Another factor keeping some adults away from snowboarding may be reputation for wildness on slopes that snowboarders have. That probably comes from fact that when equipment was first invented, it was technologically primitive, with little ability to steer or stop. That’s how snowboarding got its image as an extreme sport and snowboarders got their reputation as outlaws of snow. Now snowboards have evolved technologically into precision devices that can turn and stop easily, when operated under control.

With older snowboarders hitting slopes, culture of injury and pain has outlived it’s origins. Adults don’t equate injuries with status. People who start riding as adults want to stay upright and uninjured. Some skiers switch over because it seems like more fun and less stress on knees. Again, goal is to stay whole!

I learned by trial, error and luck how to avoid injury. In fact, a fine young gentleman working at guest services desk on Whistler Mountain (B.C.) offered to let me borrow his Rollerblade wrist guards and knee pads, one day when I was learning, and I was hooked on safety and comfort from that moment.

Don’t make two biggest mistakes new snowboarders often make when you do decide to take up this wonderful sport. To be safe, comfortable, and happy, you MUST

1. Take a lesson given by a professional your first time out. and 2. You MUST wear padding, on your knees, butt, and wrists.

Come now, why try to reinvent wheel? If you want to learn to snowboard, then a snowboard lesson with a trained instructor will teach you IMPORTANT basic snowboarding skills that you will use every day for rest of your riding life.

So learn them right, right from start. Forget about teaching yourself how to get on and off a lift safely on a board. This is what teachers are for.

And padding is a must because falling is an inevitable part of learning process. You WILL fall at first. But if you are padded properly, you will not have to hurt yourself. And don’t chuck padding once you have mastered basics. You will need it when you progress to jumping and tricks!

In reality practising extreme self-care actually produces more time, space and money in our lives. When we truly care for our own needs first, we build a reserve of energy and resources that enables us to sustain extreme self-care in our own life with enough left over to care for others.

I challenge you to choose one thing this week that demonstrates extreme self-care in your life. (Have a massage, read a book, get a house cleaner, do your favourite whimsical thing, have a check up at dentist, stretch, say no). Notice happiness, energy and well being you create by practising extreme self-care.