Terje Haakonsen boycotted the Nagano Olympics because he thought the judging was unfair and that the snowboarded who did participate had "sold out" to the establishment. Nagano is responsible for the wave of interest in the new sport. Snowboarding's addition to the Olympic lineup has helped make a silk purse out of sow's ear and clean up 'boarders defiant reputation without harming their edgy flair. If you are interested in how to snowboard take a look.



To get started in snowboarding I strongly suggest you consider safety first. Ask yourself are you able to take the rigorous demands that this sometimes dangerous sport will ask of you? You might already know that snowboarding tops the list in outdoor recreational injuries. Like any other sport, if not approached with the right attitude can be very dangerous. Learn all you can and get a certified snowboard instructor. Their experience is invaluable.

Make a budget for equipment that is heavy on the protective gear. A sexy new snowboard usually gets all the attention for first timers but don't fall for that. Put your money in quality knee and hip pads, wrist guards, a leash, padding and a substantial helmet. Boards can cost in excess of $400. Use your money protecting yourself from the hazards of the slopes. Also a gnormous supply of ibuprofen. I can't tell you how much this is helpful. If you can't figure it out then you are wack and you shouldn't attempt snowboarding.

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

Have a friend take videos of your progress and you can do the same for him/her. Who knows! Maybe you can be the next Youtube star. It is also a fun way to catalogue your personal progress. It can also be a gift for mom on Mother's Day. Show her what she has been spending all that money on. At first you videos will be very funny since it chronicles more foibles than anything else.

Consider going to a snowboard camp for snowboard lessons. Many are offered in ?Future Snowboarding? magazine and are promoted all over the country and in other sports mags. You can learn a lot from a variety of instructors as well as other participants.

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