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March, 2024

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Being a pussy

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JOP178
Posts: 111 - Karma: 10
This is really going to be my first season in the park, but i'm pretty confident.  I live in Illinois so i get to go skiing like once or twice every 2 weeks which sucks but for as much as i go skiing, i think i'm pretty good. 

So this Saturday i got out for the first time this year and it was just awful.  I was just so terrified of the rails for some reason, i don't know why.  I felt confident and everything before, but now i just feel like a bitch.  I would go up to the rail and just bail.  I don't know if it's that i'm afraid of getting hurt or what.  Maybe it's that i don't want to embaress myself infront of all the other people in the park.  I built a little 10 foot rail in my backyard out of 2' PVC and i can hit that decently, but when i get into the park i'm just such a bitch.

I'm gonna get flamed so bad for this.... fuck

Dec 14 2008 11:27PM
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snarfsnarf44
Posts: 294 - Karma: 12
watch some 4bi9 and nimbus edits, or anyone super confident on rails, and listen to pump-up music. then find some wet wood boards and slide them on ur shoes. its great practice.
  come into the rail like, IM SO STEEZY AND IM GONNA STOMP HE SHIT OUT OF THIS
Dec 14 2008 11:34PM
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JuliusJ
Posts: 3778 - Karma: 2,106
just work your way up to build up your confidence. i mean, you've pretty much got a whole season ahead of you. don't go all out right away. and sometimes, you just got to go for things
Dec 14 2008 11:36PM
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Shadows
Posts: 8068 - Karma: 42
this is going to sound pretty dumb but after watching turbo ive noticed a few things about myself....
i dont want it THAT bad.
tom, wesson, LJ, rainville, henrik etc. fuckin kill it haha. after watchin some of that shit i realized the only difference between pros/super good skiers and everyone else is that they WANT it more. anyone can do what those kids are doing, it just depends on how hard you work at it and how strong your desire is to get it.
it just sounds like youre trying to be good.... dont try and be good. try and have fun - the being good part will come later. and then youll get to a point where having fun is droppin hammers and killin shit.
Dec 14 2008 11:36PM
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popNfresh44
Posts: 3757 - Karma: 44
just tell yourself to step your game up

its all a mental block, break it down with a sledgehammer son
Dec 14 2008 11:39PM
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JOP178
Posts: 111 - Karma: 10
It is all mental.  I can see myself doing it but i just talk myself out of it.  Thanks for the advice so far guys.
Dec 14 2008 11:41PM
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cfox
Posts: 2286 - Karma: 40
i dont have that problem because im hella good must suck for you though.
Dec 14 2008 11:48PM
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HeathR
Posts: 4357 - Karma: 1,379
im like that with rails sometimes. Especially at the beginning of the year. Just start on the easiest and work your way up. It comes back soon enough. You just need to get that confidence up.
Dec 14 2008 11:50PM
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eljefe
Posts: 914 - Karma: 465
just ski down there and jump off of something for crying out loud.

Seriously though, break things down. Figure out which part of the trick or rail is scaring you. Then figure out how to work on that specific skill set or fear.
Dec 14 2008 11:53PM
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JOP178
Posts: 111 - Karma: 10
Alright, I'm usually at Cascade or Alpine so if you see me there (i have a black jacket and JO Pros) and i'm being a bitch, hit me with your poles or call me names and taunt me.  Thanks
Dec 14 2008 11:56PM
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Shlogan
Posts: 4942 - Karma: 430
that was acually really motivating. thanks so much man +k
Dec 14 2008 11:58PM
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Thenowhereman42
Posts: 5682 - Karma: 65
Take a few shots.

Maybe just one if your a lightweight but seriously there is that perfect alcohol balance to be found where you have boosted confidence but no noticeable drop in motor skills.

Someone told me once that Chuck Lidell said he usually takes a shot or two before getting in the ring.  Don't know how true that is but just pretend its from a credible source and do that shit.

I'm just saying since this seems to be a drastic problem.

At my hill they have a 4X20 box which is just ridiculous easy to learn on but just find the widest box on your mountain and work down.
Dec 15 2008 12:14AM
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quixotic
Posts: 6937 - Karma: 2,978
Don't worry about what other people think of you in the park... If they are better than you, it means at some point they were at the same skill level as you.  Riders who are better than you get stoked on you sliding a rail too.  I know when I am at a drop in and I've seen the same kid trying over and over again to just slide a rail and then when they get it, I get really stoked for them and give them props.  Just do your thing and have fun.
Dec 15 2008 12:21AM
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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
I like to nail everything I did last season on day one.  I know I can do it already, so I can push the fear aside for the season and start progressing.
Dec 15 2008 2:13AM
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lolcats
Posts: 14 - Karma: 10
word, great fucking post man. BcL also had some pretty solid words of wisdom.
Dec 15 2008 2:21AM
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Dukeybrains
Posts: 1030 - Karma: 11
quit being so hard on yourself for starters. rails are scary it's all good
Dec 15 2008 2:43AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24703 - Karma: 29,680
are people actually starting to say hella who arent from northern california now?

I NEVER hear it anywhere else..
Dec 15 2008 2:48AM
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B.Aussie
Posts: 5851 - Karma: 4,522
It's just like in "Run Fatboy Run" you've hit "the wall" and now you have to get through it.
Try and visualise yourself doing it over and over again like when you go to bed at night, when your going to your hill and just before you go until you have no doubt in your mind that you can do it. Before you do it listen to pump up music and visualise it again until you have complete confidence then take a deep breath and go for it!
Dec 15 2008 3:55AM
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sneaky_pete
Posts: 543 - Karma: 47
yeah its all in your head. just practice a bunch on fat boxes, get really comfortable with you balance first. then you just have to not think about it and try the rails. once you try them you'll be fine, be confident, and just say fuck it-then huck it.
Dec 15 2008 8:52AM
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CakedWiddit
Posts: 268 - Karma: 13

Just get some good beats goin...Wham! and White Snake should get you ready to hit it big

but really i had the same problem last season after i messed up my leg...just start gettin some pop off gnolls..get your spins back on them, and everything else will come right back

Dec 15 2008 8:57AM
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CakedWiddit
Posts: 268 - Karma: 13

Just get some good beats goin...Wham! and White Snake should get you ready to hit it big

but really i had the same problem last season after i messed up my leg...just start gettin some pop off gnolls..get your spins back on them, and everything else will come right back

Dec 15 2008 8:57AM
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-NY-STeeZE-
Posts: 2114 - Karma: 23
well put
Dec 15 2008 9:30AM
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tricker
Posts: 43 - Karma: 10
Hey man i've just started to get into park this year too.
Just like everyone else is saying, just don't think about it and go do it.
Commitment is everything, escpecially with rails.  The first couple times i found i had problems with leaning back but if i just focused on putting weight on my front foot and looking towards the end of the rail, i didnt fall
Dec 15 2008 12:54PM
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skiblandford
Posts: 1503 - Karma: 2

dont worry about what other people in the park think. they were just like you at one point and most likeley they dont care about how you ski so just ski have fun and progress at your own rate

Dec 15 2008 1:13PM
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Avifarer
Posts: 5926 - Karma: 598
Word man, great post. Really well put
Dec 15 2008 1:50PM
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CakedWiddit
Posts: 268 - Karma: 13
Yo and keep us updated...people on here will def support you and get you pumped over your progression
Dec 15 2008 1:52PM
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feihlination
Posts: 8356 - Karma: 1,084

good point

ski for fun & only a little for getting better. if its funny you will get better. being a pro might sound like a dream, but i am pretty sure that 90 % on this site simply dont want to become full-time pros. maybe they would start it, but after a few years a lot of them will drop off.

were all pretty much skiing for fun or because its the greatest thing in the world (without knowing exactly why). but when your pro --> you ski to progress. if you dont, you get dropped. maybe your body is screaming: "stop it" but you gotta go for it.

i dont say that i dont want to get sponsored in my dreams. but i am pretty sure that its not that great.

back in the day i wanted to become a mtb-pro. i am kinda decent. trained only in summer and still beat a few all-year training kids. but then you get into this scene with pros. high-class athletes that HAVE to train everyday and you look at them while racing and think: "no, thats not what i want to be"

it might be a little more relaxed in skiing, but its getting more professional every day

Dec 15 2008 2:02PM
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plorr
Posts: 3131 - Karma: 529
Don't worry about it man, everyone has days like that. My third or fourth day out this year i took a really bad fall trying to learn 270s on an urban style rail, and the rest of the day i had a lot of trouble commiting to anything. The next day out tho i just told myself to stop being a bitch and i can almost get them consistenly now. You shouldnt really be worried about if other people think you suck, but if you are, think about it; who is gunna get more respect, a kid who sacks up and hits the rail and then falls, or a kid who keeps riding up to it and bailing? Just don't think too much, and tell yourself that nothing is going to come out of pussing out. Just know you will have an infinitely better day if you just sack up and commit.
Dec 15 2008 3:40PM
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Aaaron.
Posts: 11817 - Karma: 903
it's becoming trendy.
Dec 15 2008 3:42PM
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sykonaut
Posts: 346 - Karma: 11
Mang, you are taking skiing way to seriously. I love skiing. I ski 5 times a week. I still don't take it seriously though. I myself am still shit scared of boxes and rails and I have been skiing for 14 years! Doing it on the hill is much different then in your backyard that is for sure. You just need to stop worrying about the other people around you. If people laugh? Fuck them. Next time that bite it, they won't be laughing anymore.
Rails aren't skiing for one. So don't base your ability on rails/boxes. Rip it how you want to rip it. Not how the pros rip it.
Dec 15 2008 3:58PM
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7-11_Slurpee
Posts: 1142 - Karma: 1,552
i progress sooooooooo much faster when im with my friends. at the beginning of this yr. i was skiing with a bunch of my friends, and out of nowhere i just hit a rail and rode away perfect. (last yr i sucked at rails)  so now when i try things i just dont even think about it. honestly, the less seriously i take skiing, the better i get. now dont get me wrong, i take skiing way seriously, but i dont get angry when i cant get a trick or somthing.

SPARKNOTES
i like skiing
Dec 15 2008 4:22PM
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pussymoneyweed
Posts: 2055 - Karma: 60
didn't read the threads above but this is my first year really in park too and really i found that suprisingly envision it and don't tell anyone what your going to do,and just go don't bail just go clear your mind and focus on stomping the shit out of it
Dec 15 2008 5:38PM
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Crack.
Posts: 6020 - Karma: 86
it's kind of ironic that you say this because it is my first year in the park too. And I just got rails down last night. I know what you mean completely. You get so pumped only to finally come up to the rail and pussy out because you just don't have the confidence. I was there. The only thing I can tell you is too just get some confidence and just do it. That's all I told myself is that if I wanted to get good i had to do this rail. Eventually you'll get it don't worry. It was hard for me too but I am now good at rails and it is mad fun.
Dec 15 2008 6:19PM
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TheGreen
Posts: 504 - Karma: 41
well for me it's the opposite, if I don't tell anyone what I'm gonna do, I end up not doing it. When I tell everyone I'm going to try this specific trick, then I feel like I have no choice cause I don't want to look like a pussy. I know it sounds stupid but it works for me.
Dec 15 2008 10:07PM
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.Brink.
Posts: 1622 - Karma: 188
hahahahahahaha
Dec 15 2008 10:10PM
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add_on_skis
Posts: 64 - Karma: 17
Try a box. Its easier to progress rails when you work on boxes first.
Dec 15 2008 10:11PM
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HPskier
Posts: 1072 - Karma: 30
where do you live, i live in chicago and teach at wilmot, i'll help you out...
Dec 15 2008 10:15PM
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Kevski
Posts: 7056 - Karma: 2,785
Think about exactly what you need to do (centered stance, low, etc.) before you drop in. Visualize it, get pumped, but then when you ski down just get really chill and relaxed and hit the rail like it's the easiest thing ever. You'll find it easier and you'll be steezier.

If you're nervous just push that to the back of your mind, somehow focus on how fun it'll be, or whatever it takes to be calm and confident. Basically don't be tense.

I went up to momentum, and I had the most messed up style the first day, because I was so worried about getting my money's worth, and not looking dumb in front of all the pros, and not having skied in months, so I was tense and in a really aggressive mood. The next day I just thought over my priorities, let all the knowlege sit with me, got really relaxed, and I was sliding rails with more style than I ever had before.
Dec 15 2008 10:21PM
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.SimonB.
Posts: 1959 - Karma: 713
i don't know if you can do boxes, but find a wide box and slowly work to thinner ones, then find a rail that is practically buried in the ground. if you can grind the buried rail by stepping on to it, then you will be fine hitting a bigger one with speed
Dec 15 2008 10:23PM
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ataraxia
Posts: 903 - Karma: 117
its all about commitment, after that theres minimal skill involved
Dec 15 2008 10:24PM
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A.R.
Posts: 1111 - Karma: 11
somebody is going to take that wayy to seriously.
just ride with some friends, and tell them to help you through it. pump you up.
Dec 15 2008 10:44PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
I don't blame you. I'm scared of rails too.
Dec 15 2008 11:43PM
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cfox
Posts: 2286 - Karma: 40
well im stationed in seatown for refrence ive been saying that for hella long
Dec 15 2008 11:58PM
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cfox
Posts: 2286 - Karma: 40
wait woops hahaha
Dec 15 2008 11:59PM
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cfox
Posts: 2286 - Karma: 40
wait woops hahaha
Dec 15 2008 11:59PM
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cfox
Posts: 2286 - Karma: 40
wait woops hahaha
Dec 16 2008 12:01AM
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OGSlopewatcherAssassin
Posts: 393 - Karma: 16
Clearly, you wanna have sex with dudes. Get a snowboard.
Dec 16 2008 1:23AM
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shortdawg
Posts: 1359 - Karma: 19
picture yourself sliding the rail or doing whatever before you hit it. I found that helped me this weekend when i was working on 270 offs, if you get it down in your head and are confident what you're about to do then you'll have a better chance of actually stomping it. Listening to music that pumps you up can help too. And like a few people said above, don't worry about being good, think you're the only one in the park and it's not like anybodies opinion of your skiing actually matters, good will come.
Dec 16 2008 1:29AM
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fssnivek
Posts: 283 - Karma: 10
I was like that too last year, i just started skiing park last year
the only thing i accomplished doing is the BASICS of doing a 180 of a jump. i still cant do rails, but i keep trying. you just gotta learn to have fun while learning the trick. i think its hilarious sometimes when i fall doing rails, honestly. but because of that, i just keep trying, its fun!
if you have fun while you're doing it, you wont be scared
Dec 16 2008 1:43AM
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willydj
Posts: 37 - Karma: 10
yeah man, my thoughts exactly...
whenever i fuck up i just laugh it off and go with the flow...
and so long as you think you are making fun out of something potentially shitty you will start to see the brighter side.
this might sound really gay, but i went to japan a couple years ago, met this dude who owned a sushi restaurant (this is a serious story, i'm not trying to be a jackass). anyways, he spoke english really well, so we started talking, and he ends up telling me that he's from Seattle (my home town) and that he moved to japan to become a pro sumo wrestler. long story short, he lost a ton of weight (about 200 lbs total) after reigning the championship sumo circuit in japan for 10 years, and then he opened this restaurant. i told him i ws bummed about working full time after i got home and yada yada, and he was like "will, if you just think whatever you are doing is fun, then it is fun. no one can change your mind for you." it's that simple... i've used that theory for a ton of things, and i'm having a fucking great time with life right now... in the park, i just mess around and have fun with it, there is no science, so just play around and laugh at the kids that think they are better than you. most skiers and boarders are out there to just have a good time, and the ones that are there to fuck with people and be assholes are not people you will be hanging with anyways, so its all good.
Dec 16 2008 2:49AM
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