Skateboards & Snowboards
Skateboarding and snowboarding are two very popular physical activities, especially amongst young people, but they are not restricted to an age bracket. Even though they are considered as an individual sports, skateboarding and snowboarding are activities that bring people together. The skater and the snowboarder challenge themselves or others in performing new tricks and perfecting their skills.Skateboards were first seen in the streets in the 1950’s. They were ‘invented’ by children who modified their scooters by removing the vertical part of their toy, leaving them with a wooden board on wheels. In 1959, the first skateboards were produced for the market. Skateboarding gained widespread popularity also thanks to surfers who took to the streets and started calling this activity sidewalk surfing.
The skate has three main parts which are the deck, (also called the board), the trucks and the wheels. The deck is made of various layers of wood pressed and glued to each other. This process gives added support to the board and allows the skater to perform tricks. Usually, skaters prefer boards that are made out of maple wood because it’s flexible.
There are three types of skaters: ramp, street and pool. Some of the basic techniques that are still used in skateboarding were invented in empty pools. The skateboards used by these categories vary in size. The pool and the ramp skaters use boards which are usually 1.5 inches wider than those utilized by the street skaters because they carry out their activities at a high speed and the wider surface of the deck helps them maintain their balance. While there are skate parks which are built on purpose for skateboarding, street skaters practice their sport on handrails and stairs.
Skateboarding can be dangerous and appropriate protective gear such as a helmet and knee caps should be worn to prevent injuries.
Whilst skateboarding can be carried out throughout the year, snowboarding is a Winter sport. It is another type of surfing, but is carried out on snowy slopes and it saw its beginnings a few years after skateboarding. The ancestor of today’s snowboard, which was called snurfer, made its first appearance in the 1960’s.
Warm clothing, gloves and headgear are necessary in snow and such items can be purchased individually. However, snowboarding equipment can be expensive, so to start snowboarding, it is customary to initially rent a snowboard and a pair of boots. The board should be chosen according to the height, weight and physical ability of the individual. Almost every ski area offers rentals of snowboards and instructors are available to impart the first lessons. The materials used in producing modern snowboards are the same as similar as those used in skis.
The snowboard’s main part is a deck with holes where the bindings are secured to the board. The snowboard and the snowboarder are united when the boots are strapped in the bindings. To release oneself from the board, the boots have to be unfastened.
There are different types of boards which are used for the different styles of snowboarding styles (also called riding styles). The styles are freestyle, free riding, racing and alpine riding. Freestyle snowboards are divided in two categories which are the half pipe boards and the slope style boards. Racing and alpine riding boards are stronger and longer than the boards used in free style or free riding, because they are used at higher speeds.
Boots are also important equipment. Snowboarding with skiing boots is not suggested because they don’t offer enough mobility and can be uncomfortable. Soft and hard boots are both used to snowboard. Soft boots are more flexible than the hard shelled ones and are ideal for freestyle boarding. Hard boots offer support to foot and ankle and are more suitable for high speed snowboarding.
Physical fitness is a requirement for snowboarding, because it is a tiring sport, but age is not important. Snowboarding offers hours of fun in a beautiful environment and it is an experience worth trying and repeating.