Sunday, April 5th, 'Hot Cross' Hog Hill slalom, London

[stridey]

We are renting the short circuit for a dual slalom race. This means we can't offer a freeride hill on this occasion, but if you want to enter a 4 cone ramp start race on a PERFECT hill with runout, this is for you.
Sign up is at: http://www.ncdsa.com/contest_registration.asp?ContestID=409

[robert borek]

are you welcome if you have never slalomed before in your life and dont know a thing about it?

[SamG]

Certainly are! Most of the skaters have spare kit and will lend out a board for a quick bash. There isn't much to slalom - just turn one way, then the other, repeat and psyche out the person next to you.

[stridey]

are you welcome if you have never slalomed before in your life and dont know a thing about it?

Absolutttteeerrrrrlllllyyyyyy. You will find slalomers really do encourage others. You will be friends right up to the start. The biitterest of enemies till the finish line, then the best of friends immediately afterwards.

EVERY racer has the potential to lose against every other racer. Racing a newbie is hard, because if they take it slow and do a clean run, they may beat a racer hitting cones through nerves or speed.

I GUARANTEE you will not have any worries. At all.

[robert borek]

wow, that sounds good!!

do you need a particularly special board? ive got some narrow trucks and soft wheels... what kinda wheelbase deck would be good? might get a board setup and have a go at it beforehand!

[longboard gav]

stridey,will there be any where to practise for the beginers.those of us that dont skate much through the winter might feel the need to mooch over to another part of the track for "research"purposes,just to get a feel for the terrain etc.would be nice to get freeride thing going if there is enough interest dont you think.

dry weather skater

[stridey]

There is an EXCELLENT practice area right by where we have the ramps. For racers to put a few cones down. But the long part of the circuit will be in use by cyclists, so no runs there.

have a look at this footage to see approx cone spacing:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=7kpoArVlwmY

[robert borek]

damn theyre close... any award going for knocking them all over?

[skateboardphil]

How actually close will the tightest cones get? 5ft? 6ft?

[stridey]

5ft.

[robdooley]

[quote="robert borek"]damn theyre close... any award going for knocking them all over? [/quote]
Dont hold me to my word, but i have heard that if you knock them all over, you win £10000000000000000

And im not joking.

[stridey]

Don't worry too much about spacing. Fact is that a course is meant to be difficult the first few times of practice. Once you trust your wheels, maybe adjust trucks, work on wheelbase, you'll find it possible. What it does do is teach just how far wheels can grip, or drift, and it helps your all round riding too.

One good way of putting cones down to practice is to put the first one down, then do 6 pigeon steps, and put the next one down.

Your mind will take over, its a weird thing, you think its impossible, but the brain kicks in and you get immense satisfaction making the course. Once you can do it at a reasonable speed you try to go faster and faster until the gains arn't there.

Hog Hill is a great location, the hill is just right, with a perfect uphill run out, so you can concentrate on the racing.

The ramp starts are fun, and the crowd are really encouraging. I think the first time you make the course everyone watching is there with you, and the stoke spreads.

There is indeed a million pound prize if you hit all the cones. Trouble is we plant mines under 3 of them. Just to discourage people , like.

[SamG]

Typical wheelbase should be in the 19"-21" range. And use a wibbly wobbly front truck. And the brightest coloured wheels know to man. These will catch your oponent's eye and cause him to fall headlong in the mire. Or her.

[wafflesole]

Rob, come along. There will be loads of different board to try. The non racing course will have a selection of easier courses. It'll be a blast.

[simplepsy]

sounds like a plan

Better really try to crack my wiggle in 09 then