Snowboarding Not Just a Bad Boy’s Sport

by Bill Costas

You might have seen the Nagano Olympics snowboarding competitions and have an interest in the sport. Its popularity has grown by leaps and bounds since then and in spite of the fact that snowboarding great, Terje Haakonsen, turned his “ethical” nose up at the Olympics. He said that he felt that the judging was questionable and the “team” look was too rigid. Snowboarding inclusion in the Nagano Olympics has served to clean up a well-deserved snowboard up-yours reputation. Either way, snowboarding is here to stay. If you are a first timer and want to learn how to snowboard read on.

Firstly, read. Get all the information your can about safety. Snowboarding especially snowboard tricks leads in outdoor sporting injuries. This statistic is heavily debated but no matter, everyone agrees that the sport is hard on the body. You should also consider your own fitness level and whether or not you feel your body can take the abuse. Approach the sport with an eye for safety and you can minimize injuries. Look into a certified snowboarding instructor. It is well worth the money to capitalize on a certified instructor’s knowledge of the sport and his or her experience.

Then there is the equipment. Snowboards can easily cost more than a $400 to $500 for a good quality board. You also want to invest in the best padding possible. In the beginning when you are on a stiff budget, as we all are, spend more on padding and a better than good helmet. You?ll need them. Also a large discount bottle of ibuprofen or pain reliever of choice. If you cannot extrapolate what that is for then you should not even consider this as you sport du jour.

Consider your weather — that is weather in your hometown or near to you. If you live in Jamaica it might be difficult to get much snowboarding practice in. And yes, I have heard of the Jamaican Bobsled Team. But be realistic! If you don?t live somewhere that you can snowboard then maybe you can sand snowboard. Either way, you will have to devote it takes to practice and practice a lot. Travel time just cuts in on the slope time.

Freeride, freestyle and freecarve are three methods that are offered in snowboarding. Make a decision on which you want to start out with and stay with it until you are good then go onto the others.

Your buddies can video tape your snowboarding antics. They are sure to be very funny while you are learning and taking snowboard lessons. You could up load them to myspace or youtube for fun. Your family will get a kick out of them as well. Your parents can see the blackhole their money is going into.

Consider going to a snowboard camp for snowboard lessons. Many are offered in ?Future Snowboarding? magazine and are promoted all over the country and in other sports mags. You can learn a lot from a variety of instructors as well as other participants.

Gearup and hit the slopes. Hope to see you careening by. Be a snowboarding maniac. The sport is here to stay.

About the Author:

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