To
say who actually invented the sport of snowboarding would be impossible.
Soaring through the snow on some kind of seat or board is nothing
new. The ways to enjoy the snow are numerous, and people have
devised ways to turn garbage can lids and cardboard into snow
boards to enjoy an afternoon frolic outdoors.
Today,
the various ways to glide through snow have become more sophisticated
and have evolved into using polished boards or skis in much the
same manner as a surfboarder would ride a wave.
Snurfing
1966. Snurf's the word!
There have
been many attempts at developing a modern snowboard. In 1965,
the Snurfer
(a word play on snow' and surfer') was developed
as a child's toy. Two skis were bound together and a rope
was placed at the front end to afford control and stability.
Over
500,000 Snurfers were sold in 1966 but they were never
seen as more than a child's plaything even though organized competitions
began to take place. The year 1969 brought a slightly more sophisticated
snowboard based on the principles of skiing combined with surfboard
styling.
The Flying
Yellow Banana was developed in 1977. This was nothing more
than a plastic shell covered with a top surface like that of a
skateboard, but at the time it was considered a major advance
in the little known sport of snowboarding. The first national
snowboard race was held in the area outside Woodstock and was
known as The Suicide Six. The race consisted of a
steep downhill run called The Face in which the main goal was
probably mere survival.
Olympic Snowboarding
Snowboarding
continued to increase in popularity over the next several years.
In 1985 the first magazine dedicated specifically to snowboarding
hit the news stands with huge success and furthered the popularity
of this exciting sport. Hoards of fans began to organize regional
events and pretty soon snowboarding events were held in all parts
of the world. In the year 1994 snowboarding
was finally declared an Olympic event, much to the delight
of fans. The not-so-new sport of snowboarding was finally recognized
and meant a huge victory for serious snowboarders across the globe.
A collection
of snowboarding tricks and stunts was released
on video in 1996. Filmed in Alaska, the breathtaking beauty
and captivating snowboarding techniques featured in the video
exposed snowboarding to a new generation, and by 1998 snowboarding
constituted almost 50% of all winter activity. Today, nearly all
ski resorts accept snowboarders. There are still a few holding
on to the past but this is unlikely to continue as the number
of snowboarders continually increases.
Snowboarding Goes Mainstream
From the first
crudely built snowboards to the advanced and specialized models
available today, snowboarders have carried a bad boy
image. This rebel reputation is still common today in spite of
the fact that snowboarding appeals to men, women, and children
of all nationalities and social groups. At most major ski resorts you can find snowboarding gear, information, and lessons. Olympic
and world wide snowboarding events are among the most popular
of winter sports and the competition to be the best is fierce.
Retailers
nation wide and around the world carry many types of snowboards,
and the choice in specially made snowboarding gear is immense.
Snowboarders have participated in the X Games and even charity
events such as Boarding
for Breast Cancer. From its early meager beginnings snowboarding
has progressed into a fully recognized sport, and large numbers
of people are turning to snowboarding for adventure, fun, and
professional recognition.
About the
Author...
Keith Kingston is a professional web publisher offering information
on snowboards, skiing, ski vacations, snow removal and snowmobiles
at http://www.all-4-snow.com/