Um, this guy already knows. Photo: Mads Schmidt
Did you know that Tom Cruise is not allowed to snowboard? The Mission Impossible star known for jumping off of buildings is not allowed to shred, as per his insurance policy. In an interview with Jimmy Kimmel, Tom Cruise reveals “I can jump off a cliff, but don’t go snowboarding.” Although Cruise can’t cruise, he does provide his audience with a huge snowboarding tip in one of his films.
Regular vs. Goofy Snowboarding Stance
With the recent cold front in the West, which got us all a little amped for winter, it also got me to thinking: one of the most common mistakes I see beginner snowboarders struggle with is confusion over whether or not they should have a goofy or regular-footed stance. For those who do not know the difference: a regular-footed stance means leading with the left foot whereas a goofy-footed rider leads with the right foot. This of course applies not just to snowboarding, but to all of the key boardsports like skating and surfing.
This is so important because a beginner snowboarder can unknowingly go out leading with the wrong foot, which breeds frustration and confusion for the rider. I’ve witnessed people who have snowboarded multiple years without making progress, come to find out they were leading with the wrong foot the whole time. One sign of this is someone who can’t seem to keep their nose facing downhill and are instead scraping along going back and forth between regular and switch riding. They are not confident or committed to their line.
Luckily, there’s a very easy solution that you can do at home BEFORE you gear up for your first day on the mountain. This simple step can save you some time, money, and a whole lot of heartache. Not only that, but it’ll help you establish your footing on a skateboard, a surfboard, or any other board for that matter.
Risky Business has to be my favorite Tom Cruise movies, especially that classic scene of him effortlessly sliding into frame with rizz to spare. Though this film has absolutely nothing to do with snowboarding, I can tell you how Tom Cruise would snowboard just from watching this scene.
The answer is in the slide…
The Risky Business star claims snowboarding is too risky for business.
The best way to find out if you are a regular or goofy-footed snowboarder is to slide like Tom Cruise. Go home, put on some socks, and slide on a slick floor a few times. Don’t think about it, just do what comes naturally. Which foot goes in front? If your left foot wants to lead, you are a regular-footed snowboarder. If your right foot naturally leads, you have a goofy-footed stance.
Go back and watch Tom Cruise’s feet when he slides. As you can see, his right foot is leading as he goes into frame. Once you see how his feet move, you can imagine he would ride a snowboard the same way.
Avoid These Beginner Snowboarder Pitfalls
I’ve heard of some people pushing the other person to see which foot leads, but I don’t think this is a full-proof method. The reason I say that is if someone pushes you on the right side for example, your body’s natural response might be to put the right foot down even if you have a regular-footed stance. Others say to go out and try both goofy and regular stances, but that just leads to more confusion.
Confidence and Commitment
How can you be confident in how you ride if you’re not committed to how you slide? Finding out this simple detail early is key to enjoying your first few days on the mountain. Just remember, the best thing to do the night before learning to snowboard is to put on some socks, watch Risky Business (obviously), and do your best Tom Cruise impression on the living room floor (preferably hardwood).
