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| Q&A: Slalom Pro Mike Maysey (2489 Posts)
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Cutaways/Fullnoses
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On 1/21/2003
Wesley Tucker
wrote in from
(205.188.nnn.nnn)
What's funny is how this "full cutaway/full nose-rear cutaway" thing has evolved into a "tight slalom/giant slalom" thing.
When Bobby first started developing his designs in the mid '70s, he built two boards: a full cutaway (needlenose,) for Bobby Piercy and his parallel stance, and a full nose-rear cutaway for Tommy Ryan's surf stance. When it came to tight/giant slalom specs, the Turner guys were more interested in FLEX than cutaway (medium to hard for tight, medium to soft for giant.) Although this might be open to dispute, I'm just relaying what Bobby would tell me when I would quiz him endlessly by long distance about what my next board should be. His advice was always pretty much the same, "Wes, if you're gonna stick with that parallel riding style, I'd suggest getting a cutaway with either a harder or softer flex. I just don't know if that full nose is going to do the job for you." That of course reflects what kind of guy Bobby was: the full nose cost more, but he was seriously interested in me having what worked for me, not what made him the most money. One heck of a guy.
Not really relevant, but just a little history drummed up by Rick's question.
Oh, I'll make this relevant with a question for Mr. Maysey: Mike, when did attitudes and outlooks on different board shapes begin to change from what i knew 25 years ago to what is prevalant today?
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Cutouts?
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On 1/21/2003
Mike Maysey
wrote in from
(66.236.nnn.nnn)
thanks Arab, for straightening me out on that!!
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Cutaways
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On 1/21/2003
Arab
wrote in from
(24.24.nnn.nnn)
Mike-Your boards dont have cutouts, they have cutaways.
Arab
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Deck Shapes
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On 1/21/2003
Mike Maysey
wrote in from
(66.236.nnn.nnn)
66,
All of the boards I ride have cutouts in the tail. Some are small and others are large. I honestly can't tell you if I'm missing something myself or not. If this is any indication; Ransom, Chicken, Cross and Paul Price all ride boards that are straight (without cutouts) from nose to tail. I was up at Ransom's house over the weekend and was checking on the board he won the World GS Title on and it's pretty damn straight from nost to tail.
I agree with you, that the cutouts are nice because your foot sort of finds them and is able to push off the edge as well as the deck but maybe there's something to the straight rail board that both of us are missing.
Anyone out there who also has an opinion on this subject feel free to chime in...
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deck shapes
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On 1/21/2003
66
wrote in from
(65.83.nnn.nnn)
i'll preface this by stating that the majority of my slalom skating is on gentle slopes, and the courses probably would characterized as tight to hybrid
for the past couple of years, i've been using the comet "race wide" almost exclusively, recently adding a new version of the gary cross comet in a move towards steeper, faster, hybrid or giant, courses
the new generation of slalom decks generally lack cutouts, and retain their width from nose to tail
i find that i prefer having a deck that narrows towards the rear truck, i like being able to "feel" the edge of the deck on toeside turns
being relatively isolated from the slalom community (real world, not cyber), am i missing something about the benefits of having a deck that maintains it's width from nose to tail?
great forum, look forward to your reply
66
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meetup last weekend
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On 1/21/2003 Downhill Chick
wrote in from
(207.114.nnn.nnn)
Mike, I missed you this weekend. I waited for an hour and you never showed up. I feel dissed...
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randals for slalom
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On 1/20/2003
rickabilly
wrote in from
(198.81.nnn.nnn)
I ran some cones with gary fluit and the colorado crew and found that randals dont work at all for anythin tight, so as everyone advised im gettin some indy 101's
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Crow Hop
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On 1/20/2003
Mike Maysey
wrote in from
(66.236.nnn.nnn)
Wes,
I remember he posted a link of himself actually doing it...I'll contact him and see if the link still exists.
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CC CH pics
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On 1/20/2003
Wesley Tucker
wrote in from
(64.12.nnn.nnn)
Mike,
If you're referring to those "stick figure" diagrams Chris posted last fall, I remember them, but have no clue as to the link.
I guess CC would be the best source for that.
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CrowHop
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On 1/20/2003
Mike Maysey
wrote in from
(66.236.nnn.nnn)
Hey Wes,
Thanks for that explaination. If you know the link to the example of a Crow Hop that Chaput put up a while back perhaps you can post it here. I can't remember it. Maybe someone can invite Chaput to post the link here so we can all see the Crow Hop in action.
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Crow Hop Starts
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On 1/20/2003
Wesley Tucker
wrote in from
(152.163.nnn.nnn)
Mike,
If I may, the "Crow Hop" is nothing more than a timed start that "lunges" the racer across the starting line just as the starter says, "Go!" or the fourth beep sounds or whatever you use to start a race.
The first real pro I ever heard describe it was Henry Hester in a SKATEBOARDER tip from 1976. In essence, a starter says, "on your mark - - - Get set - - GO!" Between "Get Set!" and "Go!", you kick your board back, and bring it forward timed so that your front wheel hits the start line just as the starter says "go!" This not only has you already moving at the time of the start, but if you're quick and able, you'll be half way to the first cone before the other guy is out of the box!
I would also assume the same philosophy works on a start ramp: between the third and fourth beep that signals the gate opening, the skater would kick back, crouch or whatever in an effort to "lunge" the gate and have everything come together at the same time. But whether it's a push start or a gate start, the "crow hop" is more or less a technique to be moving before "go!"
We aren't track runners or swimmers. Standing there like statues waiting for the go signal ain't in our make up. The idea is to anticipate, time your start accurately and already be going before anyone says go.
Now, of course, that leads to the distinct possibility of false starts. How do we avoid this.
Simple: practice until your legs fall off!
Oh, and one other thing: if you get a starter with a push start race who decides to be cute and "mix it up a little" by disregarding any sort of consistent, rhythmic cadence, you have my blessing to bludgeon the silly bastard til he dies a mangled, horrible death in the street!
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Assymetrical Legs
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On 1/20/2003
Mike Maysey
wrote in from
(66.236.nnn.nnn)
I don't think that's a bad thing...I be your arms are assymetrical too. I wouldn't worry about it.
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Suppliments
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On 1/20/2003
Mike Maysey
wrote in from
(66.236.nnn.nnn)
Brady-
I'm no doctor or pharmacist (sp), I don't know what you should take.
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Johnny X
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On 1/20/2003
Mike Maysey
wrote in from
(66.236.nnn.nnn)
Ask a skateboard related question
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Blue Suede Shoes
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On 1/20/2003
Mike Maysey
wrote in from
(66.236.nnn.nnn)
Michael-
I prefer shoes that don't have the little air cushion under the heel for slalom. The thinner the sole the better.
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pushing mongo
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On 1/20/2003
Mike Maysey
wrote in from
(66.236.nnn.nnn)
Burns-
Try Chris Chaput's technique...I think he calls it "The Crow Hop" or something. It doesn't matter if you push mongo or whatever the other way is called.
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Randals for slalom
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On 1/20/2003
Mike Maysey
wrote in from
(66.236.nnn.nnn)
Rickabilly-I wouldn't use Randals for slalom. I had them on my first slalom board for about 2 weeks before trading them for Indy 101's. Now I ride nothing but Tracker...
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Tahoe Snowboarding...
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On 1/20/2003
Mike Maysey
wrote in from
(66.236.nnn.nnn)
I didn't dessert you guys...sorry, I forgot to tell you I was heading to Tahoe for the weekend to do some snowboarding with Charlie. I'll answer these questions when I get a chance...but for now I need to get caught up on work...I'll get on it tonite and answer as much as I can. Late...
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Contact
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On 1/20/2003
Cliff Coleman
wrote in from
(209.179.nnn.nnn)
Mike,
Can you please e-mail me your phone number? I want to talk to you before you leave for the BLR/Death Box contest.
Cliff "sk8fast@thegrid.net"
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using the rails
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On 1/19/2003
CKnuck
wrote in from
(66.185.nnn.nnn)
A couple of pages back someone was talking about Mike's prescribed foot position (front foot on inner hardware - rear foot heal on inner hardware). I have also made this adjustement from time to time and find you can make use of the rails adequately from this position.
It's finding that SWEET SPOT that works best for you. most of the top riders styles and stances varies somewhat. Try working working within the advice given and go out and experiment.
A stiff board and tight trucks just don't work for Slalom. I really liked Stroble's deck on the 2 runs I took at Cambria. I also love my Roe. I used to be a Turner board rider, they are all a bit different while being the same.
Diferent courses will require different set-ups, equipment and wheels adjustments. Sometimes comfort is not faster. I found that out in '86. You've got to time your runs (consistently) with dofferent set-ups to see what truly performs best for you in given circumstances.
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Assymetrical Legs...
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On 1/19/2003
Miko
wrote in from
(64.168.nnn.nnn)
Funny you should mention leg differential. I developed a bit of pain in my right (rear) heel right around the Worlds, and finally have an appointment with a podiatrist to find out if I have a heel spur, fallen arch or stress fracture.
An interesting note about my experience at the Worlds. I had been riding like never before a couple weeks before the race, and took note that I may have been 'peaking' a bit early. Sure enough, I was a bit burned out the weekend of the worlds, and in my efforts to make up for that I managed to strain my abdomen, psoas, back, and seem to have caused the heel injury as well... all this with NO falls. Very strange...
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While the cat's away...
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On 1/19/2003
Miko
wrote in from
(64.168.nnn.nnn)
So when Mike's away for the weekend do we all just talk amongst ourselves?
Anyway... A guy with a mohawk and scabs all over his body walks into this bar with a frog on his head...
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Asymmetrical legs
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On 1/19/2003
Stevie
wrote in from
(67.120.nnn.nnn)
I'm feeling like Long John Silver these days, with all of the pumping my back leg is doing (left leg - I'm goofy). Is that necessarily a bad thing? I'll be working both legs in various ways to try to improve my pumping/slalom ability, but what if somebody had a chicken leg in front and a back leg that looked like Popeye's arm? I mean, for surf stance at least. Thoughts?
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johnny's question
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On 1/19/2003
Michael
wrote in from
(195.92.nnn.nnn)
Sorry to have to do this guys, but Arab has accused ME of being 'Johnnyx' on the Bulletin board.
This is NOT the case.
I just want to make that abundantly clear to all my friends that use NCDSA.
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jonnyx`s question
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On 1/19/2003
Brady
wrote in from
(66.21.nnn.nnn)
jonnyx, your question WAS a political one. I saw no skate relativity to it. I am not trying to call you out but to say "no politics, just an opinion would be fine
thought this was a q+a" is hypocritical. Please see my post on the Bulletin Board...
Sorry Mike,
But to keep this tips related (Q&A), I was wondering what supplements you recommend? Currently I`m taking Gluccosamine Chondroitin (2-3x strength a day)...
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