Boarder challenges xenophobia

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 542, 28 June 1994, Page 7 (Supplement)

Boarder challenges xenophobia

This is a story about misunderstanding. Misunderstanding which has all too soon cast the sport of snowboarding into the same downward spiral of stereotypical images that surfing has been trying to shake off for decades. Why skiers are regarded as the elite and successful, whilst snowboarders continue to struggle to break the mould of 'lowerclass' members of the public? Those who squabble about who has more 'right' to be on the skifield or which is a 'real' sport, continue to igqore the fact that the mountain belongs to all people. Skifields around the country continue to be dominated by an old school-of-thought which does not embrace snowboarding but 'tolerates' it. Rather than taking the initiative to provide facilities for snowboarders, many skifields would prefer to continue to wait until they have no choice - for fear of offending 'existing customers.' Many skiers believe that the easy answeris segregationof the two sports. Make no mistake, this disturbing trend which is rearing its ugly head throughout America

is nothing but short-sighted. Sure, snowboarders would welcome the provision of some more purpose-built facilities such as a well-maintained half-pipe and a terrain park (and the first North Island skifield to do this would reap the financial rewards - if that is what it takes), but never as a cheap excuse to try to relegate snowboarders to the back blocks. Snowboarding is a positi ve and progressive pastime, deserving both respect from the general public and dedication from the skifields. The bad attitude of many skiers, and snowboarders towards skiers, is only perpetuated by the misunderstanding. Ill-communication - it doesn' t work. Later, Ants. P.S. A plug: if you're a skier suffering from xenophobia, check out BOA - pure snowboard shop for a cure, and if you're a snowboarder suffering from xenophobia, check out Bootworks, Ohakune, for a cure.