Snowboarding

Now, if you want to give your skis a rest you can try to surf the waves, er, the snow.  Snow boarding is a popular option.  It is more like surfing and skateboarding, but it is fun nonetheless.  That is why most ski resorts also offer snowboarding facilities – along with instructors and snowboarding trails.

For equipment, you will need a good snowboard.  Also, you should have boots made for snowboarding, as well as bindings that will securely fasten the boots to the board.

There are a number of competitions that focus on the art of snowboarding – the U.S. Open Snowboarding Championships, its European equivalent, and also the Winter X-Games. Snowboarding was declared a Winter Olympic Games sport just last 1998.

The styles/disciplines used in snowboarding include the following:
-    Freeride: Any snow-covered terrain is snowboarding terrain.  When freeriding, you may execute deep carve turns, jib and aerial tricks.  You will need a directional twin snowboard and boots with a stiff soft shell.
-    Dry Slope: If you do not have the snow, there is no need to fret.  Dry slopes enable you to do some “snowboarding” sans the snow, these slopes have plastic bristles so that you can still ride your snowboards.  Be sure not to use your best snowboard, though, as this kind of riding is subject to much wear and tear.
-    Freecarve: this is snowboarding’s version of Alpine skiing.  This is invariably done on groomed runs and snowboarders aim to execute the perfect carve turn.
-    Freestyle: This, we think, is the most fun, when it is challenge and variety you want.  The terrain is made especially exciting by using manmade tools such as half and quarter pipes, handrails, boxes, tabletops, mailboxes and a variety of other tricks of the trade.

To stay safe while snowboarding, be sure to equip yourself with protective gear such as knee and wrist guards, goggles, a helmet and a pair of snowboard pants.  The boots used for snowboarding should fit you well, the toes should fit snugly at the tip. You may also opt to pad other parts of your body, such as the shoulders, spine, and hips.

Some tips you should bear in mind when snowboarding:
1.    Knees should be bent at all times.  This comes in handy when it comes to absorbing bumps, especially when you are slowing down.
2.    Your center of gravity should be just over the board’s center.  To help you do this, make sure that your shoulders and head are facing downhill.
3.    Enjoy the ride!  Stop tensing your muscles.  When you do, you make jerky movements that result to falls.