I have heard this snowboard question before, and I am here to answer it today. At what age can your kids start snowboarding? If you ask me, I would start teaching them as soon as they walk.
I bought my niece her first snowboard when she was three. From there we took her to the backyard and to a couple super small hills. We did not take her to a resort. Just find a hill where your kids can pick up a little bit of speed. This will allow them to ride in a very safe environment, and it will let them learn how it feels to have a board strapped to their feet. You will be amazed how well balanced kids are and how fast they catch on to riding the board down the hill.
The most important part is that you make sure your kids are having fun. It should also be fun teaching them how to shred. When they are little you will be pushing them all over the hill which lets you make up all kinds of games and activities to keep their mind into it. I think if you start your kids young there is a good chance you will soon be Boarding the Midwest All Day, Everyday.
With day snowboard passes reaching $40-45, and season passes climbing over $500 dollars, it is hard to see why people love the sport of snowboarding so much. What a lot of people don’t know is that we who love to snowboard find creative ways to board without going to the hill. One way many of us get on the snow more is by getting off the couch, going outside, we pick up a shovel, and build ourselves a backyard snowboard park.
I love creating and building different snowboard obstacles in the backyard, or anywhere else that you can find some open land. One of my favorite hits to build is a simple wall. The only materials you need are a couple saw horses, a 4′X8′ piece of plywood, and a little bit of the white fluffy stuff. From there the options are endless, and the the tricks you can preform are amazing. This winter get off your butt and go for it. I have just given you one of the best ways to Board the Midwest All day Everyday!
Before I talk anymore about cable parks and about my 2011 Cable Park Tour. I should fill you in on what a cable park is.
Cable Parks
A simple explanation of a cable park is a body of water where you get pulled by a rope that is connected to a overhead cable. The cable is run by an electric motor which allows multiple people to wakeboard at the same time without the use of a boat. Every rider on the cable can ride until they fall. After they fall the cable will pull the rope around to the next rider, and they will be off and riding in a blink of an eye. Along with getting pulled around the lake by a cable, the lakes are usually littered with obstacles that you can slide, bonk, or hit at your free will. Obstacles come in all variations, and the most common obstacles include sliders and kickers.
If you don’t have a boat and want to learn how to wakeboard, look up a cable park, go there, and ride till your arms fall off. You will never regret it, and everyone can do it. I went to Wake Nation a few days ago, and there was a 60 year old bush whacker out there testing her skills. If she could do it, so can you! The best thing about cable parks: They give us all another way to Board the Midwest All Day Everyday.
Congratulations to Jack H. for answering last weeks blog about Michigan Snowboard Companies. Because he was the smartest and fastest out of the group, he is taking home a brand new Dragon Snowboard Beanie. I hope it keeps your head warm, and thank you for reading jonathantollefson.com.
Two Michigan Snowboard Companies
Marhar Snowboard Co. located on the west coast of Michigan, started a couple of years ago, and is bringing a whole new aspect to riding. These guys are innovative and are building boards with original shapes that have the potential to revolutionize the snowboard industry. Their boards are made with killer materials which I am going to keep secret. If you are interested in a sweet ride, look’em up at www.marharsnowboards.com.
Epix Snowboard Company is located on the eastern coast of Michigan, and has been on the map since early 2000. They design boards that I have seen rode in competitions around the state, and I have recently seen posts of them adding more presses to their shop. From graphics to board construction, Epix will build a board that fits you. Looking for a killer 2010/2011 board to add to your quiver be sure to check Epix out at www.epixsnowboards.com.
I bought my niece her first snowboard when she was three. From there we took her to the backyard and to a couple super small hills. We did not take her to a resort. Just find a hill where your kids can pick up a little bit of speed. This will allow them to ride in a very safe environment, and it will let them learn how it feels to have a board strapped to their feet. You will be amazed how well balanced kids are and how fast they catch on to riding the board down the hill.
The most important part is that you make sure your kids are having fun. It should also be fun teaching them how to shred. When they are little you will be pushing them all over the hill which lets you make up all kinds of games and activities to keep their mind into it. I think if you start your kids young there is a good chance you will soon be Boarding the Midwest All Day, Everyday.
