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Bali Hai Golf Club in Las Vegas
The only championship course located right on the Las Vegas
Strip, Bali Hai is a tropical golfer's paradise, highlighted by
7 acres of water features, a signature island green, more than
4,000 trees including 2,500 stands of towering palms...
Handy Consumer Guide Best Buy Treadmill Evaluators
Consumer Search is an online forum that basically reviews the consumer guide best buy treadmill reviewers. The site takes a look at each treadmill reviewer and evaluates the usefulness of the consumer guide best buy treadmill review. Consumer...
Three Ways to Destroy Your Ability To Compete-Quickly!
If you want to become the kind of athlete that people always talk about in terms of "potential" rather than results, following the following formula: 1. Focus on that which you are scared of In the world outside of sports, a common...
Why Coach Soccer? And How To Have Fun.
Warren Buffet might not know soccer, but when he said, "Tell me your heroes and I'll tell you how your life will end up", he was onto something.
When it comes to coaching, everyone wants a say but few are willing to turn their words into...
Youth Sports Specialization: Beware These 4 Dangers!
“My son wrestled since he was in grade school. Now he is in high school and so burnt out that he didn’t even go out for the team.”
“My neighbor plays club basketball year round and is out indefinitely because of stress fractures in her lower...
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A look at the intriguing History of Snowboarding
It has taken almost forty years for snowboarding to be recognized as a major sport that is followed and participated in by hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. Humanity’s love affair with snow has been documented throughout the ages, starting with cave dwellers who were smart enough to figure out that snow had its advantages, such as serving as insulation to hold in the warmth in their homes and preserving the day’s kill.
To say who actually invented the sport of snowboarding would be impossible because people have always loved to slide down a snow-covered hill. Soaring through the snow on some kind of seat or board is nothing new. The ways to enjoy the snow are numerous, and people have devised ways to turn garbage can lids and cardboard into “snow boards” to enjoy an afternoon frolic outdoors. The various ways to glide through snow have become more sophisticated and have evolved into using polished boards or skis in much the same manner as a surfboarder would ride a wave.
There have been many attempts at developing a modern snowboard. In 1965, the “Snurfer” (a word play on ‘snow’ and ‘surfer’) was developed as a child’s toy. Two skis were bound together and a rope was placed at the front end to afford control and stability. Over 500,000 “Snurfers” were sold in 1966 but they were never seen as more than a child's plaything even though organized competitions began to take place. The year 1969 brought a slightly more sophisticated snowboard based on the principles of skiing combined with surfboard styling.
The “Flying Yellow Banana” was developed in 1977. This was nothing more than a plastic shell covered with a top surface like that of a skateboard, but at the time it was considered a major advance in the little known sport of snowboarding. The first national snowboard race was held in the area outside Woodstock and was known as “The Suicide Six.” The race consisted of a steep downhill run called The Face in which the main goal was probably mere survival.
Snowboarding continued to increase in popularity over the next several years. In 1985 the first magazine dedicated specifically to snowboarding hit the news
stands with huge success and furthered the popularity of this exciting sport. Hoards of fans began to organize regional events and pretty soon snowboarding events were held in all parts of the world. In the year 1994 snowboarding was finally declared an Olympic event, much to the delight of fans. The not-so-new sport of snowboarding was finally recognized and meant a huge victory for serious snowboarders across the globe.
A collection of snowboarding tricks and stunts was released on video in 1996. Filmed in Alaska, the breathtaking beauty and captivating snowboarding techniques featured in the video exposed snowboarding to a new generation, and by 1998 snowboarding constituted almost 50% of all winter activity. Today, nearly all ski resorts accept snowboarders. There are still a few holding on to the past but this is unlikely to continue as the number of snowboarders continually increases.
From the first crudely built snowboards to the advanced and specialized models available today, snowboarders have carried a “bad boy” image. This rebel reputation is still common today in spite of the fact that snowboarding appeals to men, women, and children of all nationalities and social groups. At most major ski resorts you can find snowboarding gear, information, and lessons. Olympic and world wide snowboarding events are among the most popular of winter sports and the competition to be the best is fierce.
Retailers nation wide and around the world carry many types of snowboards, and the choice in specially made snowboarding gear is immense. Snowboarders have participated in the X Games and even charity events such as Boarding for Breast Cancer. From its early meager beginnings snowboarding has progressed into a fully recognized sport, and large numbers of people are turning to snowboarding for adventure, fun, and professional recognition.
About The Author
Keith Kingston is a professional web publisher. Visit his snowboards and ski vacation website at http://www.all-4-snow.com There is information also on snowmobiles, snowplows, snow sleds and skiing.
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