Snowboarding Rules and Laws
Basic snowboarding rules are written to safeguard snowboarders and other riders. Since there is a high possibility of injuries that can take place, the rules are mostly common sense and aim to keep the rider and others safe on the mountains.
The first and the most important rule that everyone needs to follow is to know one's abilities and keep away from risky snowboarding stunts. Watching professional and experienced snowboarders, it is easy to believe that one can also pull off the stunts that they are doing. However, these are not as easy as they may seem. It takes time and dedication to master huge cliff jumps and controlling the board at high speeds.
A snowboarder has to remember to stay out of the way of other snowboarders at all times. It is important that a snowboarder does not stop in the blind spots such as below a catwalk or at the bottom of a jump. It is hard for other riders to turn their board when falling on the force of gravity. When riding behind someone, the person in the front has the right of the way and no matter how fast or slow this person is going, the snowboarder at the back has to slowdown. It is also necessary that a person stays within the boundaries of the snowboarding range and avoid going outside the marked boundaries. There is a high risk of avalanche in unexplored areas and unless one is experienced in riding in unexplored backcountry terrain, and is riding with avalanche gear and beacon, it is not recommended that one crosses boundaries.
When sloping down from a higher slope an area where other skiers or boarders are present, it is important that one alarm the others below to make way and stop others from riding, since the speed of the person riding from the top is higher than the one below. This avoids collisions and avoids injuries.
The International Ski Federation formulated the rules and regulations that need to be followed by contestants and organizers at international snowboarding championships. The intent of the rules and regulations are to create a friendly, competitive, fair and fun atmosphere for the competitors. The number of judges and other personnel running a competition are defined in the rules and regulations. The races are timed and competitors are ranked with snowboarders from around the world. All false starts are considered as disqualifications. The rules also specify that participants wear back protection to safeguard their spines in crashes. Detailed style specific rules and regulations vary from style to style and even vary in different competitions.
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