Tips and Tricks

So, you just got your hands on one of the newest and most effective snowboard training aids on the market. Now what? How do you use this thing?

Here are a few tips to get your grom sliding, smiling, and shredding!

Keep It Short and Fun

The BabyBoarder Stick is a training aid, but the real goal of every session is to introduce your little shredder to the mountain, the snow, and the thrill of snowboarding.

Keep sessions short, positive, and fun. Finish while they're still excited so they want to come back again and again. Improvement will come with time - the BabyBoarder Stick just makes that time a lot more fun!

Take frequent breaks for warmth, snacks, water, and bathroom trips. Kids having fun do not always notice when they're tired, cold, or overdue for a break.

Find Their Lead Foot

Start on flat ground or a very gentle slope. Beginner areas near a magic carpet can be great, provided the resort allows the BabyBoarder Stick and you remain clear of lift equipment and other riders.

Before attaching the Stick, determine which foot your child prefers to have in front. Gently slide them with each foot leading and see which direction appears more natural.

You can also stand slightly downhill and ask them to turn and slide toward you. The shoulder they naturally look over may indicate their preferred lead foot:

• Left foot forward: Regular
• Right foot forward: Goofy

Don't worry too much if their preference isn't obvious. Young children may be comfortable in either direction (or they'll be better than you switch in a couple years anyway!)

Once you've identified their lead foot, install the BabyBoarder base plate beneath the rear binding by following the How to Install instructions. Perform a complete equipment check, strap your child in, and you're ready to begin!

Begin With a Straight Glide

Older children and adults should learn to skate with one foot, but little riders often benefit from experiencing the fun of sliding right away. You can introduce skating once they're comfortable and excited to keep learning.

On flat ground or a very gentle slope:

1. Use the BabyBoarder Stick to position the rider with the board pointing downhill.
2. Make sure the path and runout are clear.
3. Begin moving them forward gently.
4. Use the grips to provide light stability if they start leaning to one side.
5. Start slowly and increase the glide only as their balance and comfort improve.

The goal is to help them become comfortable moving sideways - not to set any slalom records.

Explore Balance Through Play

Once your child feels comfortable with a straight glide, use small, gentle movements to help them explore how their weight affects the board.

• Apply light downward pressure to introduce the feeling of weighting the tail.
• Use light upward guidance to introduce the feeling of weighting the nose.
• Use the pistol grip gently to help them feel the difference between the front and back foot.

Keep these movements slow, subtle, and controlled. Do not lift the child, force the board into position, or make abrupt movements. The goal is to introduce balance and board awareness while keeping your future Olympian relaxed and laughing.

Introduce the Edges

Children often learn best by copying what they see. Demonstrate a heel-side position and then a toe-side position. Help your child feel each position while standing still before trying it during a glide.

Choose simple, consistent words they can remember:

Colored tape on the board can help young children connect each edge with a visual cue. Phrases such as "slice the snow" can also make the movement easier to understand.

The goal is for your child to recognize three things: the body position, how it feels, and what it makes the snowboard do.

Practice One Edge at a Time

Place a visible target across the gentle slope, such as a cone or another safe marker. A small snowman that your child gets to knock over can make a great destination.

Begin with a slow, straight glide. Apply light pressure through the BabyBoarder Stick to help the board move toward the desired edge while encouraging the child to use the position you practiced.

If they need more assistance, gradually increase the guidance while keeping the movement smooth. The BabyBoarder Stick should help them discover the edge - not replace their own body position.

Repeat several glides on the same edge before changing sides. This gives the child time to build familiarity and muscle memory. There is no need to link turns immediately.

Practice the Other Edge

When your child is comfortable using the first edge, repeat the same process on the opposite edge:

1. Review the position while stationary.
2. Repeat the same simple cue.
3. Choose a clear target.
4. Begin with a slow glide.
5. Provide only as much guidance as needed.
6. Praise the movement you want them to repeat.

Some children will prefer one edge at first. That is normal. Keep both sides positive and avoid turning the session into a test.

Link the First Turns

Once your child recognizes both edge positions and has practiced each one several times, begin linking gentle turns.

Start with a slow glide and use smooth left-and-right guidance through the BabyBoarder Stick. Because the child has already felt both positions, they may begin moving onto each edge with only a simple verbal cue or light assistance.

Keep the turns wide, slow, and predictable. As their balance improves, reduce the amount of help you provide so they begin initiating the movements themselves.

Stopping

Though I'm not a huge fan of stopping, I suppose it's a necessary skill.

For this find a steeper slope, preferably not too long, and position your child on one of the edges. Use the BabyBoard Stick to slightly flatten out the board. The board will begin to slip so encourage the child to begin tilting it up again. They'll feel it stop. Do this several times and then try to do a sideslip or "grinding" the snow to encourage them to slow down gradually.

Though most children are more comfortable slipping on the heel-edge, make sure they feel that both edges can slow them down

Use Short, Positive Cues

Avoid giving several instructions at once. Young children usually respond best to one short cue at a time and not while they're in action:

• "Go towards the fence"
• "Use your front blade"
• "Slice the snow."
• "Grind the snow"

Be specific when praising them. Instead of only saying, "Good job," try:

• "You stayed balanced all by yourself!"
• "You used your front cutter!"
• "That was a smooth stop!"
• "You looked right where you wanted to go!"

Know When to Stop

End the session if your child becomes cold, tired, frightened, frustrated, or uncomfortable - even if they say they want one more run. A short session that ends with a smile is more valuable than a long session that ends in tears.

The goal isn't to rush into linking turns or more difficult terrain. It's to build comfort, confidence, and a lasting love of snowboarding.

Always use the BabyBoarder Stick under direct adult supervision, at slow speeds, and on suitable beginner terrain. Follow the Safety and Use instructions, resort rules, and all directions from instructors, lift operators, and ski patrol.