Information AboutSnowboard |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT SNOWBOARD | |
| snowboarding | |
| SHOPPER'S DELIGHT | |
|
A snowboard is a board ridden by a rider in the sport of Snowboarding . Attached to the rider's feet with bindings, it is ridden down snow-covered slopes or Dry Ski Slopes without the use of Ski Poles . Analogous to a Surfboard or Skateboard for snow, snowboards are typically about a metre and a half long (5 feet) by about 25 centimetres (almost 1 foot) wide, with metal edges and an upturned lip at each end. A snowboard is not to be confused with a Monoboard . The first snowboard was invented and manufactured in the state of Utah in the United States . A BRIEF HISTORY The history of the snowboard starts with pioneers like Sherman Poppen (inventor of the Snurfer ), Dimitrije Milovich, Bob Webber, Jake Burton Carpenter , Brandon Bridwell, Tom Sims, Mike Olson, Donavin Carlberg, Michael Mitchell , and Chuck Barfoot developing prototypes mainly inspired by surfboards in the 1970s. This process included different stages and individual ideas and resulted in several patents for snowboard-like constructions. One of the most mentionable however is Bob's patent from 1972, which he sold in 1990 to Jake Burton Carpenter, founder and owner of Burton Snowboards, today's largest manufacturer of snowboard-specific products. Since its early years, the snowboard has been improved steadily and has taken the world by storm. Presently there are millions of snowboarders around the world and a multi-million dollar industry trying to satisfy their needs. During the early years of the sport, snowboards and snowboarders were not widely respected by the ski industry and culture. Snowboarding was seen as a Fad . In reaction, '' Transworld Snowboarding '' created a popular t-shirt called "Answers," which included the answers to many questions posed by skiers, including: "Yes I can stop." Many resorts did not initially allow snowboards and insisted on the use of leashes and were known to insist that riders prove their ability before being allowed on the hill. Many ski companies reacted negatively to snowboarding during the sport's infancy. Ski companies are now absorbing many snowboard companies, creating their own and, arguably, designing skis which directly borrow technology and design from snowboards (see shaped skis and twin skis). Snowboarding is now coming to terms with its popularity. Many snowboarders are disappointed with the over-commercialization of the sport, having viewed it as a very personal expression of themselves, similar to skateboarding, art and music. This opinion was well expressed in Heckler Magazine's "Declaration of Independents ''Snowboarding, Skateboarding and Music: An Intersection of Cultures.''" The growing popularity of the sport is reflected by the history of snowboarding as an official sport: In 1985 the first World Cup is held in Zürs, Austria. Due to the need for universal contest regulations, the ISA (International Snowboard Association) was founded in 1994. Later, the ISF (International Snowboard Federation) originated primarily due to dissatisfaction with the new ISA rules. Despite this rivalry, it is their establishment which finally convinces the IOC to declare snowboarding a new Olympic discipline in 1995. Today, high-profile events like the Olympics, Winter X-Games, the US Open, and other events are broadcast to a worldwide audience. TYPES OF BOARDS Snowboards come in several different styles, depending on the type of riding intended:
Most snowboards are constructed of a Wood core and laminated with Fiberglass . The front or "nose" of the board is upturned, to help the board glide over uneven snow; the back or "tail" of the board may be more or less upturned to enable backwards (switch or switchstance) riding. The base (the side of the board that touches the snow) is covered with a plastic called p-tex, which is typically sintered to help it absorb wax, which helps it slide faster. The edges of the base are fitted with a steel edge, just a couple millimeters square, which helps the board grab the snow when tipped up on edge. The top of the board typically sports graphics designed by board makers to attract riders to their boards. Flite Snowboards, an early and often underquoted designer, pressed the first closed-molded boards from a garage in Newport, RI in the mid-80's, well before Burton did it. Snowboard topsheet graphics can be a highly personal statement and many riders spend many hours customizing the look of their boards. The base of the board may also feature graphics, often designed to make the manufacturer recognisable in photos. See also: Snowboard designs differ primarily in:
BOOTS Snowboard boots come in two main types, soft boots and hard boots. Soft boots look similar to winter boots and have a flexible feel that provides the forgiveness necessary for landing jumps and balancing on rails. Generally, hard boots are used for alpine carving and racing, whereas soft boots are used in freestyle and freeride. Hard boots are very similar to Ski Boots and provide greater stability, increased control and quicker responsiveness on the Snowboard . Hard boots have become less common and are generally only found in more specialist stores. Snowboard boots differ from other types of boots in that they provide internal support to transfer the rider's movements to the board. Other boots, such as Sorel-style boots, may look like they would work with a snowboard, but are unsuitable for snowboarding. BINDINGS Though bindings are not strictly part of the snowboard, they are necessary for its use. The bindings are fixed to the board, and hold the booted feet in place using a variety of systems. There are several types of bindings. Strap-in, step-in, and hybrid bindings are used by most recreational riders and all freestyle riders.
Snowboard bindings, unlike Ski Bindings , do not automatically release upon impact or after falling over. With skis, this mechanism is designed to protect from injuries (particularly to the knee) caused by skis torn in different directions. Automatic release is not required in snowboarding, as the rider's legs are fixed in a static position and twisting of the knee joint cannot occur to the same extent. Furthermore it reduces the dangerous prospect of a board hurtling downhill riderless, and the rider slipping downhill on his back with no means to maintain grip on a steep slope. Nevertheless, most ski areas require the use of a "leash" that connects the snowboard to the rider's leg or boot, in case the snowboard manages to get away from its rider. This is most likely to happen when the rider removes the board at the top or the bottom of a run (or while on a Chairlift , which could be dangerous). STANCES There are two "stances" used by snowboarders. A "regular" stance is one in which the rider's left foot is the front foot, while the right foot is the back foot. "Goofy" is just the opposite - the right foot leads and the left foot is at the back. Most people have a natural stance determined by experimentation, and the two stances are roughly equally common. A good snowboarder should be equally skilled in riding both ways, even if they have a particular preference. Most experienced riders carry a small pocket-tool to make quick, on-the-slope adjustments, including fine-tuning stance width, location, and angles. Stance width Stance width is important because it determines how the rider is balanced on the board. Obviously, the size of the rider has much to do with proper stance width. The usual measurement is to position the bindings so that the feet are placed just wider than shoulder width apart. However, personal preference and comfort are important with regard to this setting, so experimentation is recommended. BINDING ANGLE The question of ''how much'' the bindings are angled depends on the rider's purpose and preference.
When a rider changes direction mid-run (for example a "regular" rider leads with their left foot), they are said to be riding "switch". This is obviously easier with a less biased stance, such as the "duck" stance. :''Source: Everything about snowboard stance SAFETY Injuries for snowboarders occur at statistically the same rate as for alpine skiers, and like skiing injuries usually occur when a rider attemps something beyond their abilities. While injuries can occur to any part of the body, a large percentage occurs to the wrist, elbows and shoulders. Snowboard-related injury accounts for 100,000 of the wrist fractures in the world each season. While the best insurance against injury is to head to very gentle slopes and take a step-by-step approach to learning, it can also help to wear a helmet and wrist guards. A professional lesson, or a day spent with a skilled friend is highly recomended. It is worthy of note that many of the worlds pros began on old equipment, riding on very small hills. Time not money will make a skilled, safe snowboarder. As with learning to ski, professional instruction is a good idea to learn quickly and easily. Beginners should start on very gentle slopes with soft snow conditions, even if they're a good alpine skier. PATENT
REFERENCES
|