In light of the snowboarding popularity and many cheap snowboards and deals rampant today, snowboards were relatively unheard of not that long ago and are a relatively recent innovation. Many people look back on the history of snowboarding in an attempt to discover precisely who invented the snowboard. Some people say it dates back to the 1920’s when men would tie boards to their feet and slide down snowy hills. Some people say it was Sherman Poppen with his “Snurfer” toy back in 1965. Some people point to Dimitrije Milovich, who, in 1971, patented a design for a snowboard that was based on modern surfboards. In fact, all of these people, and several more, contributed to the design of modern snowboards!

Today, the snowboard has accelerated to become one of the fastest growing Winter sport in America. At a lot of ski resorts the numbers of snowboarders outnumber skiers many days of the week and definitely on school holidays.

Most people point to the Snurfer as the first modern unique and cheap snowboard. The Snurfer was invented by Sherman Poppen, as a cheap snowboard toy for his daughter. He took two skis, bound them together, tied a rope to the nose which allowed from some contol, and called it done. When his daughter’s friends all asked for one, he decided to patent and sell his Snurfer. It sold very well, and he eventually began holding Snurfer competitions.

While that was happening, Dimitrije Milovich was busy creating his own design for a cheap snowboard that had absolutely nothing to do with the Snurfer. Milovich was a typical college student who got bored one day during a break at his New York college. He took a cafeteria tray, stood on it, and slid down snowy hills. Upon realizing that this could be something one could market, he got together with a surfer by the name of Wayne Stovekin. Together, the two of them created a snowboard design based on a surfboard with metal edges. The design was patented in 1971.

While that was happening, a man named Bob Webber was trying to get a patent for his “skiboard”. He got it in 1972, the same year Milovich dropped out of college to move to Utah. Milovich managed to patent the “Swallowtail” design that year. In 1974, Milovich began making snowboards for commissions. That year, he sold about a hundred of them, and they were featured in magazines and newspapers such as Newsweek, Playboy, and Powder. There were none of the cheap snowboard varieties offering 60% discount in those bygone years.

From there, several other people who were into skateboarding and surfboarding began to pick up the trend. Names such as Jake Burton (who founded Burton Boards, still a successful snowboarding company), Mike Olson, and Tom Sims became known. These men and are still famous today for their contributions to snowboarding design. So, who invented the snowboard? Like so many things, no one person did. Instead, the modern sport known as snowboarding is a conglomeration of the work of multiple people. Today, top brands can be accessed and inexpensive snowboard bindings and cheap snowboard sales on the Internet make it possible for purchases up to 70% off retail price.

Adding comfort to the sport is the art of keeping ones feet and hands dry. Even wearing moisture wicking socks will not keep your snowboarding boots dry. Many snowboarders use air-activated or electric foot warmers. With an electronic foot warmer, choose a model with a side-mounted battery pack that make life more ergonomic and less apt to get banged against chair lifts. Warm hand and feet add a lot to the comfort zone and keep your boots dry rather than damp from sweat.

One should be in good cardiovascular shape and have strengthened back and leg muscles for the snowboarding season. Consider jumping exercises which are good for the legs as well as sit ups for the back. When it comes time to purchase another board, use the Internet for cheap snowboard bargains from top brands, many at up to 70% discounts.