History of Snowboarding

When looking at the history of snowboarding, most people will agree that Jack Burchett was probably the first person to attempt to make a snowboard.  He fashioned a type of sled with a plank of wood and used clothesline and horse reins to secure his feet to the wood.  His efforts at making a snowboard took place in 1929 and it wasn’t until 1965 that Sherman Poppen improved on his design.  Poppen tied two skis together and attached a rope at one end in order to stabilize it for the rider.  He called his invention the Snurfer.

Meanwhile in 1963, Tom Sims had made a ski board for a school shop class.  He continued to develop his ideas and in 1977 produced his first snowboards.  Jack Burton’s contribution to the history of snowboarding is widely recognized.  He continued to improve on the Snurfer and designed the first board with bindings. Jack Burton kept developing snowboards and is credited with creating the first real ski technology for snowboards.