 Poster: A snowHead
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I was flirting with the dark side last night having had my first snowboarding lesson on the dry slope. I now know the true meaning of pain! It was a really good laugh though and I've signed up for another few lessons. I need some advice on the best form of protection for my knees, I don't think they can take much more!
My midlife crisis deepened when the class offered to buy our teacher a drink after the lesson - he politely refused saying he had to get up for school in the morning 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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ickabodblue, welcome to the darkside, my advice is learn on snow and save the knees - I understand that the technique needed to initially learn to turn on plastic is exagerated and not good practice.
Even younger than the local bobbie eh, 
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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ickabodblue, must agree with rayscoops. My two sons started learning on plastic, years ago, and couldn't really hack it, it was so deeply unpleasant. One, in particular, was a tough lad and now skis and boards extremely well on snow and isn't afraid of anything. Do yourself a favour and get over to Milton Keynes or somewhere (I learnt there, and falling on the snow really isn't too bad even when you're well past middle age).
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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ickabodblue, Aldi have workers kneepads in stock right now, two types of hardshell and one soft, All are suitable for brush or snow . . . and they're dirt cheap . . . and I wouldn't venture near bristle without a bumpad either . . . even a home-made one 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Masque, Thanks,
there is an Aldi near me and I will go tomorrow. I have a large, soft bumpad that's all natural 
I know the mat isn't ideal (trust me my poor knees certainly know), but it's a five minute drive for me so it's really convenient.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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ickabodblue,
I learnt to board on a dryslope and while it certainly was a painful learning experience I found that the learning curve was massively accelerated such that I was comfortably riding all over the mountain after my first full week on snow. I did think after 3 weeks of dryslope leassons I was never going to get the hang of it though.
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Dryslope is fine: every one of Britain's current World Cup team apart from Angus Leith and Lesley McKenna spent their formative years on dryslope - actually, most of them are under 25 so they still are in their formative years. So if you're happy only being as good as them then dryslope will suit you fine... And dryslope is a lot cheaper than the snowdomes, so you get more bang for yor buck. Literally.
You can get cheap knee protectors which fit under riding kit from motocross suppliers. And stick a bit of camping roll-mat down the back of your trousers.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| ickabodblue wrote: |
| I need some advice on the best form of protection for my knees, I don't think they can take much more! |
Stick to skiing?
Mind you, there is lots to be said for it on the days when the snow is heavy or waist deep... Lots of luck, my wrists couldn't take the hammering I gave them (snowboarding before the wisecracks begin!)
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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ickabodblue, If you are looking into some form of knee protection that will last you a long time, then you might consider dainese, they cater for extreme sports (I use their shinpads whilst BMXing)
They are well and truly up to the job, but they do come at a premium price....
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Hmmm, I was thinking of doing a learn to board in a day course at Tamworth over the summer but never got round to it which is a shame. I was told by a boarding instructor at Gloucester, where I'm training as a ski instructor, that I could join in with some of their sessions but I'm a wee bit hesitant about doing it on dry and this threads rather confirmed that! 
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| Quote: |
they do come at a premium price....
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I find the cheap skateboarding knee pads from Go Sport were fine, though I love my Dainese armoured knickers and wrist guards. Like IncogSkiSno I hurt my neck on my first day - catch a back edge and you go over, down the slope, like a tree. The helmet saves the head, but the forces transmitted to neck are considerable. Stiff and sore for a few days, and that was on snow. Of course the tough guys can learn on dry slopes, just like all the fearless 14 year olds hurling themselves down roads on their skateboards, but for most of us, especially those past their prime, snow is a lot kinder and less discouraging!
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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maggi, oh yes, you should see 'em. Cost a fortune, worth every penny.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Quote: |
wish you luck and hope you succeed where I failed
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Me too - tried twice, failed twice 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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If looking for Dainese body armour I've found it cheaper to look at Motorcycle clothing suppliers rather than ski wear / outdoor persuit shops / websites.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I know a bloke selling a nice deep blue Porsche 911 at a good price for a midlife crisis...
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| Odin wrote: |
| If looking for Dainese body armour I've found it cheaper to look at Motorcycle clothing suppliers rather than ski wear / outdoor persuit shops / websites. |
True - and as it's the end of the summer some mountain bike sites have a lot of sales due also.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I can turn!!! and I didn't fall tonite at all, obviously not pushing myself hard enough but, hey, it was fun!
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ickabodblue, come to the dark ad become 'one' with the snow.
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Masque, Are you my father?
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FAQ
Been there done that and have now given up, why be cr@p at two things when you can just be cr@p at one. I suffered a whiplash injury from learning on a dryslope, and have vowed not to try snowboarding again untill I have lots of spare skiing time. As for pads, I wore skateboarders hardhshell knee pads, Dainese kids hardshell bum pad, and Dakine wrist guards (an absolute must IMHO) all of which offered no protection for my neck. 
