when was the first snowboard competition held?

Answer 1

Snowboard competition has not been around for very long, but with snowboarding quickly becoming one of the most popular winter sports around the world it is worth noting the history. By taking a look at the history of the snowboard competition and sport as a whole, you will see how it quickly became popular enough to warrant inclusion in the Olympics and other international competitions.

Most people say that snowboarding started somewhere around 1965 in Michigan by a man named Sherman Poppen. Poppen nailed skis together for his daughters, and after seeing the marketing potential of the boards, decided to sell them. Poppen was follwed by Jake Burton who started combining surfing and skiing techniques.

It was in 1982 that the first snowboard competition was held internationally. Though not as smoothly done as the competition of today, it gave birth to the International Snowboarding Federation. That was the catalyst that was needed to allow the sport to legitimize. Slowly, over the next few decades, competitions were held and eventually snowboarders became as common as skiers on the slopes.

Finally, competition hit its peak when the Winter Olympics of Nagano Japan introduced snowboarding in 1998. By the 2002 games, snowboarding was one of the most popular events at the winter games. Snowboard competition, because of these advancements, continue to grow both in the United States and internationally.

The history of competition, while short, certainly has its quirks. Between a man nailing skis together and having competitions in his yard, to an Olympic sport that has gained steam all over the world. From a rebel sport, to mainstream success, competition has arrived and, it seems, it is here to stay. So if you love the snow and you love competition, then take in a snowboard competition and you will see that all the hype is about more than just skaters on snow, it is legitimate competition.

Answer 2

I'm going to guess around 1988. Competition for quite
some time was considered anathema by the
snowboard culture.