surfing vs sking/snowboarding

Not even close to a debate. I got a snowboard back in November for the first time in 15 years and had a fun day on the mountain but didn't go again because the winter swell was so good. Not gonna say snowboarding won't get you stoked and there's not a ton of sick things you can do on one, but in my opinion you don't have to work nearly as hard for what you get in surf and skate.

 

Completely different things to me. I miss the fact that I can't surf in the morning, then take a quick day trip up to Big Bear and snowbaord all afternoon. That was fun... But pretty much every winter in CA, I could never justify going up to the mountains for any extended period of time because that is wave season. If there is something to surf everyday, Im staying in the water and out of the snow...

Not that I live in the SE, I do wish I had a quicker wave to the mountains all winter. I think the closes ridable mountains here are like 6-8 hours... That is way too far, with a wife and a 2 year old daughter....

But, with all that being said, Gerry Lopez apparently got a little jaded about surfing for a few years. I saw him in a video saying that he moved to Colorado and was snowboarding everyday. Just to get away from the ocean. Not sure how he feels today, but to me, that would be like Kelly Slater saying, you know what? I am sick of surfing, I am going to drive a race car for a few years and get a different rush.

 

I would say that both have their ups and downs. Here on the east coast, snowboarding is basically nonexistent (I'm sure I will catch some grief for that). The way to really experience snowboarding is to move to a resort (out west) for the whole season.

The great thing about snowboarding is that its predictable. On a pow day, you get there right when the lifts start, get your tracks in, and by around noon it tracked out. Even if its not a pow day, you can get up to the mountain early, get your jollies, and be done around noon. Basically, the mountain is always open, and its always better in the morning. Its no like surfing, where you need to constantly be checking it, and be able to drop everything at a moments notice to score.

Then there is the whole exploration aspect of snowboarding. No better feeling than seeing a line from somewhere, finding a way to the top of it, and shredding down (preferably in waist deep pow). Or even in the resort, there is always a new set of trees or a new side-country hike for you to get "lost" in.

All that being said, nothing beats good waves in warm water.

 

See, if you are like a pro snowboarder, you would probably dissagree with me, but my thing about snowbaording is yes, "Fresh Pow" is the tits, but you can give me a sh**y, ice cover, tracked out day at Ski Liberty in PA and I will have a blast all day. Yes, conditions can be better, but I will still hit some table tops, cruise down the black diamonds and at the end of the day, have a blast....

Surfing isn't like that. If conditions aren't right, you aren't surfing.... I feel like any little mountain or bump that has snow or even ice on it, is ridable... Albeit not ideal, but it's not like surfing, when the ocean decides to turn itself off for three weeks, you better have a good book and some beer money.

 

Snowboarding is a lot of fun, but I can't help but look at it as 'extreme sledding.' You get a ride to the top, ride down, repeat. My girlfriend tried to get me to commit to a weekend on the mountain this past winter, but the waves were so consistent, I just couldn't do it.

No offense to the dudes who take it seriously; it's just never given me the lasting tranquil joy that I have after a day of good waves. I've never gone the whole season or owned my own board. Perhaps the powder hounds achieve a communion that I can not.

Also, Shaun White is f*cking annoying.

 

hes carrot-top 2

and genuine powder is legit, it feels like surfing when you are turning

no tubesin the snow, but hucking big and the free fall associated therein is rad, I bet.

 

Yeah, but Shaun White is a surfer, who gets paid to Snowboard. He has said that a few hundred times. Every time he wins a medal, people ask him whats next and he always says, I can't wait to get back home to North County SD and get some surf.... So, while Shaun White is a freakball on any kind of board, he is one of us, first and foremost.

Same with Tony Hawk. He says his passion has always been surfing. And surfing waves even in the 6-8 foot range in the only thing that has ever scared him....

Any of those guys from Southern California are all surfers...

 

how about........ just do and enjoy both.

 

Snowboarding/skiing is a rich man's sport.

 

This.

The only time i even like snowboarding anymore is when its blue bird conditions, and 3ft fresh tahoe pow. So yeah i havent had a good time snowboarding in 5+ years.

Although MIS if you find the right overhang you can cruise under it and it kinda feels like a big ol' snow barrel.

 

Surfing and snowboarding dont compare. Snowbaording can be compared to wakeboarding. Both have relativ constant conditions. A better comparison for surfing would be parasailing which also requiresa constantly changing environment and human adaption. Snowboarding is fun. But, ride the lift up, ride down with the crowd, or worse, chicken out and get back on the lift down.surfing requires committment, dedication, patience anda willingness to step outside your comfort zone of a chair lift ride to the lodge.

 

I don't get why everyone hates on shaun white.seriously people enlighten me.im not even a fan or anything,but the dude rips on a snowboard,skateboard,and surfboard and hes so nonchalant.yes he looks annoying,but u cant help but watch him when hes on.u know when somebody is good at what they do when u don't even like the sport but they are putting on a helluva show u cant turn away.

 

I am a fan of the kid. However, there are just a lot of people, some within the industry and some people are just the public, I.E. Hotel owners, security guards etc. that basically have said that Shaun White acts like Justin Beiber. He goes around on entitled rampages, taking advantage of his star status, treating people around him like dirt....

Can't say yey or ney on it. Don't know the guy, but rumor has it that he has been a di**.

But then again, people said the same thing about Andy Irons. Love him or hate him, he was still a great surfer. Some people just don't feel the need to carry on some fake persona for the media and fans. I don't agree with it, cause these same people are buying your gear and stuff, and to snuff them in public is lame.

 

that's true,and ai was a d1ck,no denying that but he was the top 2 of his time,behind slater ofcourse.yea if somebody acted like Justin beiber,I don't care if it was slater,id stop being a fan asap.I saw a video of shaun white skating a backyard mini pipe with jeff myers from n.carolina,so he looks cool lol,not like one of those "im so much better than u kinda people".i remember the first time I seen shaun white was during the x games when they were at Puerto Escondido.that was probably 10 yrs ago and look at him now.i think most people just don't like that hes talented at multiple extreme sports.ur not supposed to be the snowboarding pro,and surf better than a pro surfer.i seen a lot of snowboarders take to the water and they pick it up pretty fast

 

Well fellas, I have worked in the ski industry hillside at BC in Co. For the past 12 years. I find myself drooling over all the winter swells that most of ya get to take advantage of. When spring hits I get some freezing river time then off to some warm water. I love skiing, snowboarding and surfing. Don't get me wrong but I hit every quality powder day.
Right now I'm just stoked more on surfing!

 

Of all places a Gerry Lopez board is for sale in Breckenfridge ( known by locals) ! It's on craigslist under high mts in co. with a bunch of other stuff, only $550 for the board. Go figure.

 

Match box cars vs. crayons vs. twizzlers

 

Been a huge aficionado of the Suicide Slats growing up on the Left Coast, and had the opportunity to ski some of the finest hills. My first wife wanted to relocate to Colorado, so I grudgingly went with her to keep the marriage alive. I knew that not being able to surf was gonna hurt big time, but I thought that skiing in Breck, Vail, The Butte and some of the other classics would be a satisfying placebo to help me get through my addiction.

I was wrong. VERY wrong.

But I wonder if some of those Warren Miller subjects would feel the same way if they were forced to switch.

BTW: the marriage ended less than a year later, beginning a new journey in the PNW.