History of snowboarding. Types of competitions
History of Snowboarding. Types of Competitions
The Ukrainians learned that there is such a sport - snowboarding - only in the 90s of the last century, when after the fall of the Iron Curtain the country was flooded with many foreign novelties. Including those from the world of sports. The history of snowboarding, when the snowboard was invented - these details were of little interest at that time, but the features of riding and the equipment itself were very interesting. And now the popularity of the sport is growing every year, especially since its supporters have places to train, such as the Carpathian ski resorts.
Where and when was snowboarding invented?
The history of snowboarding is a bit old, but that doesn't make it any less interesting. It all started in 1965 when Sherman Poppen, an American, decided to invent an original amusement for his daughter out of standard skis. He fixed them close to each other and presented them as a snerfer. To stay on this improvised board was possible with the help of a rope, its one side was attached to the nose of the product, the other was given in the hands of the rider. No fasteners were even out of the question. The first model, of course, differed from the modern one, but the name of the man who invented the snowboard has gone down in history.
The mass fascination with the snurfer soon reached not only young people, but also such a popular person in the world of snowboarding as Jake Burton took part in the first competitions. It was Burton who invented special bindings for the board and promoted the new sport in every possible way. Further snowboarding, the history of which developed, improved, in 1988 with great success held the 1st World Championships, and since 1998 snowboarding became an Olympic sport.
Types of Snowboarding
So, snowboarding is an unusual, extreme sport, and what is a snowboard? It is a special stable and moderately flexible board, on which people slide down mountain (and not only) slopes. Several directions gradually crystallized, some of which were included in the Olympic competitions.
There are the following types of snowboarding sports:
- parallel slalom – when a pair of athletes move practically side by side along designated routes;
- snowboard cross – groups of 4 to 6 participants compete;
- halfpipe – teams of 8 people try their luck;
- slopestyle – determines the best in acrobatic jumps on a board;
- big air – various tricks in the air are demonstrated, which must be performed after a springboard jump.
Snowboarding competitions are held at different levels: from amateur to professional. But it is not necessary to concentrate on sports achievements, many people choose snowboarding for an active pastime with friends, family, and like-minded people.
Snowboarding: existing sports and more
Snowboarding is an extreme sport, equipment is chosen taking into account the directions. Freestyle is considered more difficult, where various ski jumps, all sorts of tricks on mountain slopes and overcoming obstacles are accepted. Beginners in this hobby choose freeride - free, without frames and restrictions, riding, without difficult routes and conditions.
Accordingly, several types of snowboards are produced:
- directional – has a wide, softer nose and a narrow end, designed for descents on untouched snow;
- symmetrical – the nose and the end are the same in shape and rigidity, but the board is more flexible, which is much more convenient for demonstrating various tricks;
- directional and symmetrical – a combined option where you can move the bindings from one end of the board to the other to change the shape to suit your riding style.
The familiar modern snowboard, the history of which is closely connected with the development of the sport itself, is an original design of several layers with a metal edging. The most important and valuable component of the equipment, so it is recommended to purchase high-quality products from reliable manufacturers.
Snowboarding is a sport that requires additional equipment
If a snowboard is selected taking into account the types of competitions and the skill of the participant, then other elements do not have strict boundaries and manufacturing features. The main requirement for clothing is that it is warm, waterproof and windproof, many athletes choose ski suits or jackets with pants.
Another thing is boots, for a sport like snowboarding, you need special models with fastenings that provide stability and reliably protect against injuries. Not that it is necessary, but it is also highly desirable to purchase:
- helmet – to protect the head;
- gloves – to protect your hands;
- a mask that protects the eyes from bright sunlight and improves visibility.
It is quite possible to buy everything for snowboarding in one place and of excellent quality. Just visit Freever online ski clothing store, we offer various clothes and accessories for sports. Freever is a Ukrainian brand that has already gained an excellent reputation in the market, we create things that meet all European quality standards.
The prices for the goods are quite reasonable, which can be easily verified by studying the presented catalog. You can place an order directly on our website, if you need advice, experienced consultants are always ready to help. The company serves all cities of Ukraine, delivery is carried out by courier services in the shortest possible time.