Ruapehu mountain

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 241, 3 May 1988, Page 23 (Supplement)

Ruapehu mountain

Another boarder interviewed got much more out of cruising and shredding to the beat on his walkman, enjoying a slower ride but conforming remarkably well to the undulating terrain. Skiers who want to add to their skills can do it and master it quickly as they already have mountain experience and are used to moving down the fall line and reading the terrain. They will find it to be a new ride altogether. Of course people can learn to snowboard before learning to ski. There are those who would recommend that you do. Novices to the mountain need only learn mountain etiquette just as beginner skiers should. This is the responsibility of the resorts to provide and ensure all clients know. All resorts have information places, it pays to learn the simple rules of safety. So what is the future feasibility of snowboarding in New Zealand? That's easy, fantastic. Snowboards operate very well from hardpack to spring slush and of course revel in powder. When it's icy they can be used but you 11 only find the keenest riders out there, but this is the case with skiing as well. The boards are now readily available either at retail or by mail order and several shops through New Zealand hire them out as well. The sport in New Zealand is young but the gear available is the best in the world. People who get into it now will quickly become the guns of subsequent seasons. In the States, Burton Corporation were invited to put on a special snowboarding symposium at the 1986 National Ski Areas Association Annual meetings. Ski area operators testified that snowboarding creates a new market for ski areas to tap while diversifying the activities offered at the

mountains. Ski areas in the States offering snowboarding is now 250 plus. So far it all seems pretty good. Injury? What do the statistics show about this overseas? To generalise, if you are fit you can go harder at it, same as any sport. Common sense prevails. Check your run out first, get warmed up, don't go beyond the limit of your control etc. A study by Dr

Joseph Shedy of the Rochester Institute of Technology, United States has shown injury statistics to be be in line with skiing. So all sides being weighed up snowboarding seems set to shred for a new wave in New Zealand. We look forward to seeing them up there.