Confidence in the park *help*

If you are going to think about something for to long you will most likely scare yourself away from it. JUST GO FOR IT

If you are scared of concussions maybe curling or badminton is a better choice however, ask yourself "is it worth it?" and your answer will be clear

Man you got some meh replies.

Fuck it.

The best thing you can do is start small. Rock out the tricks you are comfortable with. Use your stock tricks to work your way back up in feature size. If you want to try some of your harder tricks, try them on smaller features then work up. If you have a smaller park(smaller than whatever you usually hit) rock out some hot laps through there.

Even though the features are smaller and lower to the ground you can get into a nice flow and everything just feels good. Smoke some fat turns on the groomers when the conditions are right. Ripping some nice turns cruising fast always feels good and gets you confident.

Just have fun. Throw some butters or 1's switch 1's on rollers, jump some smaller cliffs, stall rocks, jump signs, anything you're comfortable with that feels like fooling around.

You likely still have the skills, it's just getting yourself in the right mental zone. If you rock out music that's a good way to get in the zone(I can't rage tunes anymore after my head injuries but it always used to work for me)

Seriously just have fun. Don't think so much about getting to a certain level, and just go shred. I had my best season in a while this summer. The riding level wasn't that epic but we had some fun setups. I felt comfortable doing whatever I wanted to. Just kind of rode for me. If I was feeling it I'd send it, a lot of days I didn't. Really felt comfortable on my board, and even after a couple bad slams I still felt pretty good out there.

Also ride at whatever ability level you want. Some runs, some days, some seasons you just don't feel like pushing it past a certain level. I've gotten a lot better at keeping things reasonable. I still threw some flips, and some decent jib tricks, but I never spun over a 5 all season. I was having a great time styling around the smaller tricks and just shredding.

Don't think about it too much, just go for it. Don't feel like "I need to throw a 9 by the end of december or I'm a failure" Just go out with friends and mess around. Even if you're literally just sliding most of the features with maybe the occasional 2 out. Maybe your biggest spin for a while is a 3. Whatever you're feeling. Just get out there, be safe but have some fun. That's what skiing is all about.

It's easy to get wrapped up in the level thing. I know how you feel. When you put yourself out, you want to get back to that spot where you were, but if you over think it too much, or aren't having fun you're doing it wrong. Just get your flow on, fucking smoke some fat turns, crush them mini features, butter the fuck out of some rollers, hot lap with friends, and have a not a good time but the BEST time!

Hope your head is all good! Be safe and have fun man!

Fuckin' send it son

DeSeanFuckin' send it son

Words of wisdom

Find a small trick you're comfortable with and build off it. I start every day out with a back 2 to get going. Landing tricks always builds confidence.

If you really wanna progress and not just casually ride park, you gotta sack up. Sounds cliche but park riders who progress the fastest are also the ballsiest. Go into a new trick knowing it's gonna be cash. Dont think about crashing.

Just flow through, starting with tricks you don't really have to think about. Even hops, wheelies and 180s on flat are good prep and help you find balance. Remember to keep a wide stance with bent knees. Your stance will affect your state of mind. also take some deep breaths prior to drop-in and maintain steady breathing thru your run.

When I am trying something new I literally just tune everything out and go for it. Don't think about it. If you think about a trick for hours and hours your not going to get anywhere.

Do not think, and just realize you probably will get hurt again but so worth it if you wanna improve ya skillz

CruxHey NS, a few years back I got a bad concussion from a ski accident. I have never regained my confidence to try the park again however this year I feel I should try. I always overthink it and end up psyching myself out. What's the best way to stop psyching myself out and being able to ski the park like I once was able to.

Borty had a pretty good response to all of this.

I'll shorten up my opinion though - Start from the bottom again but try to do everything absolutely oozing style out of every orifice. Work the super simple tricks but try to do 'em like B&E.

Work your way back to the big stuff like this, not only will you earn your confidence back you'll also have integrated a shitload of style into your game!

Here are some words from the wisdom of time.

1. Switch it up everywhere you can. Try to learn how to turn better, ski switch down an entire mountain or make a jump line outside the park. Change your style when the park isnt feeling right. I would take time off when the park got too scarry.

2. Ride with friends or other park riders. Often times, you can feed off their energy and make you wanna try something new, or try something you can do...but better.

3. Visualize your tricks before you send. When you have it in your mind and you can see yourself in 1st POV and try to anticipate the G-forces in the air or rail. Once the feeling is locked in with success, the stress levels taper off quite a bit.

4. take precautions to protect your head. Wear a good helmet, warm up and stretch. Keep your head up when you crash and dont give up. If you strike...you strike, chances are you wont land on your head.

Have fun!

1. If you don't have a good helmet invest in one, I was skiing in a bern hard hat when I got my concussion and my first investment after was a smith maze aka a way more protective and certified helmet
2. Listen to some music get with some friends and just go for stuffs if you over think it you will screw yourself, its always just getting over the initial fear, sure you'll fall again but the only way to progress is to get back up and keep trying