 |  | | Last Updated: Tuesday, 13 December 2005, 17:51 GMT |
| GB snowboarding coach Craig Smith has some safety tips for you to follow before you enter our competition.
Wear a crash helmet at all times. Tricks will not be judged unless the rider is wearing a helmet Don't try any trick before you are a competent rider on the slopes Build up slowly. Get one trick well executed before moving onto the next. Follow the progression of our beginner's tricks  GB snowboarder Dom Harington wears a helmet at all times |
A jump doesn't make the trick. Good, clean jumps off a small jump can be better than a poor one off a big jump Check landings before you jump. Take a trip through the park and ride over the jumps you are going to try to see if they are safe The take-off is important for a safe jump and you should do this from the centre of a jump Judge what speed you need for a safe landing. You want to land on the down slope rather than the flat part of the jump Try landing on your tail to begin with as this will absorb a lot of the energy of the impact Grabs will help you keep good balance throughout a trick The best place to try jumps is in the park as this is a controlled area. If you try tricks on the piste you might hit other skiers or snowboarders  Grabbing the board helps you keep stable in the air |
Consider wearing a back protector or a tortoise shell. This will help avoid back injury. Padded crash pants are a good idea too Attempt tricks in good visibility so you can spot your take-offs and landings. Don't try tricks when it's a whiteout When waiting to jump, wait your turn and don't push in. Look back up the slope before you start your run in to the jump Always ride within your means
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