What was Snowboarding Inspired By?

If you've ever wondered what inspired snowboarding, you are not alone. There are a number of reasons. Some people credit freestyle riding, the Lillehammer Olympics, or the invention of the snowboard by Sherman Poppen. Others credit Shinzo Tanuma's design. Whatever the case, the popularity of snowboarding has grown in recent years.

Shinzo Tanuma's Design

When the snowboarding culture was taking off in the late 70's, Shinzo Tanuma was pursuing his dream to surf on snow. His original Snowstick prototype was tested in Akakura Onsen ski resort in Niigata, Japan.

In 2007, Shinzo Tanuma re-introduced his iconic Snowstick to the world. He stayed true to his mission and has been developing the board since then.

Snowboarding was gaining popularity in North America and Europe by the 1980s. In the US, the New School movement was in full swing. This style was defined by its aggressive progression, powerful riding styles and endless variety of terrain.

A few brands influenced the style. Moss Snowstick and Gentemstick, both Japanese, were pioneers in the snowsurfing scene. Their snowsticks enabled riders to do full-rail carving maneuvers on the snow. They also helped to establish the Japan Snowsurfing Association.

Moss Snowstick first produced its boards in 1979. It was the first snowboard to feature fixed hard bindings. These bindings were inspired by the release plates used on skis.

Sherman Poppen's Invention

A snowboard is the result of an innovative toy invented by Sherman Poppen of Muskegon, Michigan in the mid-1960s. It was the first commercialized toy of its kind, and it sold thousands of units.

Poppen's invention was also one of the earliest known prototypes of a snowboard. He created the device by bolting together two skis and tying them with a rope. In the process, he named the board Snurfer, after his wife.

Sherman Poppen was a lifelong skier. When he turned 65, he decided to quit skiing and become a snowboarder. During his lifetime, he was able to see the sport progress from the backyard to the Olympics.

Poppen's Snurfer is widely considered the precursor to modern snowboarding. The device is a nifty piece of technology, though it doesn't do much in the way of performance.

Poppen's Snurfer was invented in 1965, and it is widely considered the earliest incarnation of a snowboard. It was developed by Sherman Poppen, a Muskegon, Michigan resident who was looking for a way to keep his two young daughters entertained.

Lillehammer Olympics

The Lillehammer Winter Olympics were held in Norway. Organizers of the event sought to showcase the beauty of winter. They enlisted snow-making cannons and created a crystalline white blanket.

As part of their plan, a hockey rink was built inside the mountain. Guests could visit the rink and play with the bobsled on wheels.

The town of Lillehammer was selected as the host of the Games. It was three hours north of Oslo and two hours from the international airports. Organizers said that a compact, inexpensive Games would be ideal. But they needed more slopes.

The town had only hosted the Winter Games once before, in 1952. During that time, the Norwegians caught Alpine skiing fever. In fact, the country has dominated Nordic sports for decades.

When the IOC was looking for a new host city, the locals believed tradition would decide the outcome. After all, Norway's only previous Winter Games were held in Oslo.

When a bid for the 2021 Games was submitted, the town leaders made a convincing case for the Olympic impetus. While the town's plan never materialized, its leaders convinced the IOC.

Freestyle Riding

Freestyle riding is a style of snowboarding that uses natural features to perform tricks. Typically, it's performed on a shorter, more flexible board that's designed for rails. The board is usually twin-tipped, meaning it allows riders to ride both ways after spinning.

While freestyle is rooted in skateboarding, it also draws on other forms of mountain sports. In addition to snowboarding, freestylers often enjoy mountain biking and trekking.

Freestyle riders typically wear a baggy and colourful outfit. They also listen to music that their parents hate. When they're not on the slopes, they might go BMXing or skating.

Freestyle snowboarding was originally introduced during the 1988/89 season. It was a reaction to the ski-centric model of snowboarding. Unlike traditional skiing, freestyle emphasizes tricks rather than speed. Rather than competing in races, competitive freestylers are judged on their height and technical ability.

Most modern ski resorts have terrain parks dedicated to freestyle. These parks are not just a place to ride, they're also a playground for tricks. To prepare for a session in a terrain park, freestylers should research the area ahead of time to find out which features are best for learning new tricks.