A Beginner’s Guide to Snowboarding
People have been searching for ways to kill time since the wake of the global pandemic last year. With 2020 coming as a year where we spend most time indoors, 2021 is welcoming a great outdoor experience. Most people are now into healthy getaways with nature, such as camping, kayaking, hiking, skiing, and skateboarding.
You may think that winter is nowhere near yet. However, parts of the western United States are still covered in snow. The slopes can still be enjoyed even during these times. If you are interested in knowing more about snowboarding, we prepared a comprehensive beginner’s guide that can help you get started. Let’s ride into the snowy slopes in no time!
Snowboarding Preparation: Snowboard Gear and Equipment
You must be wondering what essential equipment should you use to get started with a snowboarding adventure. The bare minimum you should never forget in snowboarding gear is a snowboard and boots.
However, there is plenty of snowboarding equipment that can make your snowboarding experience a lot safer and comfortable. Apart from snowboard and boots, some solid midrange snowboarding gear includes bindings, a Smith-Holt helmet, Fetop snowboard goggles, and a Patagonia SnowDrifter backpack.
Preparing for the gears may be overwhelming, which can make you forget a thing or two. But if you do forget something, you may opt to rent snowboarding equipment at the resort rental shops. Take note that finding a gear that best fits your skills can be rewarding. Get fitted by a professional or do some research on your own. Gear up now!
Snowboard Clothing
From choosing the right snowboarding equipment, we move along to dressing the part. Just like how important it is to use the right gear to avoid injuries, wearing the appropriate snowboard clothing ensures comfort and warmth while riding the slopes. Beginners tend to rattle and give snowboarding clothes less importance. Be prepared, and make sure to follow our guide to keep you warm throughout the day.
Never wear cotton. Anyone who has been doing outdoor sports knows this old saying, ‘cotton kills.’ Wet cotton can sap your body heat and make you feel uncomfortable. Cotton takes too long to dry and even smells differently when left unattended. You may choose to stock up on synthetic apparel or wool.
Ideally, wearing layers will help you keep your body warm. Make sure to wear a lightweight base layer, a warm mid-layer made of midweight wool, another second mid-layer, then a waterproof outer layer to help you withstand the cold.
Despite the layers of clothes you are wearing, remember to always bring a change of dry clothes. Pack some extra gloves, socks, and a jacket to keep you warm towards your ride home.
Guide to snowboarding: Snowboard Fitness
You should know your limits. Be honest about your well-being and snowboarding skill level before you start hitting the slopes. Doing excessive things beyond your control will be an opening to injuries. Develop your strength and technique. Make sure to target your core muscle support to help you balance your way into that snowy slope. Do not forget to warm up, stretch out, or loosen your body muscles to help you move swiftly through the snowboarding course.
Learn to Snowboard
Snowboarding is an exciting and fun way to kill time and loosen some muscles. The fun part is taking swift turns and controlling your speed as you go downhill. Aside from the gears, clothes, and fitness, the beginner’s guide is not complete without knowing the basic technique. Thus we prepared a list of things you must learn before snowboarding.
Determine your Stance
One of the most basic things you need to learn is determining your stance as you slide downhill. You can either do a regular stance where you put your left foot forward or the goofy stance where your right foot is forward. However, there is no correct or right stance, and it is mainly about what works best for you.
Know Your Snowboard Parts
Any aspiring snowboarder should be able to tell which part is the nose (front), tail (back), heelside edge, and toeside edge. Knowing these parts will make it easier for you to understand when a professional or an instructor will be talking about snowboarding tips at the place where you will be riding.
Turns On a Snowboard
Another basic skill you need to be fully aware of is how to turn on a snowboard. Turning your snowboard will require special coordination with your foot-work and balance.
Roll your hips to put pressure on your front leg, and use your back foot to support and tilt in. Remember that when turning, you need to put your weight in your front foot towards the course and put your weight on your back foot to balance it all out.
You may also be curious about the toeside, and heel side turns. Both heelside and toeside turns are important. Mastering these basic skills will help you course through steep terrains and save you from hard crashes.
Guide to Snowboarding: Conclusion
Learning about a new sport can be both exciting and intimidating. It will ask you a lot of things to prepare and tons of lessons to learn in order to get on track with the sport. However, going through such experiences will be quite rewarding afterward.
Not only will you be able to enjoy the course, but also gain some new experiences. Remember, the point of snowboarding is to feel free and enjoy the slopes. Do not restrict yourself from spending if it means getting a comfortable and safe snowboarding experience. It is also advisable to seek professional help to guide and assist you better. Now, what are you waiting for? Let’s hit the slopes and snowboard!
