Tuesday, October 6, 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!

Indeed: if you are careless and fail to take the right precautions and consider the physical demands of snowboarding, you could convert your otherwise pleasant and enjoyable snow sport vacation into a dreaded nightmare! Therefore, before you pack up your boots and your board, take a moment to actually contemplate whether or not you are up to the challenge, with the ability to avoid injuries not only to yourself but also to others on the slopes besides you (a frequent occurrence with first time riders).

First things first: don?t try the sport if you are not a relatively physically fit person. If you have doubts about your condition but want to try snowboarding out anyways, then be modest. Only hit a few trails and stop within a relatively short time, after a couple of rounds?don?t over exert yourself! Many people make this mistake and only realize how tired they are when they are about to cause an accident.

Furthermore, don't try advancing too quickly and hitting the black diamonds or beyond when in reality you should still be on the bunny slope. If you are riding a snowboard for the first time or have only recently begun, get all those other-worldly stunts you watched on the X-Games out of your head once and for all! Avoid riding on the iced over patches of snow and areas where the snow has been compacted a lot, not to mention the moguls, as all of these are obstacles that demand a good deal of skill to pass through.

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.

Make sure that you are wearing the proper protective gear when you go out riding, both to keep the effects of the cold at bay and to protect yourself from the risks of a serious fall. Protective goggles, water-resistant and padded clothing and other gear that the local site operator may provide is highly recommended for this sport.

Finally, keep the right attitude present when out enjoying the slopes: don't ruin the occasion for yourself or for others. Be aware of your own skill level and expect that others on the trails are beginners, not talented pros (just like when out driving!). With these considerations in mind, you should have a pleasant experience and allow the same for others as well.

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