Taking up any new sport can be challenging, and learning snowboarding is no exception. While it does have a faster learning curve than skiing, it also has its drawbacks when you’re first starting out. Here are a few tips on what to expect.

Clothing
You will be sweating like a beast your first day of snowboarding, falling down and getting back up. Wear an outer layer that is water resistant and go light on the layers underneath. Your body temperature will warm up a lot quicker than you think, and it’s not easy to keep a bulky jacket tied around your waist. Also, wear durable mittens that are warm and water resistant.

Gear
When you fall forward snowboarding, you’ll likely land on your knees and wrists. When you fall backward, one of two things can occur. You’ll either land on your bum and wrists, or hit the back of your head on the snow and end up on your back. Prepare yourself for this with a helmet, wrist guards, and kneepads. If you are renting gear, the store might also have these items for rent, so be sure to ask. The few extra dollars in cost will be worth it.

Lesson
So your friend offers to teach you snowboarding, should you take him or her up on it? No! Especially if this offer is from your boyfriend or significant other, trust me on this one. Ideally, you want to take a lesson from a professional snowboard instructor. They will take you through a series of steps that will enhance your understanding of the movements required for snowboarding, and thus you’ll be learning the quickest way to success.

Fatigue
It can be mentally and physically tiring learning a new sport. If you are taking a full day lesson, that usually means you have two hours of instruction in the morning, a long lunch, and two hours again in the afternoon. Despite how eager you may be to practice during lunch, give yourself a break to revitalize your ability to concentrate in the afternoon. Drink plenty of water to help keep your energy up. And don’t forget, food is also fuel for the body, so be sure to eat a good lunch.

These tips will make your first day so much more pleasant, it should be required reading for every beginner. Expect to be tired at the end of your first day, but the effort will have paid off, as you will be able to say, “Yeah, I’m a snowboarder!”