A Pocket History of Snowboarding

Snowboarder

Today, we know snowboarding to be one of the most popular events around – from the X-Games to the Olympics, it’s becoming recognized as one of the most thrilling and adventurous ways to enjoy the cold. But is snowboarding really a new phenomenon, and if not, how long has it been around? Let’s examine a brief history of snowboarding to get to the facts.

Believe it or not, snowboarding can’t be traced back further than the 1960’s. Story has it that Sherman Poppen designed a “snurfer” (think “snow” + “surfer”) for his daughter as a present while living in Michigan. The snurfer was manufactured and marketed as a toy the following year.

But despite the fast start and spread of the snowboard, it didn’t originally look like it does today. A rope was attached to the front, helping the snowboarder to steer, and the foot bindings look very different from the attachments that we see today. Throughout the 1970s, the sport was growing and a number of innovators tweaked, invented, and explored new ways to look at the snowboard. Various inventors like Dimitrije Milovich, Jon Roberts, and Pete Matthews all experimented with the design, essentially leading to what would become a modified skateboard – without wheels.

By 1979, the “snurfing” sport was so popular that the world’s first snurfing championship was held in Michigan. In the early 1980s, other innovations were introduced, including the half-pipe, which has its origins in skateboarding. The connection between skateboarding and snowboarding is a frequent theme in the history of snowboarding, as many people will find themselves skateboarding in the summer and snowboarding in the winter.

Although the idea of snowboarding was catching on, snowboarders often found themselves at odds with skiers. In the mid-1980s, only about 7% of ski hills allowed snowboarders to use their snowboards – today, that number is closer to 97%. Many ski hills have hills exclusively for snowboarders, as well, and make provisions for snowboarding accommodations like half-pipes.

With the wider cultural acceptance of snowboarding came more scrutiny and accolade, as top snowboarders like Shaun White became household names. Additionally, these snowboarders can compete at the highest levels of athletic events, including the Olympic Games. With this cultural acceptance comes an even greater variety of innovation and athleticism, further leading to snowboarding development.

Today, snowboarding is mentioned in the same breath with skiing and is considered just as great a way to get outdoors, exercise, and enjoy the winter. Even as you get sick of the cold winter months, you’ll find hordes of snowboarders who wish it didn’t go away – and even some that chase winters and cold temperatures elsewhere!

Photo Credits: visualpanic

Originally posted 2009-07-21 05:23:56.

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