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Snowboarding is a relatively young sport that originates from the U.S. It was developed in the 1960s by an engineer named Sherman Poppen. Since snowboarding is a fun sport, it spread like a wildfire in the US. In 1998, it joined the official range of Winter Olympic Sports. Snowboarding has many styles and tricks that snowboarders perform for the thrill of gliding in the air or cruising through snow. Today we are going to discuss the most common styles performed in snowboarding:
Jibbing
This freestyle snowboarding involves riding or gliding on any other surface than snow. Snowboarders ride different surfaces like metal rails, benches, ledges, walls, logs, boxes and concrete ledges. A snowboard resort park is the best place for jibbing as it is filled with obstacles; however a snowboarder can also do it in an urban environment. Sometimes a snowboarder will perform incidental jibs during snowboarding when he or she comes across a fallen tree or obstacle during their course.
Free-riding
Free-riding is the most common style of snowboarding because it involves riding down different terrain or groomed runs. The rider or snowboarder can incorporate aerial tricks, jibs or deep carve turns depending on what terrain he or she is riding on. Though it might look easy, the snowboarder has to master a number of things such as the ability to ride, jump and carve well, in order to ride on any terrain possible.
Freestyle is different from free riding because a snowboarder is riding man-made terrains like rails, boxes (an object that has a slippery smooth top) and jumps. Apart from riding it, the snowboarder will incorporate a number of tricks while snowboarding. Tricks can involve jibs and aerial stunts.
Free -carve
This is a form of alpine racing in which the snowboarder has to snowboard across a designated course. The course will feature a series of gates, constructed in various combinations. The course is supposed to test the snowboarder's speed, technique and agility. An individual who doesn't clear the gate properly will be disqualified from the race.
Trying out different styles
Snowboarders require different snowboards, equipment and skills for trying and practicing different styles. You will have to consider buying different snowboards for sale, if you intend to learn each style. Take free riding for example. This style requires stiff boots and an all-mountain snowboarding. The all-mountain snowboard is suitable for riding different snow conditions like ice and deep powder.
However while performing freestyle snowboarding, you are required to wear soft boots instead of stiff ones. In addition, you need a snowboard with twin tips (the nose and tail of the snowboard are in the same shape). In freestyle snowboarding you can perform different tricks using different stances like duck foot. In free-carve snowboarding, ski-like hardshell boots are required.
You will also need a directional snowboard that can facilitate you in sharp and fast turns. This is why snowboarders should be very careful when buying their snowboards as it helps them develop their style.
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