Define FREERIDE

[Frosty]

Just my input...freeriding is not simply tricks with the aid of waves, the "surfing" is a huge part of it. And the tricks that are done is a totally different aspect of it.

There are freeriders that I ride with and have a lot of respect for who don't even do nose stabs...they are there to "surf" and that is exactly what they do. And there are a larger percentage of guys that will do a few stabs, etc. but are primarilary out there doing surf moves. IE) cutbacks, snaps, floaters, reentries, the occasional barrel, etc.

To me that is a good portion of what freeriding is about, and that is why it is not freestyle with waves thrown in as ramps. You can ride in the surf with that mentality, but IMO if you do that you are missing the point almost completly.

All this being said...I dont give a poop what you call freeride I think the freeride tour is great for the sport and you guys w/ out surf can call what you are doing what ever you want...but if flat water stuff begins to be considered freeride, then there should be another name for what is done in the surf...

For me Freeride = Surf

But I still don't know what you should call flat water stuff...possibly freestyle? Just a thought...

I think Ross nailed it actually. I have always thought the following:

Freeride = surf
Freestyle = doing tricks on flatwater
everything else is just "riding"

That said, we get flat water, chop and waves occasionally on the Great Lakes. We're lucky enough to have a variety of conditions to ride in. Some days (most days) we are riding in chop, less than 2 foot waves and just playing. Somes days we get nice 6-10 foot waves and we can freeride... so we really have no set thing... we just ride in what ever we have... and that's the way I like it... I hate that we all have to be categorized. We're not freeriders, we're not freestylers... we just ride whatever there is. :smile:

 

[Ghostwriter]

Rick Roy names Freeriding

The Term Freeriding has been picked up as a cool moniker by a dozen different sports.
Was it Watkins that Started it or Ripper @ Pipe? Where does Randy Laine fit in?
These guys took Riding 440/550s to the surf and Created the Surf movement that has become what many call FREERIDE in our sport Today.
Do guys like Cullen and Malone differ as riders and what they enjoy to do?
To me they do not differ really at all. Both are Freeriders. (although Eric is a freestyler too)
Some of us are lucky to have the Ocean near by.......
..........YES.....Freeridings roots are in the Surfmovement but its not Just surf to me.
Its more a state of mind that goes with riding. I like to think that my brother riders in the middle of the land are dreaming about the things I do when I ride.
Ross really articulates the thinking most of us ocean riders have...however.................to me.
Freeriding has alot to do with passion......I will not take that away from any standup rider because hes so unfortunate to be land locked.
Do you know Who Coined "freeride"in our sport?
Rick Roy...4 time World champion FREESTYLER.
It comes from surf....its mostly about surf...but not limited to it!

But .....There is no question that Flatwater is Just that....Flatwater!

 

[Ross_C]

Good perspective and insight in both of those posts...

 

[jmeadlock]

Yeah Ross, that pic is the shiznit.

But as far as jumping cruiser wakes at Lanier, Not freeriding, IMO. wakes are not waves, i don't care how big they are. Waves have some very special characteristics

Well wakes can be wacky too; did my 1st invert (accidentally) off one in the pass the other day....

I don't care how freeride is defined; just agree on something

I like turning my 650 on glass, and like surf... it's all fun!!