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Springtime
Freestyle Sessions at Hakuba |
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Spotlight: Iimori Tabletop
I have perfected the majority of my tricks at the jump at Iimori. It is a
medium sized jump, maybe 5 meters. You have to hike it after you jump it, but
that fact alone keeps the masses away and the lip and landing fresh. Based on
mine and my friends’ experiences, it is one of the best medium sized jumps in
Japan. Forum members Dane, Fattwins, Enderzero, and MisterSparkle have all
landed great tricks off of this beast, and can attest to its perfection. This
spotlight is dedicated to this jump and the small group of dedicated
professionals that keep it fresh everyday.
Hakuba Iimori mini-park
crew
To get to the jump at Iimori, you can park at the base of Iimori or Goryu.
If you park at Iimori all you have to do is take the smaller lift to your left.
You will see the mini-park on your left. If you park at Goryu, walk through the
trees to the course, you will walk under one lift, and then keep walking up and
in the direction of the next lift. The huge mounds of snow you will see are the
top of the mini-park. The jump is the predominant feature in the mini-park. You
will see a booth, with people hanging out inside. You have to sign your name,
address, phone number and blood-type. It sounds scary, but after crashing as
hard as a fool can crash several times, attempting 540's, I don’t think it
is possible to hurt yourself on this beauty.
After you are signed in, and outfitted with your very own official number on
a piece of tape, you are ready to go. Hike up the approach from the backside,
strap in, drop-in, and sky off. It might take you a few attempts to clear the
deck, but once you get used to the feel of this jump, you can get some great
air, and work on 180’s and 360's. The biggest I have seen off of this jump
was a 720, but that guy was crazy. For most people, 360 is about as much as you
can get off of a jump this size. If you stomp your landing in perfect form,
there is a sweet quarter-pipe immediately following your run-out. It’s a
great little sequence, and in closing I have to restate how great this jump is.
I have spent many a morning session walking up and jumping down, getting the
goods all the while. The other jumpers are in the same boat as you are, and the
attitude is laid-back and friendly. Plus...
The staff is very helpful, and fun, and they always make sure that their
jump is in top form, taking time-outs to spank the lip into a nice flat shape.
This time, the crew in
front of their jump.
Email me at ben_in_japan@hotmail.com
and I can give you a few secret pointers about this jump.
Trick Tip - Frontside 360, by Benjamin Rok
Yours truly performing a Frontside 360 at
the bottom of the Hakuba 47
halfpipe
CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE
Frontside 360's are my favorite trick. Once you get one or two, you will
be able to do this trick 90% of the time you try it, as long as you commit and
don’t come up short. Once you get the feel for spinning in the air, your
freestyle riding will progress rapidly.
The best place to learn frontside 360’s is a spot you would never expect.
At the bottom of the halfpipe, the walls come down, such that there is no vert
or wall, but the circular transition leading up to what would be the wall,
remains. When learning a frontside 360, you want to jump off of this transition
on either side of the pipe, where the top of the transition is only 2.5-3 feet
above the flat.
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If you can’t ride the pipe, just make turns halfway up and down the
walls, it’s good practice anyway. Approach the bottom of the pipe at a nice
relaxed cruizey speed
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Once you reach the area near the bottom of the pipe, spot your take-off
point. Once you start to spin, you are more or less acting on instinct, so it
is very important to get a solid look at your jump before you hit it.
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As you approach the jump, cock your body back, such that you bring your
front shoulder to your back knee. Hold this position all the way in the flat
area before take-off.
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As you start to ride up the transition, snap your upper body around 180
degrees, and lead with your head. Swing those arms!
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As you go off the jump, continue this motion with your upper body, and
swing your hips and tuck your knees. Your legs and board will spin naturally.
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Look down and you will see the ground right below you. When you have spun
360 degrees, land on your board. Landings are easiest when you land on your
tail.
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The great thing about learning this jump at the bottom of the pipe, is that
you are jumping up, onto higher ground, so you are really never more than 30 cm
off of the ground. If you fall, there are zero consequences. If you are sitting
at home, you can practice this motion in your living room to prepare. Next time
I am at the hill, I want to see legions of annoyed pipe riders, wondering why
everyone is taking up valuble run time creeping to the bottom of the pipe, then
jumping a few feet off the bottom. When you have mastered this motion and can
do it consistently, use this same motion off of small tabletops on soft days.
In time, it will become second-nature. Have fun!!
After All is Said and Done
This is the first in a series of articles of freestyle snowboarding. I hope
to remain injury-free long enough to soak in all of what Japan’s freestyle
scene has to offer. I think the best part about freestyling is the feel of it
all. The sense of community and friendship is much more alive with the
freestyle types than it is with the nomadic backcountry types, whose
relationships are more serious. For me, there is nothing better than sessioning
a hit or a backcountry kicker with friends, pushing each other, stepping it up,
stomping your tricks, and watching your friends do the same. Freestyle is also
accessible. If you don’t feel up to the big jumps and rails, there are plenty
of smaller ones right along side. People will always give you good advice, and
the sense of accomplishment in landing a big trick is mind-blowing. Several
times I have suffered adrenaline shock, not being able to speak after landing
something big.
Above all I want to say please be safe. I almost always wear a helmet, and
have been very happy when it was there to protect my head. Wrist guards and
back protection are also readily available, and can keep you out in the parks
for a lot longer time.
Finally, I’d like to say thanks to SnowJapan.com staff and readers and all
of the people I have met so far this season.
Peace.
See ya!
