648783_halfpipe_2.jpgChildren and young people wait eagerly for snow. Once it starts snowing, the snowboards are out. Snowboarding is one of the most popular winter sports.

Snowboarding is a most enjoyable winter sport. Like every other sports this game has some risks involved that you should know about. Take some precautions to avoid the danger involved and it really will become a fun game. It will be a great spoilsport if you go snowboarding to have fun and return instead with your leg broken or with your wrist sprained.

To enjoy this game you should be healthy and in shape. Any sports need you to be in shape, as it needs stamina and strength. Your muscles should be strong to avoid any injuries.

The clothing that you select while going for snowboarding should be in layers and appropriate. The cloth should not act as a hindrance; it should allow you to move about without restraint.

To avoid any muscle pull or injury, you should spend some time for warming up and cooling down. You can do this by stretching your body and practicing the sports on a lower key.

Very common injury that the people get practicing this sport is injury in the wrists. Falling while snowboarding is very common, and it is a general tendency while falling is to extend one’s hand to support ourselves and to stop from falling. To avoid injuring the wrist, you should wear a wrist guard. The second most common injury is head injuries. Head injury is very dangerous and may even claim ones life. To prevent this you should wear a helmet.

Proper fitting equipments are as important as having equipment. The equipment, which does not fit you properly, will increase the risks of accidents. While using ski boots use multi-mode release bindings to prevent the danger of ankle and foot injuries. Along with this, you should also wear gloves, masks and boot warmers.

There are rules in every sport. Here are 10 FIS Rules for Conduct for Safety in Winter Sport, which should be followed:

1. Respect for others
A snowboarder should respect others and take care not to put them in any sort of danger or show any intolerance towards anyone.

2. Control of speed and skiing or snowboarding

A snowboarder must maintain a safe speed. The speed should be such that can be kept in control. Speed also will depend on the weather conditions, number of people in the vicinity and his own capability.
 
3. Choice of route
A snowboarder should have a proper route planned out, his choice of route be such that he does not put other snowboarders in danger and thus causing accident.
 
4. Overtaking
A snowboarder can overtake other snowboarder but in the approved way i.e., leaving enough room for the other snowboard to move aside safely.

5. Entering, starting and moving upwards
A snowboarder while starting his run, stopping and then re-entering the track should look up and down the slope to avoid any accidents.

6. Stopping on the piste
Unless there is an emergency, a snowboarder should never stop on the narrow track or at the dark location. If you fall in such place, move away from the track at the earliest to avoid the collision with the people snowboarding on the same track. 

7. Climbing and descending on foot
A snowboarder walking on the slopes should not use the track.

8. Respect for signs and markings
A snowboarder must respect all signs and markings.

9. Assistance
Every snowboarder has to assist other people if there is an accident.

10. Identification
Every snowboarder and witness should share each other’s identity in case of accident.

If the above tips are followed properly, you will have fun and will be safe. You will plan for such fun sport for next year too.