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Snowboarding
A winter sport that has exploded in popularity is snowboarding. Combining the speed and excitement of skiing with a special grace of its own, snowboarding is officially all the rage. At the turn of the millennium, it became the sport with the highest number of new practitioners in the United States.
While the sport has developed hugely since its early days, it's not as super new as you might imagine. Americans first discovered snowboarding back in the sixties. It's now recognised as an Olympic sport. In fact there are a number of different types of competition. For example, slopestyle, halfpipe and parallel giant slalom are some of the most common. The latter two were both represented at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City in 2002.
The essential difference from skiing is that instead of propelling yourself over the snow balanced on two long thin platforms, you skate over the snow on one wider piece. Many practitioners learn to perform complicated leaps and turns more familiar to skaters. Some even go so far as to jump from helicopters before shooting down slopes at breath taking speeds. It might be an idea to consider taking lessons before attempting this however!
Qualified instructors can cater for beginners as well as those seeking to develop their skills. An outdoor sport that offers great excitement and fun, it can be practiced by all ages. Injury, particularly to knees, is not uncommon however so it is advisable to exercise caution and not attempt slopes for which you are not yet prepared.
A great way to get the most out of winter, this sport is also an excellent form of exercise as it helps to build strength and stamina. It requires considerable energy and helps to burn off those calories. It also increases the capacity of your heart and lungs reducing the chances of you developing heart disease. It will develop your balance and coordination as well as your sense of adventure.
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