'Sending it' this season!

Starting snowboarding as an adult has meant that the part of my brain that thinks about the consequences sometimes inhibits me from stepping outside of my comfort zone, but my goal for this season was to push myself with my riding to overcome fears that have held me back in the past.

The solution seems obvious in order to move forward and progress, you need to constantly put yourself out there and be prepared to take a fall (or two) until you've got it dialed. But what do you do if fear or your sense of self-preservation rules supreme?

There comes a point in any sport where you reach a plateau and it easy to stay there, because it familiar and safe but this is where you stagnate and a little voice inside you tells you that you need to step it up if you want to progress and take your riding to the next level.

I stoked to say that in since arriving at Whitewater this year, I listened to that little voice inside of my head and have been stoked at the little victories I had so far.

I spoken with some other chicks who have been in the same boat as me, so here are a few things that have helped me gain greater confidence, skill and stoke with my riding that I thought I share with you. (Note* these are my humble sentiments aside from the obvious suggestion of taking a private lesson with one of the awesome Whitewater instructors!)

Positive programing: I know this one may seem banal, but never underestimate the power of positive thinking! If you tell yourself you CAN do it, then you will. Visualize your trick or run and make it happen by committing to it 100%.

Set goals: keep challenging yourself by setting daily or weekly objectives to achieve. It might be getting some more air time, confidently taking harder lines or hitting some pillows. By setting yourself goals, it gives you something to focus on and use as an indication of whether you're pushing yourself to where you want to go. BUT!! Know your limits: By pushing yourself, I don't mean dropping off a 10 foot ledge if it clearly beyond your skill set, you need to be able to recognize what you are capable of and when it'ssafe to push yourself!

Ride with a posse: having the moral support you get from riding with a bunch of peeps does wonders for your progression. You'll feel amped as you push each other along and you share the stoke of doing runs together, while giving encouragement and advice.

Ride with mates who shred: Seeing friends with a bunch of steeze and tricks up their sleeves is always an added motivational nudge for you to send it!

Have a killer playlist: music can totally set your mood, so get a playlist of tunes that make you feel good and give you a sense of calm or get you psyched. Either way, a little bit of music that helps get your flow and mojo happening is always welcome.

Although I think fear plays a vital role in our lives (we'll live with reckless abandon if we knew no notion of fear) I think it's important to acknowledge what's holding you back and aim to conquer that which stops you from progressing. Nothing beats the sense of achievement and stoke you feel when commit to something and nail it!

Keep shredding,

Teash

Photo by Gary Parker