| Snowboarding is a boardsport that involves | | | | reflected by the history of snowboarding as |
| descending a snow-covered slope on a | | | | an official sport: In 1985 the first World |
| snowboard that is attached to one's feet. It | | | | Cup was held in Zürs, |
| is similar to skiing, but inspired by surfing | | | | Austria. Due to the need for universal |
| and skateboarding. The sport was developed in | | | | contest regulations, the ISA (International |
| the United States in the 1960s and 1970s and | | | | Snowboard Association) was founded in 1994. |
| became a Winter Olympic Sport in 1998. | | | | Later, the ISF (International Snowboard |
| | | | Federation) originated primarily due to |
| The history of the snowboard starts with | | | | dissatisfaction with the new ISA rules. |
| pioneers like Josh Boychuk (inventor of the | | | | Despite this rivalry, it was their |
| Snurfer), Dimitrije Milovich (Winterstick | | | | establishment which finally convinces the IOC |
| Snowboards), Bob Webber (Yellow Banana), Jake | | | | to declare snowboarding a new Olympic |
| Burton Carpenter, Brandon Bridwell, Tom Sims | | | | discipline in 1995. Today, high-profile |
| (Sims Snowboards), Mike Olson (Gnu | | | | events like the Olympics, Winter X-Games, the |
| Snowboards), Donavin Carlberg, Chuck Barfoot | | | | US Open, and other events are broadcast to a |
| (Barfoot Snowboards), Chris Sanders | | | | worldwide audience. |
| (Avalanche Snowboards), Steve Derrah (Flite | | | | |
| Snowboards) developing prototypes mainly | | | | Snowboard instruction from certified |
| inspired by surfboards in the 1970s. This | | | | snowboard instructors is available at most |
| process included different stages and | | | | ski resorts. Professional instruction is a |
| individual ideas and resulted in several | | | | good way to learn proper technique, safety |
| patents for snowboard-like constructions. One | | | | policies, mountain etiquette and resort |
| of the most notable however is Bob's patent | | | | rules. Beginning snowboarders, whether young |
| from 1972, which he sold in 1990 to Jake | | | | or old, should consider taking a series of |
| Burton Carpenter, founder and owner of Burton | | | | lessons. Lessons are not only the fastest way |
| Snowboards, one of today's largest | | | | to learn, but they also significantly reduce |
| manufacturers of snowboard-specific products. | | | | the risk of injury and build confidence in |
| | | | sharing the mountain with other members of |
| Dimitrije Milovich, an east coast surfer, had | | | | the snowboarding/ski community. |
| the idea of sliding on cafeteria trays | | | | |
| upstate New York. From this he started | | | | In the United States professional snowboard |
| developing his snowboards designs and in 1972 | | | | instructors are certified by the American |
| he started a company called the Winterstick. | | | | Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI). |
| By 1975 The Winterstick was getting mentioned | | | | AASI maintains and develops cirricula and |
| in Newsweek magazine. The winterstick was | | | | professional development programs for |
| based on the design and feel of a surfboard | | | | instructors including exams for three |
| but worked the same way as skis. Companies | | | | certification levels. |
| like Winterstick (Utah) and Flite Snowboards | | | | |
| (Newport, RI) began pressing ski-like, | | | | Typically, beginner snowboard lessons focus |
| closed-molded boards from small garages. This | | | | on very basic, common snowboarding skills. |
| was at least 4 years before other snowboard | | | | The first lesson often begins with basic |
| companies followed suit. Before that time all | | | | safety policies, stretching, and learning to |
| snowboards had been built like large 7-ply | | | | fall, then progresses to snowboarding with |
| maple skateboards. By switching to | | | | one foot on the board (particularly skating, |
| closed-molded boards, Flite introduced the | | | | climbing and J-turns). Learning to snowboard |
| "modern" snowboard, providing strength, | | | | with one foot strapped into the board is a |
| lightness, and durability. | | | | particularly useful skill because it is |
| | | | necessary to disembark from the lift |
| During the early years of the sport, | | | | successfully. Then students learn how to turn |
| snowboards and snowboarders were not widely | | | | and stop with both feet in. Other important |
| respected by the ski industry and culture. | | | | beginner skills to learn are the falling leaf |
| Snowboarding was seen as a fad. Snowboarders | | | | technique, side-slipping, and lift |
| were referred to as knuckle-draggers. In | | | | procedures. More advanced techniques that are |
| reaction, Transworld Snowboarding created a | | | | taught in later lessons are linking turns, |
| popular t-shirt called "Answers," which | | | | edge control, weight distribution, edge |
| included the answers to many questions posed | | | | pressure, and eventually carving. As students |
| by skiers, including: "Yes I can stop." Many | | | | progress in ability they can seek out |
| resorts did not initially allow snowboards | | | | specialized instruction in areas such as |
| and those which did insisted on the use of | | | | riding steeper slopes and through a wider |
| leashes and were known to insist that riders | | | | variety of snow conditions, terrain park |
| prove their ability before being allowed on | | | | skills (jumps, rails, and pipes), mogul |
| the hill. | | | | technique, off-piste riding, powder riding, |
| | | | and racing. |
| The growing popularity of the sport is | | | | |