Learning Flips, Trick Ski set up

[mwfillmore]

I picked up a reflex binding system for a pretty good deal for my slalom, and was thinking about moving over to a hardshell for trick. I've never tricked with a hardshell...

 

What are opinions on learning flips? Try and learn the flips, then switch over? Or switch over and bite the bullet. Is a releasable binding advantageous during the learning process?

 

I'm a 1120 tricker on a single pass.

 

 

on a side note... I've got an old beat up KD trick that's 43". Wiley binding on it. If anyone is moving up to the D3 Aira, i'd be happy to pick up a newer used 43" trick ski.

[Bruce_Butterfield]

1). Definitely go to the hard shell as soon as you can.

 

2) you will gain more points faster if you work on W5s and line tricks before spending a lot of time attempting flips. That will get you more comfortable on the ski and learn edging and balance which will make the flips easier to learn.

 

3) I'm guessing you are in college, but you should still learn the basic toe tricks.

 

My $0.02

[mwfillmore]

Not in college... just haven't had a boat with speed control till now. Hoping to get back into the trick game. Issue with toe tricks is trusting a pinner... None of my ski partners trick.

[eleeski]

If flips are your focus then the Wileys are a good choice. You will fall hard and often learning flips. This will beat up your Reflex boot. Also the releases allow the ski to slice your shin (lots of people wear soccer shin guards when learning flips). Wileys are safer and cheaper for flips.

 

With that said, @Bruce_Butterfield is spot on. Switch to the hardshell. Your skiing will improve. Note that you might need a different shell for tricks than slalom. I like a reasonably stiff shell for tricks and as soft as I can find for slalom.

 

Definitely try to get a newer ski as well.

 

Eric

[JWebSki]

I personally prefer a hardshell for tricks. I had been attempting flips for about a year with no success with a radar strada front boot and then I decided to buy a FM hardshell. The very first day I tried the hardshell I landed a flip for the first time. I think the hardshell just allowed me to hold the edge much more, than my softer boot previously, when cutting into the wake

[Jody_Seal]

Many and most of the up scoring trickers have two ski's when they come to the dock a hand ski and a toe ski. most of the toe skis are reflex hard shell and most of the hand skis have Willey's. There is a lot of awkward pressure on the hard shell releases when landing flips especially the rotational flips. I know Mr. Stephen use's double stuff trick/jump binders on his hand ski. don't think he would ever consider hard shell on a flip oriented run.

[unksskis]

Learn the flips, then decide.

[dbojan]

How does the Fluid Motion binding compare to the Reflex binding for tricking?

[mwfillmore]

Thanks guys. Haven't been around any trickers or tournaments for a good 8 years. Looking forward to getting back into it

[lcgordon]

I like my fluid motion set up. Its old and I got it used but it still works fine. From my experience and the people I ski with is that the main thing is comfort. Wileys your foot goes numb in the first 5min. I wanted to feel my foot again so I bit the bullet. But if your foot is comfortable in your boot the wileys is awesome and feels so good for control when skiing.