Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Outdoors

This may be the first snowboarding video ever made, and it’s as weird and retro as you expect

It was made in the late '60's or early '70's, so there's that

Tom Kilpatrick
Nate Swanner
By and
A snowboarder with an action camera on their head sits on the groomer.
Cyrus Crossan / Unsplash

Did it happen if you didn’t catch it on film? Nowadays, it feels as though snowboarding and action cameras go hand-in-hand. After all, when cameras can fit in the palm of your hand and editing software is just one of many apps that you have on your smartphone, there’s no excuse for coming back from your holiday without some sick footage that just about misses all the tricks you lay down and gets some dodgy near-angles of you bailing hard.

But there had to be a first. There’s always a first. And we think we might just have found it. Before you watch this film, I want you to imagine how bizarre this film might be. Got it? Right, multiply that thought by a hundred because this is weird, retro, and exactly what the first-ever snowboarding — or snurfing as it was back then — should have been.

Recommended Videos

There’s a lot to unpack here, so we’ll leave the truly bizarre for a moment and focus on what they’re riding. These aren’t your modern snowboards with high-tech step-on bindings, but the hop-on, hop-off system is even quicker. These early-day snurfers — snow surfers — look more like the mono-ski than a snowboard, with their huge rocker and a technical piece of rope at the nose to give you a little control and stop it diving under the snow.

Related

These pioneers of snurfing and snowboarding were integral to the creation of our sport, but they were also viewed as renegades and turned away from their resorts. Instead of lifts, they would strap on their boots and hike up through deep snow before ripping it downhill. And it wasn’t just a straight shred. These guys had control — look at those snake hips and how they weave their turns and even send small drops. Snurfing has experienced a resurgence in the past couple of years, but modern machines look refined and manufactured compared with these homemade snurfers. Technology may move forward, but technique is permanent.

Now that we’ve looked at that, let’s address the weirdest part of this video: these boys are rocking some serious snowboarding gear. While the guy in red looks retro enough — bear in mind this was somewhere between 1968 and 1973, so retro is to be expected — the other snurfer looks like a Boy George tribute act. The checked shirt and windbreaker is a winning combination, but I would be surprised if the bowler hat — I’m not a hat expert; it might be a different style of hat — overtakes modern helmet design any time soon.

This video is weird, it’s wild, and it’s perfect. It’s a display of what snurfing and snowboarding are all about: freedom. These guys were trailblazers of the sport, but boy, am I glad we’ve moved ahead with snowboarding gear.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Tom Kilpatrick
Tom Kilpatrick
Contributor
A London-born outdoor enthusiast, Tom took the first ticket out of suburban life. What followed was a twelve-year career as…
The loop on the ring finger of your ski gloves is actually really useful
It's not just there for decoration
A man standing on the mountain wearing ski gloves.

It's time to dust off your snow gear! Amid all the excitement, however, it's easy to overlook some of the more fascinating design work that went into your snow gloves. For example, if you pay attention to your ski gloves, you may realize that there is a little loop on the ring finger of each glove. This is a clever design element that offers several practical benefits, whether you're skiing or snowboarding. Here's how to use them.
Here's how to use the loops
Hang your gloves to dry
One of the most immediate and useful applications of the loop on your ski glove's ring finger is its role in drying your gloves. After an exhilarating day on the slopes, your gloves can become damp from snow and sweat. The key to maintaining comfort and warmth for your next run is ensuring your gloves dry thoroughly. Here's where the loop comes into play.

To expedite the drying process, you can use the loop to hang your gloves with the fingers pointing upward. This method is more effective at drying your gloves compared to laying them flat, as it allows air to circulate freely inside the gloves, which helps moisture evaporate more rapidly. Drying with your gloves fingers up prevents them from becoming musty and keeps them fresh for your next snow adventure. By using the loop for this purpose, you'll be ready to hit the slopes with dry, comfortable gloves in no time.
Easy carrying
The loop on the ring finger of your ski gloves can also serve as a convenient means of carrying your gloves when you're not wearing them. You can attach a carabiner to the loops, allowing you to hook your gloves onto your ski or snowboard jacket, backpack, or belt. This can be particularly handy when you're transitioning between skiing and other activities or when you're in a cozy ski lodge, giving your gloves a designated place to hang without the risk of misplacing them.

Read more
How snowboarding through trees and in powder can help improve your skillset
Snowboarding through trees is a totally different (yet still amazing) experience
Sunny snowboarding in the Stowe Trees

Stowe Mountain Resort Mark Reif

When I moved to Vermont in October 2021, I couldn’t wait to snowboard at Stowe Mountain Resort. Set amongst the state’s highest peak, Mt. Mansfield, the storied resort offered abundant freeride terrain and a unique local culture. 

Read more
Plan a Colorado road trip: The ultimate routes for Ikon pass, Epic ski pass holders
Hit the best slopes across Colorado
A winding road through the snowy rocky mountains

So, you’re looking to rip up the Rocky Mountain on a ski road trip, huh? Well, lucky for you, I've got the inside scoop to help you travel around these Colorado mountains with ease and avoid common road trip mistakes. Keep reading for the best routes to take for this winter road trip.

Traveling from point A to B and so on …
Assuming you’re flying into the Mile High State, you're going to need some sort of transportation. Check out these Colorado-based RVs and campervan rentals for cruising the Rockies in style and comfort. They offer tons of space and onboard amenities like cooking essentials, inverters for charging devices, and campsite gear to make your trip as comfortable and stress-free as possible. All you’ll need to bring is yourself, some buds, your skis or snowboard, and snow gear.

Read more