18 - Wednesday, October 21, 1987 - North Shore News

snowboarder dispeis

ia

dangerous sport myth

SNOWBOARDING IS a= sport suffering from public misconcep- tions that have given the pastime a poor image, says Stephen Marguet, a snowboarder for two years.

With bindings that do not release, the snowboard cannot get away from riders who fall down and go racing down the slopes, maybe injuring someone, he said,

“This wildly out of control thing is wrong,”’ said Marguet, 28. ‘The binding doesn’t release and everybody has to use a safety leash on top of it.""

Not a new pastime, snowboar-

ding was started 24 years ago by Californian Tom Sims as the winter alternative to surfing. Now, the sport has evolved from the ear- ly wooden boards to the cutting edge of the latest ski high techno- logy.

For Marguet, snowboarding is a perfect sport for him, as he has a bad knee.

Both feet being fixed via the bindings to the board, there is no independent torque that can wrench a knee —- the snowboard rider moves like a surfer.

“It’s surfing on snow, a com- bination of surfing, skiing and

skateboarding.”

Easy to learn, snowboarding is a sport that is cheaper than skiing — boards run from about $200 ‘‘to as much as you want to pay’’ — re- quiring little gear.

But some local mountains do not allow snowboarding on the slopes. Cypress Bow! last year allowed the boards on the slopes. Blackcomb Mountain this season will be permitting the boards on the slopes, but only if the riders are certified from the Canadian Snowboarding Association or the mountain’s own ski scnool.

Grouse Mountain welcomes you to yet another exciting winter season. So much has been planned for you, from an exciting choice of ski programs to the Molson Giant Slalom event, February 27 to March 1,1988. In addition, extensive summer grooming on most of the back runs means earlier opening and better conditions all season. This year, Grouse rings with refreshing development and activity. Join us for your share of the action.

PROGRESSIVE LEARN TO SKI PACKAGES - 4 LESSONS

no better way to start

Head-Way:

FUN.

skiing... guaranteed |

“Mid-Way: Top-Notch:

SPECIAL PROGRAMS Ski Breeze:

Ski Wee: year olds,

Ladies Day:

ski your heart out with an instructor, preschool program for 3-6

for immediate ski improvement

for the keen skier -who wants polish

ye

ay oe 7

lesson and lunch,

especially for ladies . every Tuesday, keep fit and have fun on Seniors Day every Thursday.

ESPECIALLY FORK TEENS Freedom Ski Camps: for teens

who really want to

go for it.

FOR KIDS WHO WANT TO HAVE

Junior Program: fully supervised

for 6- 14 year olds. Head-Way, Mid-Way and Top-Notch

ADULT SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Group Ski Parties: three terrific

“Group Good Time" packages. A great way to have fun with the gang.

Recreational Race Centre: you dont

have to be ‘hot’? to have

For more details phone Grouse Mountain Skier’s Services 980-9311.

6400 Nancy Greene Way North Vancouver, B.C.

J NEWS photo Terry Peters

Although not as unsafe as popularly supposed, snowbearding does in- deed offer stimulating chatlenges, as demonstrated by Cory Campbell on

Cypress Bow!.

Sportswear highlighted

EVEN THOUGH THE weather is still terrific throughout the Lower Mainland, the time is now to start looking at the latest winter lifestyle ski and loungewear fashions for the coming winter season.

As part of Winter Lifestyles — Sport & Ski Show °87, Park Royal shopping mall wil! showcase winter

EN'S Reg. $40.00 now $24.89 eee y

SHOE FACTORY OUTLET Main & Mountain Hwy. :

sportswear foc a host of winter sports, including skiing, skating, cruising and boating, all of which can be seen at 1:15 p.m Oct. 31. The Winter Lifestyles fashion show will highlight a collection of 30 of the latest winter sporting looks from a host of Park Royal sporting goods shops including Eatons, The Bay and Woodward's.

GME: LADIES/BOYS Reg. $40.00now $24.99

North Van. 986-6566. a Pa