Did Jake Burton Invent the Snowboard?

If you're reading this article, you're probably interested in finding out whether Jake Burton was the inventor of the snowboard. The answer to this question may surprise you. Although the term "inventor" doesn't necessarily imply that a person is the first to invent something, in this case, it does. However, this doesn't mean that Burton wasn't the first to create the snowboard. Rather, his invention is a more complex one, involving the collaboration of several different individuals, including George Burton and Sherm Poppen.

Sherm Poppen

The invention of the snowboarding board, the Snurfer, was a big step forward for both the snow sport and the sport itself. This device was made by Sherm Poppen, a native of Muskegon, Michigan, and his wife Louise.

Originally, "snurfing" was just a fun winter activity to entertain kids. It was not considered a real sport until the late '60s. In fact, Poppen's family lived next door to a dune which resembled a permanent wave.

However, as Poppen's health declined, he was forced to give up skiing. He subsequently converted to snowboarding. Eventually, he moved from his home in Griffin, Georgia to Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

George Burton

The name George Burton Carpenter is well known in the sport of snowboarding. During his life, he was involved in the sport on six continents. He was a founder of Burton Snowboards and is a member of the Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame.

In 1977, the company started out in a Vermont barn. It was in a small, but growing, market and sold a large variety of snow sports gear. However, it didn't break even.

It also became one of the first snowboarding companies to introduce women's apparel. In 1994, the company expanded into children's clothing. Moreover, the company introduced family-friendly instructional programs. This led to a massive expansion of the brand.

McMorris

Mark McMorris is one of Canada's most prominent snowboarders. A pro from Regina, he has a number of notable wins to his name. He is also an innovator in the air. In fact, he set a new gold standard for progression in Big Air.

During his career, he has won a total of 19 medals, including three bronzes. These three podium finishes at the Olympics are the most for a Canadian in a single Olympic Games. McMorris was also the first to win three straight bronze medals in the same individual event.

McMorris first started riding snowboards at age five. He began at Mission Ridge Winter Park near Fort Qu'Appelle in Saskatchewan. Eventually, he moved to Lake Louise and Banff.

Early Days

The early days of snowboarding saw a rebellious attitude, especially in the 80s. Often, these athletes were viewed as drug addicts and looked very different from their ski resort counterparts.

However, the sport was an instant hit. Snowboarding became a worldwide phenomenon in the mid-90s. In fact, it was the fastest growing winter sport in the world.

The sport was officially recognized as a sport by the International Olympic Committee in 1994. At the same time, the International Ski Federation started to recognize snowboarding as a discipline.

Before snowboarding was formally accepted as a sport, it had no mainstream fan base. Many snowboarders had to travel to isolated mountaintops in order to practice. It also did not appear on the public runs of most ski resorts.

Battle With Cancer

Jake Burton, the founder of the snowboarding industry's oldest and biggest company, passed away Wednesday night in Burlington, Vermont. He died at the age of 65 after a long battle with cancer. His wife Donna and three sons are among the mourners.

The snowboarding community has mourned the passing of Burton. It's hard to imagine a world without his spirit. His contributions to the sport are countless. Not only did he lead the charge in popularizing snowboarding and inspiring others, but he also helped turn the sport into an Olympic sport in 1988.

Aside from his contribution to the sport, Jake was a renaissance man. He started a company that sold snowboards to the masses, while at the same time helping to make the sport into a global sensation.

Final Words

A legend in winter sports, Jake Burton was the brains behind one of the sport's most recognizable brands. Founded in 1977 by a young entrepreneur, Burton has grown into an international brand with hundreds of stores worldwide and a billion dollar market value.

Originally, Burton was a snowboarding company based in Vermont. Initially, all of its products were hand cut. Eventually, the company added children's apparel in 1994. Today, Burton has 30 flagship shops across America and 11 in Europe.

Burton was a snowboard pioneer. His company, Burton Snowboards, became a global industry leader and is now a cornerstone of the Winter Olympics. It has a 32% share of the global snowboarding market.