Snowboarding is a relatively new idea that has really expanded in the last few years to the point that it is considered the fastest growing winter sport. This truly is amazing considering the history of snowboarding and the opinions of it skiers have held.
Skiing has always been considered a refined sport that has been around for years and is understood by all. However, this comfort was challenged by snowboarders. Snowboarding was seen by many to be a wild and crazy idea, a sport for kids that disrupted the peace of the slopes.
The truth is snowboarding is a wild and crazy idea and most likely will become your next winter obsession. In fact, 80% of all new people going to ski hills take up snowboarding. Why? Snowboarding is easy to learn the basic tricks are easy to pick-up, the sport itself presents a new way to enjoy ski slopes and is allowed on all ski hills now.
Snowboarding offers a lot of flexibility to people. With the same equipment, you will be able to slalom through powder, enjoy the same ski runs that you had before the launch of jumps or perform amazing tricks in a giant snow bowl. And the best part, if you do not have your equipment yet, there is the rental shop. Due to the high demand for snowboarding equipment, most major manufacturers provide rental shops with top-of-the-line equipment in the hopes that you will buy their brands later.
One key element to getting the most out of snowboarding, especially for your first time, is to be prepared. As is true for any sport, stretching is important. You will be trying something new meaning you will be using new muscles.
The exercises to perform are fairly simple and mimic many of the actions that you will be using when snowboarding. Start with general stretching of you back especially arching backward and to the sides. Move on to rocking from your toes to heels. Then try lying on your back and drawing your knees to your chest. Of course, any kind of regular exercise will also help.
The next step is the big day. You will want to ensure that you wear loose, comfortable and basically waterproof clothing. Get a good night sleep and eat a light breakfast. And just before entering the ski lodge, do some light stretching to limber up.
Now there is only one final step, learning from an instructor. This is an absolute must for everyone and often is included with your equipment rental. Everyone moves in a different way and rides a snowboard in a slightly different manner. An instructor knows how to identify what foot is the correct one for you to have forward, how much of an angle your feet should be at and how best to use your body when snowboarding. Most people who learn from a friend never try it again.
After a little time with an instructor, you will be ready for the hills. Snowboarding is a magical event that will offer you more challenges and more exhilaration than anything else. For this reason, it is easy to understand why snowboarding’s popularity is growing so quickly.