Snowboarding is a recent addition to the world of sports and its popularity can be attributed in part to the 1998 Nagano Olympics. It had to overcome some of its bad boy anti-establishment culture reputation by having the snowboard team conform to uniform standards as well as suspend some — less that savory endorsement contracts. Some athletes like Terje Haakonsen just snubbed the Olympics saying, and I paraphrase, the conformity as well as the judging is SUSPECT. We have heard that before. Nevertheless snowboarding is around and is continuing to grow so read this if you want to learn how to snowboard.

Firstly, read. Get all the information your can about safety. Snowboarding especially snowboard tricks leads in outdoor sporting injuries. This statistic is heavily debated but no matter, everyone agrees that the sport is hard on the body. You should also consider your own fitness level and whether or not you feel your body can take the abuse. Approach the sport with an eye for safety and you can minimize injuries. Look into a certified snowboarding instructor. It is well worth the money to capitalize on a certified instructor’s knowledge of the sport and his or her experience.

Then there is the equipment. Snowboards can easily cost more than a $400 to $500 for a good quality board. You also want to invest in the best padding possible. In the beginning when you are on a stiff budget, as we all are, spend more on padding and a better than good helmet. You?ll need them. Also a large discount bottle of ibuprofen or pain reliever of choice. If you cannot extrapolate what that is for then you should not even consider this as you sport du jour.

Consider your weather — that is weather in your hometown or near to you. If you live in Jamaica it might be difficult to get much snowboarding practice in. And yes, I have heard of the Jamaican Bobsled Team. But be realistic! If you don?t live somewhere that you can snowboard then maybe you can sand snowboard. Either way, you will have to devote it takes to practice and practice a lot. Travel time just cuts in on the slope time.

Snowboarding offers different methods and it would behoove you to pick one and stick with it until you excel then move on. Maybe you choose freecarve or freeride at first then move on to freestyle

Video taping your exploits on the slope is a good idea. Trade off with your friend; you tape him/her and he/she will tape you. It is a fantastic way to record your successes on the slopes and to evaluate your technique or lack of. Post them on myspace or youtube. They are sure to be very funny. Mum might want a copy too so that she can see the drain that her money is going down.

Read about snowboard lessons and camps in “Future Snowboarding”. They may hold many in your area and give plenty of snowboarding tips. These magazines can be very helpful. Getting instruction from a variety of trainers is useful as well as learning from other like minded students.

Gearup and hit the slopes. Hope to see you careening by. Be a snowboarding maniac. The sport is here to stay.

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