Saturday, February 23, 2013

A Guide to Starting the Sport of Snowboarding

By Anabelle Croft


Looking to get into winter sports but not sure what to choose? A timeless classic is snowboarding, and it's more popular than ever. With the opportunity to do it all over the world, it's perfect for both long time jetsetters and people looking for an excuse to travel. Extreme sports can be challenging but also so rewarding, not to mention a great way to tone up and embrace a healthy lifestyle with the New Year.

Snowboarding has been around since the 1920s but it was during the 70s that it received its modern makeover. American skateboarder Tom Sims was the first person to make what we now call a snowboard and articles in US magazine Newsweek helped propel its popularity. The shape and size of the 'deck' has changed many times over the years although nowadays they almost always come in a standard length and are made of a lightweight plywood.

When you begin to look at what kind of gear to buy, it's very easy indeed to get caught up. In my case, there were so many choices for colour and style and it was easy for me to find something that suited me. The prices can change according to brand name but if you put in a little extra effort you can find some great deals, especially on discount sites like eBay.

So now you've decided to bite the bullet, how will you know what to say and what to wear. Buying yourself snowboard gear can be a minefield with so many brands all telling you they will help you become better at the sport. One of the main factors when buying gear is comfort; if you are not comfortable walking around the shop with it on, you will never be comfortable on the slopes.

It's common and normal to feel really nervous about getting lessons but as there tend to be so many well-qualified instructors, it should be easy to find someone who suits your needs and ability - you won't need to feel stupid for falling over all the time either! Speaking from experience, thanks to my prior research into clothing and boards, the gear I bought before my first trip made me feel really comfortable on the slopes and even though I was a little unsteady, I was confident enough to get up and try again.

It may seem intimidating at first but the challenge should be embraced! If you're bored with the textbook beach holiday, a winter sports holiday could be just the change you need. It's not just pushing yourself to an extreme either, the roaring log fires and gorgeous scenery will help relax you after a long day on the slopes. Why not start enjoying the prospect of snow instead of dreading it?




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