You want to learn snowboarding and enjoy this cool sport, but don't know how to get started? Snowboarding is not that easy. It would help if you had courage and assertiveness to keep learning to snowboard and fall over the snow over and over again.
This article will discuss why snowboarding is hard to learn, what gear and clothes you need to get started, tips for beginners, and the most common mistakes.
1. Is Snowboarding Hard? Here Are the Answer
Snowboarding is quite a problematic type of sport, but it all depends on the person and their attitude. Many people try snowboarding, find it hard, and give up on the very first day. But others keep learning and fall in love with snowboarding in a few days.
Who will find it more comfortable? People with good physical shape who are naturally coordinated and balanced. Also, people who are fit and strong in the core.
Your progression as a beginner heavily depends on the competence of your coach and your determination.
2. What Do I Need for Snowboarding?
So, you decided to become a snowboarder, and you are wondering what clothes and equipment you may need to begin.
Wearing the right clothes on the mountain goes beyond just a matter of fashion. Your closing should keep you warm but not too warm. You need to wear lawyers that you can strip off anytime and yet stay comfortable.
Check out the following suggestions on how to dress for comforter snowboarding:
1. Polypropylene or cotton socks to wick moisture away from your feet;
2. Long underwear bottoms, preferably waterproof;
3. Thick wool or non-cotton specific socks that you wear over thin socks;
4. Tight long-sleeved underwear top for moisture-wicking;
5. Another lawyer over the long underwear bottoms, like sweatpants when there are icy conditions;
6. Fleece or wool sweater;
7. Fleece or polyester beanie hat.
Once you have all the warm clothes, you also need some specific snowboarding gear, such as:
1. Waterproof or water-resistant snowboarding jacket;
2. Snowboarding or ski gloves;
3. Water-resistant ski or snowboarding pants;
4. Snowboarding boots (it's essential to keep your feet warm on the mountain);
5. Goggles or sunglasses.
Also, don't forget about the safety gear:
1. Helmet;
2. Knee pads;
3. Wrist guards;
4. Butt pads;
5. Stomp pad.
3. Tips for First Time Snowboarding
In this paragraph, we are going to share a few tips for newbies in snowboarding.
Falling
As we mentioned safety gear above, it should make it straightforward for you that you are going to fall many times. The first thing you need to learn with your instructor is how to fall correctly.
Butt pads are recommended because your feet are fixed on the board and, unlike skies, snowboarders fall right on their butt.
Find Your Coach
Whether you have tried skies before or it's your first time on the board, lessons are dramatically helpful for learning new skills.
Unfortunately, even experienced friends or family members may not have enough patience to get you through the basics. That's why it's essential to find a good instructor. A coach will literally hold your hand and help you to master one skill at a time.
Rent Before Buy
It may be evident for some people, but it's necessary to mention that you need to rent equipment before buying. Don't let excitement for snowboarding drop a lot of money on equipment.
First, you may not know all the pieces of gear that you need. Second, after at least a few days of experience, you would better understand what to buy and what gear you don't need. You can easily rent all the necessary equipment, such as a board, boots, helmet, bindings, and goggles for $20-$40 per day on any ski resort.
Scary Ski Lift
One of the most common scares about snowboarding is about ski lifts. Snowboarders are having their lead foot strapped in while the other foot is free.
For some people, the board's weight on one foot may be uncomfortable while you go on the hill. But don't worry, the coach will explain how to get on and off the ski lift. If you fall when you are going off, the lift will be stopped and no one gets hurt. You'll have time to get back on your feet and move away from the lift.
4. Mistakes to Avoid for First Time Snowboarder
Learn the most common mistakes beginners are making. When you begin snowboarding, there is a lot to learn, and I hope these tips will help you learn snowboarding in terms of progress faster.
1. Leaning too far onto your back foot when going for a turn. It makes a turn almost impossible, and you end up sliding around on your tail, falling over. You can fix this to take your hand and reach down towards the snow in front of your board. This will get your weight forward, and the turn will come smooth and nice, and your weight will be balanced.
2. Trying to turn your board too quickly. It's understandable because you know you want to make a turn fast when you are riding down the slope. But when you are doing it too quickly, your body gets all twisted up, and you fall down. You can fix it by making your turn bigger. Try to control your speed at the start of the turn and let your board go straight and flat down. Control your speed on the new edge, and this way, you'll turn really easy.
3. Bent back on the toe turn. You are leaning your bodyweight too far over the snow. This can make you fall over the snow. Simply do your toe turn with your knees bent, straight back, and hips centered over your board. So, when you start doing a toe turn, you put pressure on your toes with your ankles and turn your head and chest to the top of the mountain.
Conclusion
When you get started snowboarding, you may keep your upper body tense all day long, but it does not make this type of sport any easier. It all comes with practice. So, just relax, and keep trying.
