Snowboarding Nerves
I have been skiing twice in my life, and not since I was 19. I’m much older than that now. I remember being okay at it, but having no control whatsoever. I have never been snowboarding.
I checked into a condo at Northstar at Tahoe Resort this afternoon, and tomorrow I’m enrolled in my first snowboarding lesson at Northstar’s Burton Academy. I mentioned on Facebook and Twitter and to a bunch of my friends that I’m going to do this, and the replies are pretty much all the same: YOU’RE GOING TO DIE. Uh, thanks for the encouragement, guys.
Seriously, I’m a little freaked. I’m athletic, but not what you’d call coordinated, and I’m pretty much a snow virgin. I’m optimistic that the instructors here have a lot of experience with inexperienced klutzes such as myself and can give me the assistance I need to master snowboarding basics — at the very least, I expect they can keep me from seriously injuring myself. Here’s hoping!
In the last week, I’ve heard everyone’s snowboarding horror stories and warnings of all kinds. It would be nice if someone could volunteer some words of encouragement instead. Tell me about the time you were new to the sport, and you had such an amazing time that you fell in love with it and now you’re an expert. Tell me it’s easy. Tell me you’re sure I’ll have a blast. I really want to be able to tell other newbies the same thing tomorrow, after I try it for the first time.
If nothing else, wish me luck!
January 3rd, 2010 at 3:38 pm
Relax! You’re not going to die you’re just going to fall on your butt a whole alot
Remember to have fun and enjoy the snow even if it takes you a little while to learn, because it’s totally worth it. Having an instructor with you makes a huge difference, you’ll learn much faster.
January 3rd, 2010 at 5:48 pm
You’ll have tons of fun. Just know that even the best of snowboarders start by falling on their asses all the time. I bet you’ll pick it up very quickly. And it’s actually quite difficult to seriously injure yourself.
Being cold or having uncomfortable clothing/boots is a real fun killer though, so dress comfortably and warmly.
January 3rd, 2010 at 8:20 pm
I had a hard time picking this up, but that was in 5th grade… with my self-taught best friend trying to teach me… not exactly a recipe for success
You’re going to have an awesome instructor who really knows what to tell you to do in order to stay up and have fun! I’ve hard great luck sticking my non-skier friends in ski-school, snowboard school has got to be the same!
January 4th, 2010 at 9:03 am
I’m envious – but not likely to try it. I don’t enjoy any sport that involvves cold weather. I’m anxious to receive the next installment on this adventure. No broken bones, please!
January 5th, 2010 at 8:37 pm
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