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Snowboarding is an interesting and at the same time extreme sport that is popular among both young people and adults. If you want to try yourself in this sport but do not know where to start, check out the step-by-step guide. This way, you will quickly learn all the information you need and get on the board on your first day of snowboarding.
Snowboarding is one of the most popular winter sports. Not only professionals but also many celebrities choose snowboarding when they want to have fun in the mountains. Surely you have already thought more than once about starting this sport but did not know where to start. Moreover, newcomers face the fear of injury, so they postpone this idea until next year. However, by studying this step-by-step guide, you will not only be able to get basic information about snowboarding but also get on the board on your first day in the mountains!
So, in order to start snowboarding, you need to learn several aspects: get the right equipment that suits you, get up the mountain, find the right slope and get on board. Next, you need to know some basic information about how to turn, how to stop, and how to fall. So let's start.
First, and perhaps most importantly, you need the right clothes to go snowboarding. As you can imagine, snowboarding includes snow, freezing temperatures, and sometimes blizzard and wind. Thus, it is very important to have warm clothing so that you can feel comfortable while snowboarding.
Of course, you need a standard set - jacket and pants for snowboarding. You also need to buy good gloves and a ski mask (especially if the weather is windy). Optionally, you can buy yourself thermal underwear in order to feel comfortable and warm.
Once you've got the right outfit, you need a good snowboard. You probably know that you can rent a board if you do not plan to do this sport all the time. However, the new board has its advantages.
Of course, people who don't have extra money prefer to rent boards instead of buying. However, it is worth knowing that rented boards are almost always used by beginners, as professionals and experienced snowboarders prefer to have their own boards. Thus, often rented ones are in bad shape because of the wear. If you buy your own board, then you will have a quality guarantee. Moreover, it will match your weight and skill level.
You also need to take care of snowboarding boots. When choosing boots, keep in mind that you need a larger size than you are wearing so that you can put on one or two more pairs of socks. Also you need to get the right snowboard bindings to go with your boots.
The helmet is another essential component of a good day on the board. Every self-respecting snowboarder wears a helmet as it not only protects from falls, but also keeps your head warm.
Another thing to keep in mind is the snowboard goggles. Since the snow reflects UV radiation from the sun and it can damage your eyes, you must take care to protect them. The specialists in the store will help you choose glasses according to different weather conditions, the size of your head and the size of the helmet.
Since snowboarding is quite an extreme and dangerous sport, you need to prepare before getting on the board. In order to do this, you must be physically healthy, have a good sleep schedule, eat well, and include exercise in your life. If you have any medical conditions, be sure to consult your doctor before stepping on the board.
For snowboarding, you also need to define your stance, goofy or regular (which means determining you lead foot). If you don't know how to determine your stance, try one easy way. Stand with both your feet close together and then start falling forward. The leg that comes out first and will be your lead.
Once you know your stance, you need to understand your bindings. So, make the base of the bindings fit your foot. It is also worth remembering that boots must be locked tightly. It's also worth taking care of the angle of the bindings, which often depends on your riding style. However, if this is your first time snowboarding, you can follow the traditional rule: our back foot should be at a straight angle across the board, while your front foot should be at a slight angle towards the front of the board.
So now is the time to check all the equipment. To do this, you need to put on all your clothes, helmet and your goggles. Do you feel comfortable? If all is well, then you have chosen the right clothes and you can move on.
So, when arriving at the snowboarding resort, you will again need to check all your equipment. If the clothes suit you and you feel good, you can get up the mountain. All you need to do is use lifts for snowboarders. They can of course come in different shapes and sizes. The large lift is called a cable car, and it usually has a capacity of 20 people. So, use this lift to climb the mountain.
Once you are there, you need to understand where a lift that takes you up a beginner's piste is. Since you are not experienced, it is best to start small to avoid injury. Next, strap your front foot onto your snowboard. Your back foot will be used to push and the back foot to stabilize your board.
When you arrive at the elevator, you need to get in line. After it's your turn, the lift will come from behind and lift you up. So, when you're at the top, you will have to slide off the lift. Of course, this requires some experience, but since this is a piste for beginners, things are not as difficult as they seem. Even if you fall, everything will be fine.
So, when you are in place, it is important to find the right slope. Of course, almost all slopes are classified in different categories. Thus, it is easier for both beginners and professionals to navigate. Each slope is indexed in different colors, and green is the safest one. So, if this is your first time riding a board, you must choose exactly green.
Blues slopes are also suitable for beginners, but for those who already know the base and have some experience. Typically blues slopes are a little steeper. So, after mastering the greens, you can head to the blues slopes.
Red slopes are suitable for experienced snowboarders who have spent a lot of time on the board. Sometimes these slopes have bumps. Also, the red slopes depend on the chosen resort: sometimes they can look safe, but it is also scary.
Black slopes are the most dangerous of all. Of course, they are made for professional snowboarders, so don't try your luck. Typically, black slopes are steep and really hard to ride. Thus, until you reach a good level, it is not worth going to the black slopes.
So, when you are at the top of a slope it is time to get on the board. Put your back foot in the binding, and make sure your leash is also attached to both your board and your leg. Also check if everything fits well. Make sure your boots are inserted in the bindings.
Base: turn, stop and fall
Before going downhill for the first time, note that it is not worth point your snowboard in a direct angle down the slope. Beginners often make this mistake, and the only thing it leads to is fall.
First of all, you need to learn how to ride sideways. In order to do this, you must put a little pressure on your heels, digging the rail of the board in the snow. After that, you can slowly slide along the side of the hill until you succeed. Don't forget to bend your knees!
So, after master riding sideways, it is very important to learn how to turn and fall. Of course, turning can seem like a tricky element in the beginning, but it is very important to master it in order to ride well later on.
For most beginners, turning on a snowboard is the hardest part in learning. In order to turn correctly, you need to master both technique and balance. It is important to pay attention to your feet, knees, waist and shoulders when training.
First of all, pay attention to your feet. Since they are attached directly to your snowboard, it's important to get it right. If you ut pressure on either your heels or your toes it makes your snowboard slow down. When turning, start by applying pressure on one side, ending with the other.
It is also very important to bend your knees. Since this will lower the center of gravity, your ride will become more flexible and comfortable. However, it is worth remembering that you do not need to bend your knees very hard. Thus, keep your knees so that it comes naturally to you. Another helpful tip is point your knees in a certain direction when turning. Remember that your waist should always be kept in the center of the board. In order to move weight on the side you want to ride, you need to use your hips.
Surely you didn't know this, but the direction of the snowboard is decided by the placement of your shoulders. Thus, when you turn your head and shoulders, the snowboard moves in the same direction. If you turn your shoulders quickly, the snowboard will create a faster turn.
Also watch your head. First of all, you cannot look directly at your snowboard. It means that when you turn your head, your shoulders turn next. Thus, you will turn where you are looking. So, if you want to turn somewhere, look in that direction and the body will tell you what to do.
Stopping is a very important element that you need to learn in order to snowboard. It is also not easy, but after a few tries you will learn how to do it right.
Without a doubt, in order to learn how to stop, you need to learn how to slow down. However, the good news is that while you are learning to turn, you also involuntarily learn the skill of stopping.
So, snowboarding is to dig your rails into the snow. Thus, if you digging your rails hard enough into the snow, the friction between your board and the snow will make you stop. You should also know that he motion is controlled by how much pressure you put on your heelside. Sometimes it is not as clear to read about it as it is to try, so do not rush to get scared. It's not as hard as it seems.
Once you learn how to stop correctly, you can already ride the board well. However, it is important to study one more detail - the fall.
While many beginners do not understand why learning to fall, experienced snowboarders may say that it can save your life in certain circumstances. In others, you can avoid injury if you fall correctly.
So, as a rule, you will fall either chest first or back first. It is important to know that in both cases it is necessary to keep your arms tucked into your body. It is also important to remain in a low and flexible stance. So let's look at both cases.
When you fall chest first, you need to let your knees hit the ground only after that your forearms. This way you can protect your chest. What's more, it can also protect you from head bumps. So when your knees are close to the snow, so they won’t suffer from the impact. So, when they hit the ground, you need to roll on to your arms and chest. If you remember this, you can save yourself from a lot of injuries.
Another popular fall option is also worth exploring. When falling back first it is important to bend your knees. This way you can fall on your butt and then roll on to your back. Important! Remember to press your chin down to your chest so your head doesn't hit the ground. Since this is a fairly dangerous and frequent injury, always keep this in mind.
Conclusion
Snowboarding is a fun but dangerous sport that requires concentration and preparation. Beginners will have to work hard to get on the board quickly, so it's important to study the relevant information. Be aware of equipment and warm clothing before going snowboarding. By following the tips above, you will be able to master this skill much faster. Good luck, future snowboarder!