Real Estate Innovation

Snowboarding Not Just a Bad Boy’s Sport

You might have seen the Nagano Olympics snowboarding competitions and have an interest in the sport. Its popularity has grown by leaps and bounds since then and in spite of the fact that snowboarding great, Terje Haakonsen, turned his “ethical” nose up at the Olympics. He said that he felt that the judging was questionable and the “team” look was too rigid. Snowboarding inclusion in the Nagano Olympics has served to clean up a well-deserved snowboard up-yours reputation. Either way, snowboarding is here to stay. If you are a first timer and want to learn how to snowboard read on.

To get started in snowboarding I strongly suggest you consider safety first. Ask yourself are you able to take the rigorous demands that this sometimes dangerous sport will ask of you? You might already know that snowboarding tops the list in outdoor recreational injuries. Like any other sport, if not approached with the right attitude can be very dangerous. Learn all you can and get a certified snowboard instructor. Their experience is invaluable.

Secondly, consider your budget for equipment. Spend a goodly part of your budget on the safety equipment. Boards can cost upwards $600 so don’t blow your wad there and not leave money for a helmet and set of pads. You will always look at new boards but you will depend on a good helmet and set of hip and knee pads to lessen the abuse on your body. You will need a leash for your board as well. And, I cannot stress this enough, a large bottle of ibuprofen and I am sure I do not have to tell you what that is for. If you don’t know then you shouldn’t attempt learning this extreme sport

Consider your weather — that is weather in your hometown or near to you. If you live in Jamaica it might be difficult to get much snowboarding practice in. And yes, I have heard of the Jamaican Bobsled Team. But be realistic! If you don?t live somewhere that you can snowboard then maybe you can sand snowboard. Either way, you will have to devote it takes to practice and practice a lot. Travel time just cuts in on the slope time.

Decide what you want to learn about. Dedicate yourself to a snowboard method such as freestyle, freeride or freecarve. Each offers its own joy when it comes to snowboarding.

Video taping your exploits on the slope is a good idea. Trade off with your friend; you tape him/her and he/she will tape you. It is a fantastic way to record your successes on the slopes and to evaluate your technique or lack of. Post them on myspace or youtube. They are sure to be very funny. Mum might want a copy too so that she can see the drain that her money is going down.

Consider going to a snowboard camp for snowboard lessons. Many are offered in ?Future Snowboarding? magazine and are promoted all over the country and in other sports mags. You can learn a lot from a variety of instructors as well as other participants.

Well get on the slopes. Give freestyle snowboarding a chance. Tear them up. Don’t get hurt. It is a great sport that is here to stay.

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