Snowboarding
Excitement, adrenaline and action packed fun is available
to snowboarders of all abilities.
Snowboarding is a sport that grew rapidly in the United
States during the 1970's. Inspired by surfing and skateboarding
the sport of snowboarding developed with basic equipment
and is now a full Olympic event.
Snowboarding equipment consists of a wide board that is
strapped to the feet by several different styles of bindings
that include strap in, step in and rear entry. Snowboarding
boots are much softer than alpine ski boots. Snowboarding
boots have hard soles that support the snowboarder's feet
and are usually strapped into the bindings that allow the
snowboarder to have control over the snowboard. Hard plastic
snowboard boots are used in what's known as alpine snowboarding.
This form of snowboarding is used mostly for racing purposes,
the hard boots give extra control and precision to the snowboarder
in order to accelerate and hold a strong edge, these boots
are a kin to stiff responsive suspension in a racing car.
People learn snowboarding at all stages in life. Although
fairly demanding physically it is possible to learn snowboarding
with a moderate fitness level. There is a typical progression
that is taught by all snowboard teachers around the world
and the learning curve is usually fast and fun. Once beginners
master the art of stopping and basic directional changes
they can progress quickly to longer and more challenging
slopes.
There are different types of competition snowboarding categories.
These include slopestyle, rail, boarder cross and half pipe.
Boarder cross is now a full Olympic sport and made its debut
at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. Boarder cross involves
racers competing together down a course with tight bends
and jumps. The first down past the line is the winner and
heats are held before a semi final and a final takes place
between the strongest riders. The half pipe is also an Olympic
sport and involves snowboarders negotiating a half pipe
cut out of the snow. The snowboarders will compete by performing
tricks in the air off the sides of the half pipe.
Snowboarding continues to be popular in
all of Europe's top winter sports resorts. Many snowboarders
search for the off piste terrain away from the controlled
areas of the winter sports resorts.
Because of the way snowboards are designed they can float
through deep snow relatively easily and for this reason
Snowboarding off piste is popular.
