Yet another "can't slide" post - help appreciated

[uber_goober]

Hey folks, I'm fairly new to longboarding (but not skating) and I went out tonight to learn to slide. After an hour or so I just couldn't make the wheels break loose...though I did get the hang of really tight carves with a hand down and had the most fun I've had on a board in a long time.

So here are the details...

- I'm using a 46" pin, Indy 215's and some old 97a Santa Cruz Slimeballs (the hardest thing I have other than modern shortboard wheels)...man I'm really showing my age with those wheels...
- I'm 6'1" 180lbs-ish, so moving that much board around is no problem.

- read all I could on the site about sliding
- Totally commited to the slide. I went out with full pads and have no problem sliding on them (which I did alot of).
- I'm going moderately fast ..which I would interpret as faster than I could run out of
- I tried every weight distribution between 50-50 board and hands all the way to the point where there wasn't enough weight on my feet to keep the board under them.
- Focused mostly on the 180 Coleman the wheels just wouldn't break loose. They would totally keep traction and carve right around (I got the board up on two wheels alot).

So I'm thinking that I just can't get the runing radius I need out of my 215's to turn faster than the wheels can grip. Is that possible?

I've got some angled risers coming in the week (to tighten up turning) as well as some 97a Gravity Street Gs.

Any thoughs/ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Mile_High_Mark]

Have you tried learning "just" 180's and/or drift-type slides?

[uber_goober]

I was going for as simple as I could. Basically just trying to slide 180 degrees (which I thought was a 180 Coleman...my mistake). So you'd suggest just trying to get the board sideways first (90 degree angle to the fall line)? - Thanks.

[lsdmt]

go faster. sounds like you need more speed.

[steelduck]

You can find good info here:

http://www.geocities.com/sk8sanjose/...echniques.html

[sepsis]

So you'd suggest just trying to get the board sideways first (90 degree angle to the fall line)? - Thanks.

concentrating on that is probably a good idea. once the board has slid out, you'll complete the 180 no problem if you keep your weight on that edge (given you have enough speed).

also, it really helps to get super low and drop your * as close to the pavement as possible.

[bean-a-reano]

Are you dropping your back knee? From your knee down to your foot should be inline with your board.Your foot will be on its side. If you do this you should be able to get it to break loose.

[Mr Mellow]

That sounds a lot like me my first day of trying. Keep trying and it will happen.

It may be you are even going TOO fast if your going faster that you can run out of it. You might just not have enough control yet at that speed. Those slime balls should slide for sure.
Key points are: drop that back knee to the deck, as you get ready to slide set your leading hand down, turn heelside and kinda slide your back leg forward to 'help' the wheels break loose, once you got the board to slide its just a matter of time to get it 180.

[uber_goober]

Thanks all, for the incouragement and tips.

-John

[danevan]

try toe-slides. some people find them a lot easier to learn first. you may not, but might as well try it out, worked for me.

[kendall]

Those Slimeballs in 97a will slide well. Work on your technique.

www.cliffslider.com for more info on technique. Check the articles section - its all you need to know.

I use 97a Santa Cruz Big Balls 65mm, they are an awesome sliding wheel. I wouldn't waste money on more wheels.

Good luck

[thepinkpantherpm]

man... either you need more speed or you read the duro wrong... 97a is pretty hard...

[strictly carved]

The way i learned was to stand right on the truck mounts and start a carve put hand down and kick it hopefully that works for ya im 5.10' and 165 and if the wheels are has hard as you say they are you should have no problem good luck man