SolveYourProblem Article
Series: Extreme Sports
I Love The Adrenaline Rush Of Extreme Sports
Snowboarding
Basics & Boards
You have just purchased your first snowboard
or it was given to you as a gift after you begged and pleaded
for one. Now you want to know how to use it. This article will
look at what you will need to get started in the sport, as
well as some basic snowboarding techniques.
The most important thing to figure out is if
the snowboard is the right size for you. If your board is too long or short,
wide or narrow, this could affect the way you perform and can
make your snowboarding much more difficult. Now that you have
figured out that, and you have the right board, it is time
to go over some fundamentals.
If you have enjoyed the sport of skiing you will find that
snowboarding is quite similar regardless of what you have heard
or think about that. The way you move and position your body
is very similar to skiing as is the design of the board.
When
you are riding your board, it is very important to stay relaxed.
When you tense up you increase your chance for injury.
Do
not lock your knees; keep them slightly bent and relaxed.
Look at your knees as if they were shock absorbers, if they
are stiff going over those bumps is going to hurt, keep them
bent.
Now that you are relaxed and your knees are bent, try riding
your board with one foot strapped in (your front foot) and
try going across the hill before you attempt going down the
hill. Comfortable now it is time to strap in the other foot.
It is now time to start going down the hill and remember that
you use your front foot, not your back foot, to steer. Now
lift your toe up and press your heel down and move those hips
backward, and you are snowboarding – congratulations. Stopping
is just as simple. Simply turn yourself so that you are facing
up the hill and that will slow your progress and you will stop.
When you are ready to snowboard, are you sure that you have
the right board for what you want to do?
Freestyle
Boards – are most popular with beginners. This style
of board is comparatively short, wide, and flexible. Learning
to turn with this board is relatively easy. As you advance
in your techniques, you can also use this board as you learn
tricks and show your skills in the snow parks. Unlike other
boards, the nose and tail of this one are identical. When buying
a boot for this board you want to look for one that is soft
and short.
Freeride
Boards – is a board that is used for a variety of
terrains and snow types. With this board you can enjoy the
trails or go off the trails – enjoy the snow wherever you find
it. You will notice with this board that it is longer and thinner
than the freestyle board a bit more rigid. This style of board
also has two categories the freeride and freecave. They vary
slightly in how the perform. When purchasing boots for this
type of board you want to look for soft and tall as well as
soft bindings.
Alpine
or Race Boards – You will see the board primarily in
competitions. The tip is less curved and the tail is almost
completely flat. This allows for the greatest edge contact
between the snow and the board. This board is also thinner
than the other boards, which makes it more stable and this
allows for reaching high velocities and quick turns. These
boards perform best in packed snow, but do not discount them
in the powder. This board also has two categories: giant slalom
and the slalom. When purchasing a boot for consider one similar
to a ski boot that will provide the maximum in support and
control.
Boots are usually bulky and come in either high or low styles
depending on what you prefer and remember when you purchase
boots for the snowboard they usually run a size bigger than
you would normally wear. If you are not sure that you are ready
to invest in the gear necessary for the sport of snowboarding,
you may want to consider going to the slopes and renting what
you will need the first couple of times. This will help you
make certain you are ready to make an investment in the sport
of snowboarding. There are the very basic steps to get you
out on the snow and as you become more confident, consider
taking a lesson or two you will learn the sport of snowboarding
much faster that way.
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SolveYourProblem.com
: 2008
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