Me learning to snowboard

Snowboard helmet standards

New Canadian Alpine Helmet standards are here, learn about them now.

My snowboarding story

I love the snow and as a youngster I grew up on skis however over the last few years I have begun to taken up snowboarding as well. While I know all about the equipment you need for skiing, snowboarding is a different story. Some of the gear you need:

• Boots
• Bindings
• Helmet
• Goggles
• Clothing
• and of course a board

When it comes to a board there are three primary different styles; All Mountain, Freestyle and Carving. But all three types need a small but essential piece of equipment, the snowboard stomp pad.

The snowboard stomp pad is a small, almost insignificant, item that can be easily overlooked but will help you getting on and off the lift like a pro. The top of a snowboard is smooth and slippery especially when wet from snow and ice. When you get off the lift you need to place your back foot on the board to help balance and guide yourself away from the lift. With a bit of practice you can even turn the board with your foot on the stomp pad.

The snowboard stomp pad is usually a rubbery, foam or even metal pad that is attached to your board near your rear binding. When your back foot is unbuckled put your back foot on the stomp pad. Because the stomp pad provides traction your foots does not slide off the board. Remember the base of a snowboard boot is made of rubber and so they stick to the stomp pad.

Snowboarding as a sport allows you to express your individual style whether it is in your clothing, board and even in your stomp pad. The stomp pad can be a plain old piece of rubber to highly colourful grip paper or metal studs.