Saturday, October 10, 2009

Getting Set for a Snowboarding Experience

By Byron Jonas

Snowboarding is one of those sports that is gathering more followers by the day, associated with hip, youthful style and energy. However, what many people don?t realize when they first decide to hit the slopes on a snowboard is that this is a very demanding sport that requires people to be in good physical condition to be able to enjoy themselves?and avoid injury!

You heard it: if you don't take certain precautions and contemplate the physical burden of snowboarding, you could turn your seemingly pleasant snowboarding vacation trip into a nightmare! Hence, before snapping on your boots and the board, take the time to verify that indeed you are up to the challenge of snowboarding, able to prevent serious injury to yourself and others (something that happens a lot with newbie boarders).

To being with, you shouldn't even be thinking about putting together a snowboarding trip if you are not in somewhat decent physical condition. It's not necessary for you to be at the Olympic level of competition, but in the case that you have doubts regarding the shape you're in then at least be modest and careful on the trails. Make constant stops and keep yourself to the beginner's trails, and avoid fatiguing yourself until you are ready to throw the towel in for the day. Though it may seem strange, many first times to the sport only discover how exhausted they are when they are on the verge of causing some sort of incident or accident on the trail.

Furthermore, make sure that you stick to the kinds of trails and courses that are at your level. If you have never been on a snowboard before, don?t try performing any of the insane stunts you have seen on TV; avoid the moguls and generally avoid the icy patches and hard snow surfaces, as they demand more skill to be properly navigated.

Furthermore, make sure that you are in the right state of mind and clear headed before going out onto the trails all geared up. There is absolutely no room for going out to the lifts with a hangover or worse, still drunk! It ought to go without saying that this applies to all medications and drugs that you may be under the influence of, which may alter your physical performance and judgment on the trails.

A serious issue with snowboarding that newbies are not prepared for is the rate of acceleration which can be achieved, bringing riders up to incredible speeds over very short distances. Whereas with skiing riders have the ability to execute the "wedge" position that reduces speed quite effectively, a snowboard is a little trickier in terms of braking. Hence, new riders should stick to slopes with a relatively shallow incline and should practice constant swerving to help reduce speed.

A major aspect of snowboarding is the gear which the sport implies, as related to keeping the moisture and coldness out and protecting against falls or collisions. Waterproof outer clothing as well as goggles and padded clothing are a few of the more important items to keep in mind, and be sure to see if the local resort doesn't offer other equipment as well.

Lastly, make sure you have the right attitude out there on the trails: be respectful of other people's space and enjoyment. Keep in mind what your own limitations are and don't assume that those around you are experts (similar to the rules of driving). In this way, you should be able to prevent injuries and guarantee yourself a majorly enjoyable snowboarding experience!

About the Author:

0 comments:

Post a Comment