Who Invented Snowboarding?

By Jessy Faraday
It’s always great to hit the slopes! But did you ever consider who was the first person in history to ever feel the joy of snowboarding?  Of course, the roots of snowboarding are several centuries old. Though we’ve got snowboard storage racks today, we know for sure that the modern development of snowboards was originated before the 1960s.  I’ve gathered some facts about some of the inventors of the snowboard:

4 Skateboard Storage and Display Racks Under $20

By Kyle Beck     

    Finding the perfect way to store and display your skateboard when you're not riding can be a hassle, and it can get expensive. Some display setups are going for $50 or more dollars...I don’t know about you, but that’s a lot of money to display something that I use frequently. Some display setups require you to remove your trucks, which often isn't a practical skateboard storage solution. 

The holidays have passed and we are finding our wallets emptier than usual, so I’m going to give you 4 skateboard display solutions for $20 or less.

Wood Paddleboard Storage Rack | SUP Display Rack

If you got a new standup paddleboard for Christmas or the holidays, or if you've had some SUPs but realize you need to take better care of them, check out this functional and affordable wooden paddleboard rack option for storing your paddleboards. 

3 Reasons Why I Surf - And Why You Should Too

By Natasha Hamilton

Surfing is woven into my DNA.  That might sound a bit dramatic, but it’s true.  Ask any surfer who has been surfless for longer than two weeks if their body feels healthy...

In Riding Giants, Laird Hamilton compared surfing to dragon slaying.  I humbly have to agree.  There are big majestical dragons with gem encrusted bellies and there are small quick dragons that can knock you off your feet.  Each time you pull your board off your surf rack, you are embarking on an adventure of epic proportions.   

There are tons of reasons why you should surf.  Here's 3 reasons why I do:

(1) Each wave has its own story

(2) Riding down the face of a wave is a spiritual experience

(3) Surfing melts away stress

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays - from StoreYourBoard

From everyone here at StoreYourBoard, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holidays!  Take some time off and relax and enjoy yourself, or take advantage of some days off to hit the slopes or maybe a trip down to the Caribbean to catch a couple of warm-water waves! 

Whatever you choose, remember, Santa is always watching - and surfing, skating, wakeboarding, snowboarding and skiing!  Great powder at the North Pole!

-Josh, Carli, Ashley, Nathan, Andrew and Mike

How to Buy Your First Snowboard

By Megan Maxwell

       This is finally the year you are going to get on the slopes and learn how to snowboard! While learning how to board is in itself an exciting and painful experience, finding the right snowboard can be equally as challenging. Buying your first snowboard may seem like a daunting task, but you just have to remember a few basics to make the experience easier.

Professional Snowboarders Killing It: Austin Hironaka, Scott Stevens and Corbin Clement

By Taylor Foster

For this article I just wanted to have some fun and find an excuse to watch some snowboarding videos and share some awesome riders with all of you.  Here's 3 guys who are absolutely tearing it up in the video world and proving you don’t just have to worry about winning contests - you should be out there having a good time.

(1) Austin Hironaka 

(2) Corbin Clement 

(3) Scott Stevens

Photo: Darcy Bacha

How to Paddle Out in Big Waves and Surf

By Natasha Hamilton

It’s the morning you’ve been anticipating, the surf forecast says the surf is firing off the local  buoy at 12 feet every 15 seconds.  Time to grab your board off your surf rack and go!  

But once you get to the beach, you realize that 12 foot waves mean 12+ foot white water.  Because waves are a transfer of energy from wind; the stronger the wind, the larger the surf.  How are you suppose to paddle out through all that soup?    

Peaks

The 3 most important things to ask yourself:  

• Where are the peaks - Is there a channel?  
• Which way is current going?
• How much time in between sets?

These questions usually can be answered in 10 seconds and will save you serious time and energy. 

3 Things I Learned Surfing El Nino 57 Days in a Row

By Dave Pascoe

With January approaching and the Southern California swell finally beginning to pick up, frustrated Santa Barbara surfers are finally getting their fix. Flat spells hit every summer, when swells are blocked by the Channel Islands and parts of the Pacific turn into a lake. After such a long stretch of nothing but ripples, I can’t help but think back to the amazing El Niño winter in 2009 when I surfed 57 days in a row.

At the time, I was a freshman in college, recently relocated from the frigid waters just north of San Francisco and basking in my newfound proximity to what have become some of my all-time favorite breaks. To celebrate my good luck and the seemingly tropical temperatures - at least compared to what I was used to back at home - I made it a point to catch at least three waves every single day during UCSB’s winter quarter, and I almost made it. 

3 Things I Learned from Surfing 57 Days in a Row:

3 Things that Cause Skateboard Wobbles and How to Fix Them

By Kyle Beck

So you’ve been progressing in your riding, hitting bigger hills, gaining more speed, and you’ve found yourself face to face with the bane of the longboarder’s existence: Speed Wobbles. 

Photo Credit

Speed wobbles are a complicated phenomenon that happen when the board begins to oscillate back and forth, which can happen naturally based on many factors such as wind, draft, and the surface you are riding on. So how does a rider deal with this dreaded phenomenon? There are many different methods, and I will explain a few of them.

4 Tips to Keep Your Surfboards Safe When Traveling | Packing Surfboards

By Zac Heisey

A well known-fact among traveling surfers: airline baggage handlers don’t surf. If they did, there wouldn’t be so many bummed surfers arriving at their destination only to find their quiver smashed, thrashed, and destroyed beyond repair. Fortunately for surfers looking to expand their cultural horizons – and their wave options – a whole host of tips exist to help ensure that their boards stay safe from the surf rack to the beach.

How to Change Your Skateboard Wheels and Trucks

By Kyle Beck

So you’ve been skating for a while now and you’re starting to get pretty good, only problem is those trucks on your board are worn down from grinds, and your wheels are so worn it feels like you’re riding on ice. Changing trucks and wheels can be a little bit of a daunting task for a beginner, so I’m going to walk you through the process step by step so you minimize downtime and get back out to the important stuff...riding!

  

ASP World Tour 2013 Season Recap: Mick Fanning vs. Kelly Slater

By Andrew Sachs
2013 ASP World Tour Season Recap: the 2013 season of the ASP surfing world tour will go down in history as a season as dramatic and exciting as any other, with an epic, year-long, back and forth battle between Kelly Slater and Mick Fanning that was only settled by Mick's last-minute heroics in his Round 5 and Quarterfinal heats at the last event of the season, Pipeline, that clinched him the title.  Kelly's 3 event wins in pumping conditions (Bell's, Cloudbreak, Pipe) topped Mick's 1 contest win (poor conditions, France), but Mick was Mr. Consistency, reaching the quarterfinals or better in 9 of 10 events.  The question is: should the most consistent surfer earn the world title or the one who wins the most in the best conditions?

Kelly Slater Wins Pipe Masters 2013 | Mick Fanning Claims the ASP World Title

By Andrew Sachs
Mick Fanning claimed his 3rd ASP World Title yesterday at the Pipe Masters in pumping 10-12 foot Pipeline on a day that will go down in surf history because of the near-perfect conditions and also because of Mick's remarkable last minute heroics in both Round 5 and the Quarterfinals, turning 2 near-certain heat losses into wins, and keeping Kelly Slater from his 12th title.

Mick Fanning - 2013 world champ

How to Stay Warm on the Slopes - Skiing and Snowboarding Tips

By Jessy Faraday

It’s that wonderful day out on the ski slopes you've been waiting for! Oh yes, you want to enjoy every bit of it, but can you beat the extreme cold?

Photo Credit

What to Pack for Your Next Ski or Snowboard Trip

By Taylor Foster

For most of us winter vacation is coming up, that means many of you will be planning a trip up to the mountains for some fun on the slopes. There’s no reason for you to get to the mountain and realize that you’re not prepared and you’ve forgotten a crucial piece of gear, so I’ve set up a packing list at the bottom of this article to make sure nothing gets left behind. Trust me, no matter your experience level we’ve all had that time where you forgot to pack that one piece of gear back at home...

"Image courtesy of [Evgeni Dinev] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net"

4 Reasons You Should be Wearing a Ski Helmet This Ski Season

By Jessy Faraday

You're all set to hit the snowy slopes this winter, and it is definitely the right time to show off your best skiing moves. But wait! Are you wearing your ski helmet? Don't think helmets are for kids only. Now that ski enthusiasts are becoming more aware of the risks of injuries and accidents associated with skiing, even the best skiers never hit the slopes without their helmet. Still thinking why you should have one? The following reasons will tell you why your ski helmet is one of the most essential equipment items you will need to keep in your ski storage lineup:

Photo Credit

How to Ollie on a Snowboard

How to Ollie on a Snowboard

Similar to skateboarding, one of the first tricks you want to attempt on a snowboard is the ollie. An ollie is a practical trick that can be used all around the mountain and is the precursor for more advanced tricks.

Is an ollie the same thing as jumping?

No, at first it may appear that an ollie is just someone jumping off the snow with their snowboard. While technically this is true, the difference is HOW you specifically jump off the snow. With an ollie, you don’t jump up with both feet at the same time. Instead, you bring your front foot up first followed by your back foot to do an ollie.

Pipe Masters 2013 | Kelly Slater Looks To Top Mick Fanning for World Title

By Andrew Sachs
After a nearly 2 month hiatus, the WCT is back on and the Pipe Masters, the final event of the season, is going off to determine who will be the 2013 world champ.  It's shaped out to be a battle between Mick Fanning and Kelly Slater, but the odds are stacked up against Kelly.  Anything less than a win by Kelly, and Mick claims his third crown (along with '09 and '07).  And, even if Kelly wins, if Mick reaches the semifinals, he's still the champ.  Like I said, tough odds, but if anyone is up to the challenge to pull victory from defeat, it's Kelly.

Best Colorado Ski Resorts for Beginners

By Allen Glines

Colorado is a part of the country that’s well-known for its culture of winter sports and other recreational activities. When you make a decision to vacation there, you will find that you have your work cut out for you when it comes to picking which resort you want to frequent. Each individual resort exemplifies the best of what people can do when the weather gets cold. You should make an effort to read the reviews about each of these destinations online before you set out on your journey. Below is a list of five of the top ski resorts that you should frequent.

SportTube | Ski and Snowboard Hard Travel Cases

By Andrew Sachs
If you have travel plans over the winter for some ski or snowboard action, you need to check out the SportTube line of ski and snowboard travel cases that we now have available on StoreYourBoard.  These cases will keep your gear safe and secure on your trek for perfect powder days!

Give Art for the Holidays | Mount Skateboard Decks

I was reading the Wall Street Journal on Friday and came across this article titled "Giving the Gift of Art" by Anna Russell (requires log in, dagger!).  It talks about the rise in popularity of art as a holiday present and the different forms of art that you can give.

photo illustration credit: C.J. Burton