PAST


It’s hard to pinpoint when snowboarding was invented. Some trace the sport’s origin back to 1929 when M.J. “Jack” Burchett reportedly tried to ride a plank of plywood by securing his feet with clothesline and horse reins. Maybe credit goes to 14-year-old Tom Sims, who, in 1963, created a “ski board” as a woodworking project in school. Two years later Sherman Poppen invented the “Snurfer” as a toy for his daughter. More than half a million were sold in 1966, but they were seen as merely a toy – even though Poppen organized Snurfer competitions, in which future snowboarding pioneer Jake Burton took part. Snowboard teaching didn’t evolve until several years later.


During the 1980s, snowboarding began defining itself and going from an activity enjoyed by a few folks in the backcountry to a surging winter sport that required talent, skill, and attitude.


Regional competitions began to form, videos were starting to be made, and pros like Craig Kelly became legendary. In the spring of 1985, Absolutely Radical became the first magazine exclusively for riders, followed by a second, Transworld, in 1987. In the mid-1980s, ski areas began to allow snowboarders to ride lifts and share the slopes with skiers. By 1985, only 39 of the approximately 600 ski areas in the U.S. allowed snowboards. Regional certifications of snowboarders started at this time. In the mid-to-late ‘80s, the Southwest Snow Surfing Association started a program that allowed snowboarders to get a pass accepted at participating areas in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Nevada.


Finally in 1987, snowboard manufacturers and snowsports areas approached PSIA® with requests to develop training and education programs for snowboard instructors. Te PSIA Board of Directors asked the association’s Education Steering Committee to develop a national program modeled after existing alpine and nordic programs. It was to include educational and training materials as well as a certification process. Te chair of the steering committee, Juris Vagners, was charged with responsibility for coordinating its development. Manufacturers provided initial funding and support for this project.


Development by PSIA started with several informal on-snow meetings at Oregon’s Timberline Lodge Ski Resort. Manufacturer-sponsored riders worked with Vagners to gain an understanding of the American Teaching System® (ATS), the basis for the alpine manuals and certification. In turn, these riders educated Vagners about mechanics of snowboards and riding, as well as the culture of the sport.


TheSnowPros.org INTRODUCTION 13


Former PSIA-AASI Chairman of the Board and AASI Team member Eric Sheckleton in 1998.


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