Choosing Suitable Snowboard And Gear For Your Child

The basics for starting a child out in snowboarding include several key elements:

Lessons

Helmet

Snowboard

Bindings

Boots

Stomp pad

Leash

Goggles

Gloves

Lessons

If your child has skied or is nearing the pre-teen or teenage years, they may try to convince you that lessons are not necessary. Follow through with your first impression that lessons are a good idea. The instructor will help you decide if a basic run-through or more intense instruction is required. A firm believer in better prepared than regretful, lessons will not only teach the how-to of snowboarding, lessons will also reinforce necessary safety issues when using a snowboard.

Helmet

If you have fitted your child with a helmet for other occasions, such as skateboarding, you will be familiar with the basics of a proper fitting helmet. If not, a primer on proper helmet choice and sizing includes: Let your child have as much say in the helmet purchase as possible, as a helmet that a child will not wear, no matter how well it fits, will be of zero use. A stylish helmet is a helmet that will be worn. The helmet should fit snugly, not tightly. Chinstrap should be comfortable, and helmet should not tip forward or backward. Helmet should not move from side to side either. Ventilation systems are available on some helmets, and if this is a possible issue with your child keeping the helmet on their head where it belongs, it is an issue worth considering at time of purchase.

Snowboard

Many different sizing suggestions can be found in regards to proper snowboard size. The main misconception is to choose a board sized solely on height or weight of the child. To fit a board properly to a child, both height and weight must be considered as combined issues. Typically, you will hear to purchase a board that when stood on end, falls somewhere between your child's chin and nose. This is a good rule to follow, with the weight as a factor. If your child is on the light side, towards the chin is more realistic, and in the same tone, if your child is on the heavy side, to the nose will be a better fit. Better yet, have your child rent equipment a few times to find a length that they are most comfortable with and add that dimension to the previous suggestions. While it is tempting to buy a board that they will not outgrow right away, it is best to buy a board that fits.

Boots and Bindings

Often purchased in combination with a board as a set, boots and bindings that fit are important. A child needs to be comfortable in order to snowboard well. If purchasing boots in person, let the salesperson and child agree on a fit. If ordering through a catalog or online, follow their guidelines in regards to what size to order, usually adjusted to the child's shoe or boot size.

Bindings are an area where personal preference will be a deciding factor as the boarder becomes more experienced. To start, the recommended bindings or those that come with a board will be more than a good start.

Stomp Pads and Leashes

A stomp pad is fixed unto a board next to the binding, for when a boarder comes off a lift. They remove one boot from a binding for two-footed control on mounting and dismounting the lift and the stomp pad allows them grip for the boot that is out of the binding. Generic ones often ship with boots, but fun, character ones are available and are a small way for kids to customize their boards.

Leashes are exactly what they sound like. They run from a clip on either the boot or even the lacing, to your binding. Some wrap around the leg itself, then to the binding. This prevents the child's board from becoming disengaged from the child when riding a chairlift. When on the lift, they only have that boot in a binding, and if for some reason it were to come loose, the board will not fall.

Goggles and Gloves

If your child will be out on the slopes in wind, cold temperatures, or even bright, sun-filled days, goggles will keep their vision clear and help protect not only their eyes, but also the skin around them from the elements. Gloves are necessary, to keep hands warm and protected from snow and ice.