| Snowboarding is basically surfing but on snow rather | | | | them last and save you from further costs, it's best |
| than on water. Snowboarding started around the | | | | that you take care of them well. Maintenance is |
| 1960's but really made itself known with its debut at | | | | always the key when you own valuable items. |
| the 1998 Winter Olympic Games in Japan. Since then | | | | Snowboards need regular tuning to enjoy them for |
| it has become one of the fastest growing sports | | | | many seasons and maximize your experience in this |
| with over 7 million people participating in the United | | | | ultimate winter sport. You have to take care of your |
| States alone. | | | | gear especially when the winter season comes to an |
| Snowboarding is a winter sport and is therefore | | | | end. Not being able to maintain it well may only result |
| difficult to participate in at any other time due to lack | | | | in poor performance or early deterioration of your |
| of snow. There are many ski resorts that now have | | | | board. |
| slopes that are for snowboarding only so for those | | | | But before you try to do anything yourself, we |
| interested in trying out snowboarding ski resorts are | | | | share some tips that will give you helpful information |
| a good place to start. | | | | on what parts of your board require special care and |
| The main equipment that you will need for | | | | whether it's time you should bring them to the shop |
| snowboarding is the board itself, snowboard boots | | | | and be professionally maintained. Of course, doing the |
| and snowboard bindings. Of course you should also | | | | basic maintenance yourself can save you money and |
| wear a good quality helmet and gloves. You can rent | | | | you can do it without the use of many specialized |
| this equipment at ski resorts if you want to try out | | | | tools. However, if you want to smoothen the |
| the sport before purchasing any equipment. It is | | | | snowboard's base, never attempt to do it alone as a |
| actually a good idea to rent the equipment first | | | | specialized grinder is the only tool that can do the |
| anyway to find out which brand and size is best | | | | work. |
| suited for you. Look for my latest article about | | | | Clean is in |
| snowboard sizing. | | | | Cleaning the board is the first important step any |
| The main styles of snowboarding are 'freeride' and | | | | snowboarder should take. Grime and dirt are most |
| 'freestyle' with 'freecarve' also being quite popular. | | | | likely to build up on your board so make sure that |
| Freeride | | | | you get rid of them at the end of the winter season. |
| This is the most common style of snowboard riding | | | | The best product to use is a citrus cleaner because it |
| and probably the easiest. It is the style that you | | | | not only takes away dirt but also removes any dead |
| want to be doing if you are a beginner as it is simply | | | | wax from the base. All you have to do is just apply |
| just riding down a mountain. Whether it is the mildest | | | | the cleaner and use a clean cloth or rag to get rid of |
| of slopes or the steepest of slopes if you are just | | | | dirt or any residue. |
| doing a straight ride down the slope then it is a | | | | Check the edge |
| freeride. | | | | After cleaning, check your board to find out if there |
| A rider however can use some tricks while riding | | | | are certain portions that need fixing. Look carefully at |
| freeride if he chooses by using any natural terrain | | | | the edges and the base. If the edges appear to be |
| that may be on the slope he is riding on. | | | | dull or burred, they need to be filed to keep them in |
| When riding freeride riders will usually have a soft | | | | good shape. |
| boot and the snowboard itself will often be longer | | | | As for the base, if you see any minor damage, you |
| with stiffer flex, this is to ride effectively on any | | | | can easily fix it with a tune-up kit that should include |
| type of snow condition you may encounter. | | | | a p-tex candle. However, if you're not certain about |
| Freestyle | | | | this, better bring your equipment to a snowboard |
| The freestyle style is when the rider uses man made | | | | shop and have it tuned up. |
| obstacles such as boxes, jumps, half pipes, quarter | | | | Wax to the max |
| pipes, rails and more. They will use these objects to | | | | Once you've seen that your board in is in good |
| perform tricks such as aerial or jib tricks. | | | | condition, it's time to apply a new coat of wax. The |
| The usual stance used in freestyle is the 'duck foot' | | | | things you will need at this stage are a scraper, iron |
| stance which is when the back foot is facing the | | | | and wax, preferably an all-temperature wax. Any iron |
| back end of the board. Freestyle riders usually use a | | | | will do but there are irons specially made for waxing |
| shorter board that has additional flex. | | | | a snowboard. |
| Freecarve | | | | Now, while using the iron, apply a thick coat of wax |
| Freecarve or race is the style of snowboarding is | | | | on the base and make sure that it covers not only |
| used mainly for racing and carving. There is very little | | | | the base but the edges as well. Then scrape the |
| jumping if any with freecarve style as it generally | | | | wax from the base and the edges. The wax here |
| focuses on carving. | | | | serves to prevent the board from drying out and the |
| Whatever style you prefer to use many resorts will | | | | edges from getting rusty while it is being stored. |
| be offer the appropriate slopes for you. Many | | | | Proper storing |
| resorts now have parks with rails and halfpipes for | | | | Your snowboard together with your gear should be |
| those wishing to performs some tricks. | | | | kept in a cool dry place during the hot summer |
| Snowboarding is becoming a very popular sport | | | | months. As much as possible, don't store them in the |
| among men and women of any age so be careful if | | | | basement. Boots that are the soft type should be |
| you are trying it out you may soon be hooked. | | | | properly cleaned and should be applied with foot oil |
| Let's Move On To Tips In Taking Care Of | | | | to maintain its softness. |
| Snowboarding Equipments | | | | Following these tips is a sure way to have durable |
| Frequent snowboarding can take its toll on your | | | | and long lasting snow boards. So, keep them in mind |
| boards as well as other gears. In order to make | | | | and have a great experience with snowboarding. |