Snowboarding is exploding! Due to its excitement and companionship, it has grown in popularity over its 50 year existence. It owes its roots to Sherman Poppen, who invented the forst mass-produced snowboard in 1969 called the Snurfer. It started out as a toy for his daughters but sold over a million units in the first several years. It was made of a single piece of plywood with a rope handle. Over a million Snurfers sold in the first three years.
Snowboarding became more mainstream in the 1970s. Snowboarding competitions started about this time. The first snowboard park opened in South Lake Tahoe, California, in 1982. Extreme snowboarding began in the 1990s, with snowboarders trying new techniques and with its entry into the Winter Olympics in Nagano Japan, in 1998.
Snowboarding is now a prominent winter sport worldwide. It attracts millions of snowboarders who appreciate the ride and the community. It appeals to younger people because of its pleasure and the sense of accomplishment that comes with mastering a trick.
New and interesting technology has made snowboarding ever more popular. Snowboarders can now choose between boards, boots, and bindings that maximize control and comfort. Snowboarders can also practice tricks in various terrain parks.
The sport features some of the greatest athletes in the world today and include Shaun White, Mark McMorris, StΓ₯le Sandbech, Jamie Anderson, and Chloe Kim just to name a few. American snowboarder Shaun White has won three Olympic Winter Games golds. Canadian snowboarder Mark McMorris won gold at the 2018 Winter Olympics. Norwegian snowboarder StΓ₯le Sandbech has many X Games and World Championship medals. Jamie Anderson and Chloe Kim are American snowboarders who won gold in 2014 and 2018 respectively.
