Join the ISSA 25 cone series. One cyber race every second month!

Regular sessions allow newbies to join our community and discover slalom racing.

Andy Bittner

"Practice Race"?

Andy Bittner

It's not really all that complicated, Brain. People who tend to raise the heel of their rear foot, tend to do so during toe-side turns. Less or even no weight on the heel means more weight and pressure on the toeside rail of the board, resulting in increased traction and/or pumping force.

Andy Bittner

Brain, I am right-handed, so mongo pushing is clearly not a left-handed thing. I think that, back in the 70's, there were significantly more skaters (in all disciplines) who pushed with their leading foot. In fact, I never even heard a discussion about the relative advantages and disadvantages of pu...

Andy Bittner

Brain, Just so you know, if there ever was a skateboarding discipline where Mongo pushing could be considered othodox, it'd have to be slalom. In the 70's, most of the best slalomers pushed Mongo. The obvious disadvantage would be the added difficulty in braking Mongo, but it can be done and done we...

Andy Bittner

I've gotta agree with Jack there... I think turning is the essence of slalom skateboarding. Personally, I like boxed lunge-type starts (crow hops) AND multiple push starts AND ramp starts (big, small or in-between). My fear is that standardization can kill variety, and the loss of variety will lead ...

Andy Bittner

John's as right as he's ever been here. Parallel slalom skateboarding is THE perfect training for monoskiing, and there really is no other. The primary technical physiological difference between skiing and monoskiing is that in skiing, the skiier turns by weighting the inside edge of the outside foo...

Andy Bittner

TK... that's weak. Not that I'm a "hotshot" racer or anything, and as you know I don't routinely ride parallel stance, but I'm still saying that, with a little bit of refresher practice, I think I could wax both Wesley and Bruce. I know that, at some level, this is all in good fun, but you certainly...

Andy Bittner

The question is... who's going to bet on me as the 'dark horse'? I rode parallel all the time back in the 70s, and now, of course, I own the one of a kind Ick, produced for Randy Smith, one of the parallel masters of the 70s. Heaven help the both of you, when I decide to point my toes straight down ...

Andy Bittner

Regardless of what you call it, if you can set it and it can be ridden, use it. The possibilities are almost endless. If you can imagine a course feature in your head and you DON'T go out and give it a try because you've never heard of someone else doing it, shame on you.

Andy Bittner

Cabbage, There's a young guy who posts on Ncdsa.com named Mick, who's interested in everything that's going on. I believe he just posted on the Slalom forum the other day, asking for help on finding "technique" info. Anyway... I believe he lives up in the Lutherville area, just above Towson. You mig...

Andy Bittner

To my considerable amazement, I am very happy to report that it looks like the Park and Ride will be ready for racing next weekend. That is, barring any further winter weather. The race side of the lot is almost ready today, and the drainage from the snow piles finds its' way quickly to the gutter. ...

Andy Bittner

...and I agree with you completely on foot pushing. Speaking for myself alone, slalom skateboarding came into my family as an extension of the alpine ski racing disciplines. As such, although we do use foot pushing locally, anyone who knows me knows that even with no ramp, I prefer what I call "lung...

Andy Bittner

I agree with John that start ramps shouldn't be used to try to make a lame venue somewhat less lame. However I am not for trying to jam them in whenever possible, and disagree that they look that much more professional than any well set-up starting situation. By that, I'm making reference to the no-...

Andy Bittner

Yeah... I'm a little tardy getting back to you with the current ski conditions at the Park and Race, but I can assure you there's going to be no slalom skateboarding in that parking lot tomorrow. Frankly, everybody should be keeping there eyes open for any reasonable alternative. I will check the pl...

Andy Bittner

triplet... triplet... triplet... FLAM! Uh-oh! Drummer warfare.

Andy Bittner

Unethical??? I can maybe see boorish, but not unethical. Make no mistake about it... given the chance, I'll talk you right out of the course, and I have many different ways to do it too. Humor, rhythm, commentary, etc. Never name calling though. Back in the 70's, I used to count outloud while I prac...

Andy Bittner

For whatever it's worth, I'm with Wesley Tucker on this one. I agree that it should be as simple as he is making it. 1. Run 100 cones clean 2. Do it faster than anyone else When put this way, nothing else matters. Run 'em at 4' or 10', on flat or off of a cliff. Hit one? Try again. Can't make it thr...

Andy Bittner

Bob, You must be thinking of ACS 651s, which had a baseplate of "normal" thickness. The ACS 650s have a heavy, cast baseplate that is, at least, 1/2" thick. Wedging ACS 650s would make the whole rig extremely tall.

Andy Bittner

Bet me? Yes. Beat me? Maybe. However, if you're going to tie one arm behind your back and wear a blindfold, I'm just gonna knock you down and take your wallet! Mugging blind old men is easy.

Andy Bittner

Brain, It happens all the time, but it's also kind of nifty how you managed to "discover" it on your own. In my opinion, you are showing signs of really exploring and learning about what is, for me, the joy of the sport, and that is the course. There are really almost endless ways in which a person ...

Andy Bittner

Back then? 90kg Quicksilver, original Gullwings and OJs (either SuperJuice or Slaloms, depending on the course). I still keep a version of the same board in my active quiver, with updated wheels. It is so soft and forgiving, that I'll occasionally bust it out to help me get accustomed to a course th...

Andy Bittner

Chris, this is EXCELLENT coverage. Your perspective as a European notwithstanding, I think you were fair, accurate and complimentary. It was a pleasure meeting you there, and I look forward to seeing you at future events (on either side of the Atlantic!). Maybe next time it'll be at an event where I...

Andy Bittner

Unfortunately, I'm not really sure what is being suggested here. I think there's no question that the USSSF would be interested in sending a representative to any legitimate international slalom skateboarding organization, whether the ISSA or whatever comes next. However, there is also no question t...

Andy Bittner

The U.S. Slalom Skateboarding Federation would like to offer a very sincere "Thank You!", to another contributor to the USSSF Launch Ramp Campaign. Thank you, Mark McCree. Please note that name of the USSSF PayPal account has been changed to: contributions@usssf.org Donations can also be confirmed a...

Andy Bittner

The other question is... why? Calling ourselves "Extreme" isn't an instant ticket into the X-Games anyway. How soon we forget that, early on in the X-Games history there were some inline racing disciplines, including downhill. The problem was that too many senior citizens (35 yrs. plus) were doing w...

Andy Bittner

The U.S. Slalom Skateboarding Federation would like to offer a very sincere "Thank You!", to the first three contributors to the USSSF Launch Ramp Campaign. Thank you, Glenn. Thank you, Kevin and Yvonne Gamble. Please note that name of the USSSF PayPal account has been changed to: contributions@usss...

Andy Bittner

As one of the people who set courses for FCR this year, I can tell you that most of this year's courses were set organically, relative to the hill and the conditions. I set the course on Sunday at the World Championships in Morro Bay, and I couldn't even tell you how many cones there were. What I ca...

Andy Bittner

Vlad. Wie gehts? Trinkst du? Answer: The USSSF will gladly accept any contribution (anonymously, by request). Contact or PayPal us at contributions@usssf.org Question: What is the USSSF's Launch Ramp Program? THAT is the proper Jeopardy format. Thank you, very much. <font size=-1>[ This Message was ...

Andy Bittner

Yes...? You. The little Russian kid. Comrade Vlad. Did you have a question?

I'm sorry, I'm not sure I understand what you're asking? Speak English, will ya?!

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Andy Bittner on 2002-11-01 12:28 ]</font>

Andy Bittner

Thanks, Claude... good suggestion. As for what to tell the kickflip generation, I'll set it up, attract their attention and offer 'em a chance to try it on a convenient, forgiving "spare" board that I tend to have at the ready. If they say, "naaah,"? I just tell them "It's okay, you won't be racing ...

Andy Bittner

I don't subscribe completely to John Gilmour's notion about promoting slalom as "not skateboarding". I think it is clearly skateboarding, but I can absolutely appreciate John's sentiment. Slalom is very different from what popular skateboarding became from the late-70s on, and I, for one, have no in...

Andy Bittner

This is a very exciting time for slalom skateboarding and the U.S. Slalom Skateboarding Federation, because the potential for success is greater now than it ever has been. With issues ahead such as regional amateur racing programs, rules standardization, and volunteer coordination programs to suppor...

Andy Bittner

The first hero of a revolution.

Every flood begins with a single drop.

Thank you, Adam.

Andy Bittner

I'd like to acknowledge the concern and intent of anyone who "defended" the USSSF by pointing out to Adam that he might have been harsh. Frankly, when he approached me privately first, I applauded the restraint in the way he was voicing what were otherwise legitimate concerns. I eagerly encouraged h...

Andy Bittner

Adam, I don't make the final decisions for the USSSF, but what follows is what I'd like to see, as a professional association manager, for the USSSF. What I see for the first year of the USSSF could include a quarterly magazine, a monthly "hotsheet" newsletter, a website, a national amateur champion...

Andy Bittner

Adam, Thank you for your questions and for expressing your initial impressions and concerns for the USSSF. Happily, the most serious of these concerns comes from a misunderstanding and is one that I am very happy and actually proud to address. You’ve noticed that the USSSF Charter Membership Program...

Andy Bittner

Hello. My name is Andy Bittner. I have been riding skateboard slalom, with some degree of regularity, for over 32 years. As an adult, while there were probably no more than about 20 dedicated slalom skateboarders in the world, I was accumulating business experience as a writer, photographer, salesma...

Andy Bittner

On behalf of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors, I am very proud to announce the formation of the United States Slalom Skateboarding Federation. At this time, the members of the Board of Directors of this organization are: Jack Smith (CA) – President Gareth Roe (WA) – Vice President Alan...

Andy Bittner

I agree with Vlad, basically, but would like to add this... Slalom is a discipline and Slalom Racing is a sport.

Andy Bittner

Of course, if we're presenting an opportunity for people on modern, trick decks to try slalom, we COULD set a course that is easier and more appropriate for the equipment. At such times that I am demonstrating slalom to younger skaters at the local skatepark, I'll set a course that can be made on a ...

Andy Bittner

Brain, Everything isn't going to come at once. You can refine your equipment choices and that may help, but eventually you'll probably benefit most from continuing to work on angling your feet more forward on the board. Kevin "KMG" Gamble was one of the most pronounced, side/surf stance slalomers I'...

Andy Bittner

Well, as the guy for whose courses the term "Hybrid" seemed to have been coined, I couldn't disagree more with John's assertion that "hybrid" slalom is somehow a less competitive form of course. In the first place, those of us who tend to be proponents of the "hybrid" course simply wish the term "hy...

Join the ISSA 25 cone series. One cyber race every second month!

Regular sessions allow newbies to join our community and discover slalom racing.

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