I really need to blog about the sports psychology books I’ve been reading,  I went on a bit of a mission after the Big Air comp where I got into a negative spiral of self doubt and rode way worse than I should have done.  Long story short though I’ve been feeling a lot more positive and I’m starting to settle into my riding a lot quicker and I’m feeling more confident about hitting gas pipes (probably my most hated park feature) from the side.

Jools got some nice shots of me, and it’s good to see that I’m keeping my arms lower and generally looking more relaxed (although I do still have my “rail-face” which makes me look like I’m not enjoying myself – I am, I just don’t tend to smile when I ride).  I think my favourite of the set is this one, I love the way he’s caught the snow spray and I’m pleased to have some proof that I don’t always have my arms flayling above my head.

and here are the rest

You can also see some of the other shots Jools took that night here.

Here’s the blurb…..

The 2011 Shred Aid Calendar showcases the work of the UK’s finest snowsports photographers, in one place, to help raise money for a great cause.

The calendar forms part of the fundraising effort of a group of Scotsmen taking part in the Mongol Rally 2011. The team aim to raise a minimum of £1200 for the Christina Noble Children’s Foundation, an international chrity operating in Mongolia, looking after orphans and street children in the capital Ulaanbaatar.

Not content with merely raising valuable funds for some of the poorest people in Mongolia, we will also be delivering a fully functioning ambulance full of essential medical supplies, halfway around the globe, where it will be put to great use serving the people of Mongolia.

Go on, do your bit for charity and have 12 lovely snowy pictures to brighten your wall or cubicle….. buy the Shred Aid Calendar for £10

The Chatham crew had filled their large slope with almost all of the toys they own, although luckily they’d only put half of their long box out meaning they were able to do a quick swap for the other half when someone fell on it and went through the top. It was the usual chaotic mix of kickers and rails with a good mix of lines, some feeling quite natural to ride, others requiring a more random approach line but everyone was having a great time. The day saw an improved turnout amongst the snowboarders with 27 hitting the slope, and the day saw a good mix of seasoned locals used to the Permasnow surface and those who were new to dryslope or who were used to the (IMHO) more ride-able Snowflex surface of Warmwell. Some stuck it out and got the hang of it while others decided to enjoy spectating rather than struggling to ride but the day was fun for everyone.

Once again the competition ran as a jam session, fun throw-down hour and a 2 run final and it kept to time as well (something that’s a bit weird for a snowboarding comp) . There were too many good boys hitting the toys for any girls to make the overall final this time round but we put in a good showing nonetheless. I finished 4th in the over 14 women and 11th overall in the snowboarders so I was pretty pleased.

Unfortunately for me the edge was taken off my enjoyment by having to ride Permasnow in the hot weather, having had 1 board ruined by the stuff and seen friend’s boards and skis also die in a session I wasn’t really able to get into the flow. Thankfully Ryan at Humanity’s special base construction that he’s used on my board held up and my Plastictastic has survived and is now raring to get down to Warmwell for the series final on 12th June. I can’t wait to get back on their Snowflex kicker and if the final is half as organised as the first 2 legs then it’ll be a great day.

Once again a massive shout of thanks has to go to the Southern Freestyle Club for trying to spur on a dryslope revival….long may it continue. I had a great day and it was even better to see some new people getting hooked on plastic!

Here’s a slideshow of Jool’s shots from the day, if anyone wants a copy of the shots just drop him an email at JoolsSmithPhotos

He also managed to fit in some videoing and Branny from [shred]punk! got busy editing the footage yesterday and you can view it in the [shred]punk! 3 videocast

Ep 3 – Southern Freestyle Jam – Chatham from branny on Vimeo.

Episode 3 of the UK’s Grass Roots Podcast Series
Another short one capturing a load of the sun, fun and slams at Chatham for the second leg of the Southern Freestyle Jam Series.
Thanks to Jools Smith for the footage
Tunes used under creative commons licence
The Priscilla’s- Timing

It’s also been great to give my 156 Plastictastic a really good test and I’ve been really impressed with how it performs. It’s been great on the kickers,which at 12-14m tables have been much bigger than I’ve been hitting indoors on my 150 but it’s also felt great in the pipe (much better than I’ve been feeling in it, that’s for sure!) and it’s been cutting through the slush and choppy snow as well.  So it’s certainly turned out to be my perfect all-mountain park board.

Tomorrow is the first day of competition, and so I’m hoping the super speedy base helps me get to the front of the pack in the boarder-cross, or at the very least lets me olly over anyone that falls in front of me.