Sunday, December 14, 2008

snowboarding history and tips

Snowboarding is a newer sport that offers pure enjoyment to its riders. A beginner might be frequently frustrated, but once the basics are learned, snowboarding is a sport that can be enjoyably ridden at any level. It has evolved greatly over its short existence to levels that will remain only a dream to some. Since skiing preceded snowboarding, there are always going to be some social differences, whether serious or joking, over the affect one has on the other.
Snowboarding History
Snowboarding originated, believe it or not, in the 1920s when a man cut a piece of plywood and slid down a hill on it, using horse reins to control the board. The major developments came in the 1960s with "snurfing." Snurfing was invented by a man in Michigan who screwed two skis together for his daughter as a Christmas present. Later in the 1960s and 70s, snowboarding began as an industry and the sport took off. Ideas developed from skateboarding and even sliding down a hill on a cafeteria tray!
In the 1970s, snowboarding changed hugely. From the 1980s through to modern day, snowboarding progressed to become a multi billion dollar technology industry. Ski resorts all over the country and the world have adapted to this sport, with a few struggles along the way. It seems that skiers and snowboarders don't always see eye to eye and conflicts resulted where skiers believing snowboarders were hogging the slopes. Prejudice saw snowboarders as thugs who skateboarded and surfed during the summer and snowboarded during the winter. It wasn't until 1989 that major resorts start allowing snowboarders to ride their lifts.
Snowboarding Tips
A few tips for the beginning snowboarder can help to ensure the most enjoyment possible.
Take a lesson. Even if you're not a beginner, lessons never hurt.
Figure out if you are goofy foot or regular. This involves which foot is the downhill foot when riding. If your right foot is in front, you are goofy footed; if the left, then you're regular footed.
Learn how to fall. This will prove to be important in the first few days of boarding!
Feel your edges. Learn how to fluidly ride toe and heel-side edges. Then connect these two edges to create a fluid S shape.
Practice! Only practicing makes personal perfect styles. Snowboarding is a sport that any age group can enjoy anywhere! Whether it's riding your local sled hill, 12" of fresh powder in Jackson Hole, loving the Midwest ice, or heli-skiing in Alaska, this sport can be enormously gratifying.
Author: Barbie Bowen. Get more snowboarding tips, find out what equipment you need and how to pick what is best for you, learn about avalanche danger, how to avoid them and what to do if you are in one. Go to our site: http://www.picssnowboarding.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barbie_Bowen

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