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Snowboard Canada
50-50 ON A RAIL
a trick tip with molly milligan
Scarth photos
Watching Whale Rider the other day, I thought to myself, Sure, she can ride whales, but can she ride rails? Much as I suspected, she didn't have an answer. Instead, she hopped on a whale and rode it into the sea. Pretty weak, if you ask me. Before stepping up to an actual street rail, it's a good idea to have experience on them in the park. That is, unless you're core or from out East and you've already cut your teeth, quite literally, on the streets. Make sure your helmet is safely secured (that's for you, Mom). Visualizing helps, too. Picture yourself crisply popping up and landing on the rail, sticking it, then landing it, all the while hearing your fans chant your name uproariously from the sidelines. Drop in a few times to check your speed, and salt the run-in as required. Once you're ready, or it's too cold to do any more standing around, drop the F in for real, 'cause it's time to get crazy, son!
[1] As you approach, lock on visually to where you'll land on the rail. Aim farther down as opposed to jumping onto the rail too soon. This way you'll avoid edge-bonking, possible death or real bad owies.
[2] Once you're on, keep your eyes focused on the end of the rail.
[3] Keep your weight balanced over your board.
[4] As you approach the landing, get ready to ride off the rail and ride away.
[5] Get in some sweet after-bang in the landing and high-five your buddies. Then tell them Molly sent you. Follow these steps, and your chances of landing a Frontside 50-50 will be 100 per cent.
