Snowboarding is an exhilarating winter sport that involves aerial jumps and high-speed maneuvers. Most snowboarding resorts offer specialized slopes that have been tailored to the needs of young riders. Although novice boarders might feel intimidated at first, there are a few training exercises that will aid in the learning process. Children can begin to learn the basic snowboarding techniques at an early age. The outdoor specialists at REI recommend a flexible all-mountain snowboard for children, as it offers increased maneuverability.
Step 1
Wear a youth snowboarding jacket that features an internal layer of insulation. Don a pair of kid's snowboarding pants made of a breathable yet waterproof material. Insert your hands into a pair of gloves or mittens before heading to the slopes.
Step 2
Slide your feet into a pair of snowboarding boots and tie the laces. Select a youth model snowboard that features a twin tip design and centered bindings. Choose a beginner snowboarding course that features a mellow slope.
Step 3
Lower your board onto the snow horizontally with the bindings facing up. Place your lead foot into the binding located toward the front of the snowboard. Fasten the binding straps around your boot.
Step 4
Place your opposing foot into the rear binding and secure the retention straps. Stand in a stationary position with your chest pointing toward the bottom of the beginner slope. Lean forward to allow your snowboard to slide.
Step 5
Bend your knees and extend your arms as the snowboard slides forward. Apply downward pressure with your heels to decrease the momentum of your snowboard. Perform this side-slipping technique to get comfortable using the heel-edge of your snowboard.
Step 6
Rotate your shoulders 90 degrees while pointing the nose of the snowboard down the slope. Keep your body weight evenly distributed between the front and rear binding as you begin to ride forward. Apply downward pressure with your toes to turn the snowboard.
Step 7
Shift your body weight between the heel and toe edge of the snowboard to traverse the beginner slope. Rotate your snowboard to a horizontal position as you reach the bottom of hill. Practice these elementary techniques until you feel comfortable on the board.
Things You'll Need
- Insulated snowboard jacket
- Snowboard pants
- Gloves/mittens
- Snowboard boots
- All-mountain snowboard
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