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Technology’s Effect on Snowboarding
Progress is the movement toward a goal or to a further or higher stage. In snowboarding
technological advances has allowed it to progress into the widely accepted sport it is today.
With
a passion for surfing mixed with his love for skiing, Jake Burton created what is now
known as
the first snowboard ever. What he did not realize was that his idea would soon sweep the
world
off its feet and start a new movement. As the years went on, many aspects changed such as
materials used to build boards which are now lighter and more flexible than wood. Tractors
are
used to help build half pipes for occasions such as the superpipe contest in the X games.
There
are even boards made to accommodate toddlers wanting to learn how to even stand on the
sideways plank. “It is amazing how much both the snowboarding sport and the
snowboarding
equipment have evolved in such a short period. From the humble start in the backyard of a
Michigan home, to becoming a highly developed sport with very technical gear, the
snowboard
has an amazing history (Goguen)." As these changes have helped evolve the sport, it is a
fact that
technology has allowed snowboarding to evolve from an unaccepted past time to the world
renowned sport it is.
As a college student in 1977, Burton was experimenting with ideas and soon started the
trend, lifestyle, and sport we all know as snowboarding. With his love for the mountain as
a
skier, and his passion for surfing he found a strong interest in a toy called the Snurfer. The
Snurfer was a sled which allowed people to stand on it like a surfboard with a rope
attached to
the nose for control. Burton however wanted to perfect this toy and make the experience
more
like surfing. He tested prototypes, experimenting with building materials–ash, marine
plywood,
fiberglass, surfboard foam–and generally burned through his money. Finally settling on
horizontally laminated wood, Jake was convinced his prototypes were dialed in (Jake
Burton
Carpenter Interview). Soon after this project was released to the public and the future of
snowboarding would begin.
With high expectations, he unveiled his boards at a sporting-goods trade show in the fall
of ’78. Burton had the distinction of being the only snowboard maker at the show, and
when all was said and done he took orders for six boards–four of which were eventually
cancelled. He sold two lousy boards. Burton Snowboards had officially arrived
(Massoff).
Even though his attempt to market the snowboard was a failed attempt, he still stuck with
