Riding the pipe

I can ride any run at any of the resorts in CO, been there 3 times. I am also confident in the air. But, the thing is.......

......I tried the pipe (beginer) last year. Was doing ok untill I caught my heelside edge. I severly brused my tailbone and slightly sprained my wrist. So for the rest of the year I stayed away from the pipe.

With the above stated, should I pay for lessons or just figure it out myself?? Tips ?????

Thanks, FL

Enjoy life, Snowboard!

Hey man.. I hear ya! I bruised my tailbone in the pipe, it was one of those dust on crust days.. it hurt like a bitch.

The only way you're gonna learn how to ride pipe is to figure it out on your own.. you can always take those camps and have a coach and blah blah blah.. but c'mon.. the pipe is supposed to be fun.. you're gonna fall either way if you have someone watching over you or if you're just out there yourself. Watch people that are good.. you'll pick it up fast.. save your money..

.:agatha:.

The pipe is not as easy as Ross Powers makes it look. The key is to know the edges on your board. When you go up the wall on your toe edge, you must come down on your heel edge. Likewise going up the wall on your heel edge you must land on your toe edge. Across the flats make sure the board is flat or on the up hill egde. The key is going from edge to edge. Next time you are in the pipe watch a good rider and you will see what I mean.

Hope this helps. This is pre 101 of the pipe

So,....... I guess I should concentrate on getting the edge to edge down good before I try getting air. The thing is trying to hold myself back, to take it slow so I don't hurt my tailbone again 8¬)

Enjoy life, Snowboard!

another thing to keep in mind.... when in the flats, you want your knees bent... you want to extend your legs as you are going up the trannie and wall.... just get the rhythm of it before you bust any tricks...its all about the rhythm...

Have you thought of using a tailbone and hip protector??
http://www.snowboardingtips.com/gear.html