Pool riding tips for beginners?

[omgwtfhumpingjellybeans]

Greetings and salutations from the tropics! We've just discovered a pool near our place (and probably the only pool here in Manila) and sadly none of us have had the experience riding a pool and all of us are just starting out trying to ride it. Any helpful tips in terms of doing kick turns? or deweighing one's self or staying low? Or pumping even? Thanks! Here's a pic of the pool by the way to give you an idea as to what we're dealing with

[GrassDiver]

I am a beginner pool rider and that looks real steep, however I would definitely be trying to ride it as well. There are two issues, its a lot of vert and the transitions look harsh. An experienced pool skater could prolly get a decent ride out of it, you will prolly goof around and fall alot and that will be fun as well. There is no way I would ride that without a helmet and pads, though, I am sure there will be lots of crashes.

Anyway, spend a lot of time down in the pool going medium speed and feeling out those transitions. Also, try and pump back and forth up opposing walls as if it were a vert ramp - you will ride switch on every other pass, it doesn't take long to get used to switch, just stay relaxed. The vert practice in a bowl really gets you used to the transitions of that particular pool. Pools and bowls may take a little more patience than some other stuff you may have tried, but the rewards are awesome, and you will dream of pumping transitions because its so addictive.

[Josabi476]

just work on the transitions and learn the lines until you can just feel the ride before you go in

[WillJ]

the faster you go, the easier it is... no kickturning, just loosen those trucks up and carve

[098Mindstate]

LUCKY, wish we had a single pool like that here on Okinawa. That is some insane vert though.

[omgwtfhumpingjellybeans]

Thanks for the tips everyone Yep, I've noticed that speed helps and loose trucks too. Been steadily trying to pump in between the vert and the transition. Going at it frontside feels weird though.

[Fryed]

If you are going to drop in, Lean forward! no matter what lean forward! and if you are going to fall dont lean back LEAN FORWARD and run it out.

Wear a helmet

[AlG]

any tips for carving, especially corners, besides speed? I can come into corners fine but i lose all my speed in them.

[Looptail]

What they said.
That transition is harsh. But just try carving, pumping and finding the lines that work.
Worry about kickturns and drop-ins later.
And wear helmet, pads, wrist guards, hip pads... everything.

For inspiration, try these two videos of Steve Olson.
OK, he's a legend. AND he's riding some beautiful, smooth transitions in bowls that were built for skating, not like your swimming pool....

But notice how he finds lines; pumps even on the tiniest transition to keep his speed up; and doesn't slow down or need to push even once.

Don't worry about riding straight up the transition or trying kickturns just yet. Just carve it up.

STEVE OLSON SPEED CARVING Video by HACKETT -...

Steve Olson Wins BLR Park Slalom Video by HACKETT...

Awesome find!
Have fun with it.

[edit]
Those videos don't load in my browser.
Maybe just click the video title bar.

[sk8norcal]

^ thx for that link...

yes, speed carving...

[-Mu-]

use your damn knees, and bend at the waist

[Daniel M.]

Woww you're so lucky to have that spot haha. Really jealous. I'm surprised there's no graffiti or anything... its like you're the only people that know its there haha.

[CRASS]

keep youre knees bent! over compensate a little, even. thats some steep tranny... looks rad, tho

[akimaveur]

this makes me wanna get into pool riding lol

[omgwtfhumpingjellybeans]

We've been riding it a lot these past few weeks and we've been learning to pump, kickturn and get higher up the tranny. Thanks for the tips everyone and yes, there's only a select few who know about it

pics!













we gotta make do with what we have since 'tis the only pool that we know of

[CRASS]

dude, you got a bigger version of the first pic? its a sick ass shot.

[omgwtfhumpingjellybeans]

yep, had to resize them before posting haha. didn't take them pics though, was taken by a good friend of ours

[omgwtfhumpingjellybeans]

bump, 16 year old dandoy tongco from the queen city of cebu showing us how to ride the pool



photo c/o of Brendan Goco

[bpz]

FS Boneless... sick!

[CRASS]

yep, had to resize them before posting haha. didn't take them pics though, was taken by a good friend of ours

wanna hook me up with a fullsize version?

FS Boneless... sick!

VERY