Carving Evangelist!Atsushi Taniguchi, who leads the West Snowboard School

QXNUMX: Thank you for your hard work this season.Mr. Taniguchi, if there is an event that remains in your memory, please tell us. (I.e.: This season has been a very uneasy start to the season with a head and shoulder injury and surgery.So it was a season where I skated very carefully.Among them, there are some things that left a strong impression on me.At the competition called REAL THE 17 held in Sugadaira, a dual curve competition was held.What I was able to do with the remaining friends in the finals.Then, in April, I participated in the SBM held in Nozawa Onsen, where I was able to see a high level of snowboarding, and I was awarded the Best Curve Award at that competition.This season, I can see various genres of skiing, and I still want to improve my snowboarding skills!I thought! QXNUMX: Did you have surgery for your injury? ?That was tough, huh.After that, I'm glad to hear that you had a wonderful season.In a competition that competes in curve technology, how do you compete specifically?Do you have any points to judge? Taniguchi: Competitions that compete for carving skills are in the genre of technical, and are called tech selection or technique selection.The orthodox content is a competition in which multiple events are skied on a set slope, and the judges score below.For example, events like middle turn, short turn, and free run.This competition is relatively easy to participate in, with participants ranging from preschoolers to 70-year-olds.By the way, the REAL that I competed in is a slightly special and exciting competition where you skate in the preliminaries for the decided events, and there is a final tournament for the top finishers, and the judges raise the flag as to which one was better in the dual skates.In a competition like this, you need a skate that appeals to the judges, and speed is an absolute must.While sliding at high speed, the point is to run the board with smooth transitions and sharpness.After that, tricks that enter during turns at high speed will also lead to evaluation. QXNUMX: When you think of competitions, you might think that the threshold is a little high, but if it's easy to participate and there's a wide range of age groups, you can participate in a festive mood, don't you think?in last year's interviewI asked Mr. Taniguchi, "west snowboard schoolDo you have lessons for such competitions? Taniguchi: We are holding a lesson camp before the competition to prepare for the tech selection.In addition, we regularly hold lessons for badge tests, tech tests, and intranet practical skills tests, so you can take lessons that match your level.Recently, private lessons are popular, and you can take lessons according to your wishes.And you can also specify your favorite intranet. Q4: You can also nominate! !If it's private, it's good because you can always tell me what you need to improve.Who can take the technical certification test? Taniguchi: This test is for people who want to know their current abilities in carving and snowboarding basic skills, and people who want to work as JSBA instructors and JSBA patrols.In particular, the first step to becoming an instructor is to acquire JSBA Level 1. Q5: Mr. Taniguchi, you are still aiming to improve yourself, but what kind of practice are you doing? Taniguchi: Rather than skating a lot, I skate in a short period of time with a clear focus.One thing is free running in the mountains, regardless of form, carving, or content.Another basic practice for the event, such as side slip and position confirmation, is another practice at low speed.In addition to this, it is my practice to do with my students what I think of as part of my usual Club West activities.Of course, at the club, the focus is on discovering weak points and improving skills that suit each individual, but in addition to that, I think that by having students practice for skating, I can expect various growth of the students themselves. I am thinking.The best time to practice is in an environment where you can grow with your students. Q6: It's a wonderful environment to be able to grow together with the students.While communicating with experienced coaches, the students themselves can feel the growth together.attractiveSchool, isn't it?Lastly, please tell us if you have any goals for the next season for yourself and for the school, Mr. Taniguchi. Taniguchi: My personal goals are to be certified as a demonstrator and to further improve and explore carving techniques.As a West snowboard school, many customers' "I was able to do it! ] I want to snowboard again with a smile!I want to come to the slopes again!I'm going to build a school that I can think of! Photo by SAM