| The 2010 Winter Olympics are now over and most | | | | razor scooter, or ripstik. |
| of us watched and enjoyed all the teams competing | | | | 4. Practice doing simple stunts until they are |
| for the medals. Many young kids watched and wished | | | | mastered before moving on to more difficult ones. |
| they could be there competing. One of the most | | | | 5. Get help from your friends that are more |
| popular with the younger crowd was the | | | | experienced at doing stunts, or look online for ideas. |
| snowboarding and kids often wonder how these | | | | 6. Set goals to learn new stunts, keeping them simple |
| special athletes got started. All the athletes started | | | | at first so you don't get discouraged. |
| with a sport that they enjoyed and had the desire to | | | | 7. Break complex stunts down into small segments, |
| be good at. Did you know that Shaun White, the U.S. | | | | adding a new segment only when the previous |
| Olympic Gold Medalist in snowboarding, also does | | | | segment is mastered. |
| skateboarding? They are very similar sports. The | | | | 8. Keep practicing, practicing, and practicing. |
| main difference is the surfaces - snowboarding | | | | 9. Try to get to a skate park and competitions for |
| obviously is done on snow and skateboarding is done | | | | inspiration to make up your own stunts. |
| on hard surfaces. What if your child wants to | | | | 10. If snowboarding is your child's goal, now take him |
| become good at snowboarding but you don't live | | | | or her to the nearest snowboarding facility where |
| where there is snow? Guess what - your child can | | | | picking up the sport will be much easier. |
| start with skateboarding! Now how does your child | | | | Even though your child may not want to be an |
| get started becoming an Olympic snowboarding | | | | Olympian, every Olympic snowboarding champion |
| champion? | | | | started at the beginning. Everyone starts with the |
| | | | basics and works up from there. Try starting with a |
| 1. First get a skateboard, razor scooter, or ripstik. | | | | razor scooter, or ripstik. Always remember safety |
| 2. Get safety gear, including helmets, knee pads and | | | | gear - even experts wear safety gear. Don't let your |
| shin-guards, and anything else you think is necessary | | | | child get discouraged while learning new stunts, and |
| to protect your pride and joy. Just make sure he or | | | | encourage him or her to keep trying and practicing. |
| she can stand up without assistance when a fall | | | | Check out the neighborhood and see if you have |
| occurs! | | | | skate parks nearby where your child can practice |
| 3. Start slow, get comfortable with your skateboard, | | | | with others, get pointers and find inspiration. |