boardsliding by rotating your leading shoulder.
3. POSITIONING
Having rotated your shoulders and landed on the feature in the boardslide position, keep the board flat based. I know I’ve said it a million times but this – along with having your knees bent and looking at the end of the rail – is what locks you into your trick! As you start to approach the end, think about the 270 out and keeping your weight on your back leg.
4. STYLING
Steeze wise, keep low – this helps with balance. Arms not too high, just enough to keep you balanced.
5. LANDING
With a 270 out this is the hard part! As you reach the end of the obstacle with your weight on your back leg, start to look back up the feature. Then rotate your shoulders and finally your hips as you spring off the obstacle. Keep looking for your landing – this will bring you around 270. Make sure you commit, otherwise it could end in tears! As you’re spinning, you should see the top of the feature you just slid, then the side of it, then finally the glorious landing. Put in down in the stomping position (a little bit of toe edge will help kill the rotation) then boom! Ride away and straight to the lodge for a celebratory brew – you deserve it!