Help for New Slalomers! (please read)

[speedismyfriend]

sorry if im bumping this...but im new.

im pretty much into every style of skating. i just cant get enough of skating...so i decided to get into slalom. my bro has a gravity gs32 buttons model with randalls and gravity wheels that he just uses for cruising...so i think ill steal it from him, set up a few cones, and start my slalom debut. lol

im a good carver, which i hope will help me....and im an excellent pumper(?)..

what is riding slalom more of, pumping or carving?

i cant wait to get started!

[Muttlips]

GS is more carving and hybrid & tight are more pumping in terms of how you execute the turns. Tighter courses require quicker turns, and so pumping is typically required to get thru quicker turns, whereas GS has typically larger more open turns and so it's typically more like a carving turn compared to tight, however you do have to pump on some GS courses.

[satori]

^^^ this is an ok thread to bump imo. i'm new at slalom, but when the cones start coming at me faster, pumping technique is the only thing that gets me around them- trying to 'carve' around them (digging in with all your bond weight on one rail) would be WAY too slow.

also, i would be interested in learning how to set courses up, i notice the grassroots link from pages past is no longer working. how does one set up an 'official' course, is there a such thing?

[speedismyfriend]

so my board, gs32, would not be ideal for tight turning slalom?

[stevie]

so my board, gs32, would not be ideal for tight turning slalom?

Ideal may be different for each person, but I suspect it would not.

The issues are partly wheelbase and partly how the trucks work relative to each other. 18-19" w.b. is good for tight slalom and 20-23" for giant. The front truck should be about 10-25 degrees steeper than the back. Have light responsive bushings in front and harder/tighter bushings in back. That and super grippy, super fast wheels. Any given setup, unless it's an already tweaked complete from Sk8kings or elsewhere, will need to be tweaked by you in some way similarly..

[Brants]

Yes I also would like to see some layouts or instructional help for setting up courses. I plan on buying an axe (II or III) with my tax monies, I've never even seen slalom in real life just video clips, so any info is cool! Anyone know of any crews/races/events in or near upper midwest? or is it all east/westcoast/ southern? Seem to recall reading of a race in the Columbus Oh. area here on the fish awhile back, anyhoo anything is cool.

[bean-a-reano]

Pm bara he's from detroit and very active in the scene. Races in Columbus, Chicago, St. Louis, Wisconson. You get the idea.

[Momona Boe]

Fadell is from Detroit too, I believe - he rocks!

The setup you have is fine to learn on. It's a little long but not too bad. Are the Randal's 150's or 180's? The 180's are a bit too wide and will make it hard to get around tight cones.

Slalom is way fun in real life, the people involved are very cool and extremely helpful. Go to a local race in the Spring, even if you just go to watch. But bring your board and pads, 'cause you're gonna want to try it

[Brants]

Sweet! thanks for replies, once the weather breaks & I order the board I'll be pming the Detroit dudes for tips. Was scanning the calendar on Sk8kings, looks like the soonest/nearest event is in Wisconsin in june (Sun Prairie?) have to make an effort.
Thanks Again. . .

[speedismyfriend]

i tried slalom out today on my old skate deck with gullwing trucks and sector9 wheels....I REALLY LIKE IT. i just need a slalom specific board....what would you suggest as far as the deck, trucks and wheels?

[Xgecko]

Axe II complete from Sk8kings...best bargin for the money

[speedismyfriend]

how is the gravity ss29?

[x2x0]

(bump) i have two questions:
1. what do GS and TS stand for?
2.I'm having a hard time understanding pumping...any help (how you pump, general gist of it,etc.)?

[Joe & Nick]

[Joe & Nick]

[SweetCatarina]

Gawd Joe,

Now you got me all hot reading that.

Thanks alot.

[Birdman87]

statements like that are the reason why i think i would fit in at a slalom race...

[brainfartalerts]

statements like that are the reason why i think i would fit in at a slalom race...

Sure it isn't ther person making the statement?

[Momona Boe]

Joe makes you hot too, Brian?

[Joe & Nick]

Sure it isn't ther person making the statement?

Yeah, Gesmer is pretty hot.