Timed Writings for Teens

In the mid-1960s, Sherman Poppen fastened 9 two skis together so his daughter could “surf” 18 down a snowy hill at their Michigan home. 27 Coined from the words “snow” and “surf,” the 36 “Snurfer” would eventually evolve into today’s 45 snowboard, and within three decades become an 54 Olympic sport, debuting in Nagano Japan in 63 1998. 64 By the mid 1980s, the sport was popular 73 across the country, but because most of the 82 early snowboarders were adolescent males who 91 sported the sometimes boisterous personalities 100 of adolescent males both on and off the slopes, 110 they received a “cold shoulder” and a rebel 119 reputation from skiers. And, oh, the clothes 128 they wore! Downhill skiing is not only a sport, 137 it is a fashion show on snow! As skiers in 146 their color-coordinated expensive ski finery 155 glided gracefully down the hard-packed snow, 164 the sight of baggy-clothed snowboarders with 173 both feet stuck into a board made style- 181 conscious skiers cringe. Snowboarding was not 190 allowed in many ski areas in the early days, 199 but has since become a sport embraced by young 209 and old alike. Despite its increased 216 acceptance, a few ski resorts still do not 225 allow snowboarding today. 230 In 2000, snowboarding was found to be the 239 fastest-growing sport in the country, just 248 ahead of skateboarding, its “close cousin.” 257 Many snowboarding competitions, both national 266 and international, take place every year 274

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including halfpipe, boardercross, slopestyle, 283 and parallel giant slalom. 289 So much for the history – now let’s 297 compare snowboarding to skiing – two activities 307 that take place alongside one another at ski 316 resorts, but yet are very dissimilar sports. 325 Why snowboard when you can ski? There are a 333 number of reasons, not the least of which is 342 there is less equipment to lug around – a board 352 compared with ski equipment consisting of heavy 362 boots that make walking very difficult, two 370 poles, and two skis. And snowboarding is easier 380 on the body – most of the moves use the body’s 389 large muscle groups, compared with the stress 399 that skiing places on certain areas, such as 408 the knees. Snowboarders also argue that 416 boarding is more fun than skiing. They say the 425 sensation of snowboarding is difficult to 433 describe – it is a freedom of body movement, an 443 addictive experience. Snowboarding is simpler 452 than skiing – and, except for the first two or 462 three days spent learning the sport (tenacity 471 and perseverance required here), it is easier 480 to learn. A novice snowboarder can master the 489 sport in half a season, while it could take 498 years to become a great skier. Also, 505 snowboarders get to wear comfortable shoes. 514 Last, but not least, snowboarding is cheaper. 523 The ease, comfort, and simplicity of 531 snowboarding has won many downhill skiers over 540 to the sport, and for many of them, there’s no 550 turning back. 552

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