“Snowboarding – An Invigorating and Adventurous Thrill Ride!”
The defining winter sport for many adventurers, snowboarding is an exhilarating activity that allows participants to cruise down a snowy mountain and explore the limits of their adrenaline and skill. As with any sport, snowboarding comes with its own set of techniques, tricks and stunts that require dedication, practice and courage to master. With its wide-spread popularity, the sport has come far since its humble beginnings and has arisen as the go-to wintertime activity. To explore the wonders of snowboarding, let’s go back to the beginning, delve into its current state and discover the thrills of this exciting ride.
It all began in the 1950s when a young surfer named Sherman Poppen brought the idea of snowboarding to the slopes. Taking two skis, he affixed them together and gave his kids an early invention of what would later become the modern-day snowboard. After tinkering with it over the next few years, the snowboard finally took shape in 1977 when the first snowboarders started heading down the slopes of Oregon’s Burlington Hill – now known as the birthplace of the sport.
These early snowboarders primarily used homemade equipment, which limited the amount of tricks they could do. With their crude gear, they mostly descended the slope with their feet on the snowboard, similar to the way surfers ride waves. Soon after, the Burton boards arrived and changed the sport for good. The Burton boards featured angled edges that enabled snowboarders to make sharp turns and perform tricks on the slopes. This propelled the sport and drove more and more people to give it a try.
The 80s, however, was when snowboarding truly took off. It was in this decade when the first snowboard parks opened and paved the way for the sport’s development. In 1985, the first snowpark opened in Soda Springs, California and was home to numerous enthusiasts. It featured an array of jumps and ramps that enabled the snowboarders to practice their technique and cultivate the sport’s culture.
The event that truly kick-started snowboarding was the 1988 International Freestyle Snowboard Association (IFSA) world championships that took place at Soda Springs. From here, the sport gained worldwide attention and began making its way into the limelight. To further its popularization, the sport was included in the Nagano Olympics in 1998. It was here where snowboarders shined and the sport was decidedly ushered into the mainstream culture.
Nowadays, the sport has become a mainstay in the winter sport community and has even been recognized as an X-Games sport. With its rise in popularity, the sport has come a long way with its gear and diversity of offerings. While some may still be stuck on the retro gear of the past, modern-day snowboarders have become more savvy, selecting state-of-the-art gear that allows for more creativity on the slopes. Now you can find snowboarders not just tackling the mountainside, but visiting the local snowboard park for some freestyle fun.
For those of you wanting to try out snowboarding here’s what you should know:
The first rule of any winter sport is safety. Start by equipping yourself with the right gear. A good snowboard, boots, and helmet are the bare essentials. You should also look into gear like wrist guards, padding and a face mask, as these items could mean the difference between an enjoyable ride or an intense crash. You will also want to select the right board for you. Determine the right board based on your height, size and weight.
Next, determine a few techniques that you should learn. Beginners should start off with the basics like how to stay standing on the board and how to stop. As you progress through the sport and become more accustomed to the snowboard, you can start to explore more specialized techniques like jumping and carving.
Another key aspect of the sport is learning the etiquette. Knowing the rules of the slopes such as yielding to faster riders and not stopping in the middle of the trail will help you stay out of trouble with other riders on the mountain. Till this day, snowboarders remain a close-knit community and respect for your fellow rider is the key for a good time on the mountain.
Ultimately, snowboarding is a thrilling winter activity that requires dedication, patience, and commitment to become a proficient snowboarder. There is no “right” way to do it, but rather a method that fits your interests. Whether it be carving up powder fields, mastering freestyle jumps, or backcountry shredding; snowboarding is an experience like none other and you should make the most of it. So come explore the snow and experience the adrenaline-charged ride of a lifetime – you will be hooked in no time.
“Snowboarding – An Invigorating and Adventurous Thrill Ride!”