Who Invented Snowboarding and Why?

If you are a fan of the sport of snowboarding, you are probably interested in the history of this popular activity. The article below outlines the history of the sport, from its roots to its place in today's world. In addition, the story of Shaun White's gold medal win in the women's snowboarding event is also covered.

History of the Sport

Snowboarding is a sport that dates back to 400 years ago. It began as a way to get around in deep snow. Eventually it developed into a competitive sport, and today it is a widely popular winter sport. Today, almost every ski resort in the world allows snowboarding.

There are many different types of snowboards. Each one has its own unique features. Those features include the shape, material, and design. Some of the more common styles of snowboards include the snowboard, skateboard, and freestyle. The history of snowboarding is complex, and it covers a variety of different events.

First, let's look at some of the earliest and most important innovations in the sport. In the 1960s, a man named Sherman Poppen invented a snowboarding device. This device was called the Snurfer. He attached a rope at one end of a snowboard to help maintain stability.

Burton Snowboards Founder Jake Burton Carpenter

Jake Burton Carpenter, the founder of Burton Snowboards, has died at the age of 65 after a long battle with cancer. He leaves behind his wife Donna and three sons.

Jake's legacy is vast. He helped establish snowboarding as a mainstream sport and his company has grown to become a $150 million business.

He was a pioneer and innovator who transformed an old ski design into the modern day "snurfer". His Snurfer snowboard was the first commercially available snowboard for adults. But he was also a keen businessman.

He started out working out of a barn in Londonderry, Vermont. Carpenter created prototypes using industrial machinery. In his first year, he sold 300 boards. The next year, he sold 700.

Snurfer Invented by Sherman Poppen

A Snurfer is a type of snowboard. Originally invented by Sherman Poppen, it was the precursor to the modern snowboarding phenomenon. During the early 1960s, a couple of enthusiast surfers decided to create an alternative during the winter. They created a long board and added simple trucks with wheels.

The idea of the Snurfer first came to Poppen in 1965. After testing out his invention, he licensed it to Brunswick Corporation. He sold 750,000 units of the toy. It was rolled out for holiday sales in 1966.

After licensing the Snurfer to Brunswick, Poppen began working with the factory to make the product more durable. The company then manufactured a version for the mass market.

Snurfers Explored the Fringes of Society

Snurfers were the predecessors to modern snowboarding. They are still used today. Although the sport was initially considered a fringe activity, it has steadily increased in popularity over the years.

The original Brunswick Snurfers are rare, and can be bought for $200-300 on eBay. This means that they are highly collectible among modern snowboarders.

In the early 1980s, Soviet riders began adjusting the Snurfer design for better performance. They added a leash to increase maneuverability. Other features that improved performance included the addition of double binding styles.

Poppen sold close to one million Snurfers in the 1970s. He was also the first person to commercialize the snowboard. After his initial success, he sold the idea to Brunswick Corporation.

Shaun White Won the Women's Gold Medal in Snowboarding

Shaun White was the first snowboarder to win three gold medals in the Olympics. He has also won 13 Winter X Games titles, making him the most decorated Olympic snowboarder ever.

The 35-year-old was considered an underdog by many, but he showed why he's a legend. When he took to the halfpipe at the Beijing Olympic Games, he made history. After landing a perfect 100 in the qualifying round, he entered the finals with a chance to win. Despite finishing fourth in the event, he put on a show, landing back-to-back 1440s on his second and third runs.

On his first run, he landed a frontside 1440 to open, and finished with a 37.7. His second run was better, but he didn't land the trick that would have gotten him to the podium. Fortunately, White's third run was better, and he secured the gold medal.

Jibbers Explored the Fringes of Society

If you're lucky enough to spend time at a ski resort in the aforementioned locale, you may be in luck. Alternatively, you could be out in the cold on the outskirts of your home town, and if you have the foresight to put your money where your mouth is, your best bet for a decent shot at a winter wonderland may be a short drive away. Regardless, you're likely to be in the company of other aficionados, if you can get past the snow and ice. So, what are you waiting for? Best of luck! Besides, if you're reading this, you're probably on your way to your local ye olde mountain, and the like.