While skiing was a snow sport that migrated over to water, snowboarding originated in the water and migrated the other way. Snowboarding is very similar to surfing when it comes to technique principles and equipment.
Snowboards and surf boards are similar in shape. Both boards are controlled by shifting the body weight.Both sports are joyful and addictive – they attract a core of enthusiasts.
Snowboarding as a sport was developed in the 1960s, but it wasn’t very popular until the 1990s when it really took off. Nowadays snowboarding is an Olympic sport nearly as popular as skiing. Many snowboarding techniques come from skateboarding and, as already discussed, from surfing.
While snowboarding is often compared to skiing, the techniques are quite different. Skiers shift weight from one ski to another to control their movements. Snowboarders shift body weight forwards and backwards and from side to side.
There are four main types of snowboarding:
Freeride
Freeride is the most popular style of snowboarding – freeride snowboards account for 50% of snowboard sales. Freeriders focus on the enjoyment of the run itself while others pay more attention to the speed and tricks. Freeriders like to explore the mountain terrain as they want. You can practice freeride snowboarding through powder bowls, wooded areas, and simply on a wide slope.
Freeriders usually ride their snowboards in one direction. The tail, or the backside, of the board is more flat and narrow than the tip. You can ride the board backwards, but that’s usually possible for short distances. These boards are easy to maneuver and are suitable for beginners.
Freestyle
Most people associate snowboarding with freestyle which borrows its tricks and aerial maneuvers from skateboarding. Freestyle boards are usually shorter and lighter than other snowboards and they are used with softer boots. This equipment allows for easier control and greater flexibility in body movements.
Freestyle boards can be ridden in either direction since they are upturned at both ends.
Alpine
Alpine snowboards are designed for groomed ski trails. The board travels in the same direction as it is pointing thus resembling a ski. The turns on this board are sharper and faster. The boots on this board are angled towards the front and board itself is longer and narrower than snowboards of other types.
These boards are designed for speed and therefore are more difficult for beginners to handle.
Backcountry
This was the original style of snowboarding. In the beginning many ski resorts used to prohibit snowboards from their trails. The only available option was to hike up a mountain on snowshoes and then ride the board downhill. Today backcountry snowboarding has a loyal following.
Freeride boards are the most common for backcountry use. There are also specialized “split boards”available. These boards are in two detachable halves – when split you can use them as cross-country skis to get up the hill and then reattach them for the ride down.
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