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When the six-timeX Gamesmedalist first tried the sport, she wasnt a fanat all.
Justin Edmonds/Getty Images
During a fateful family ski trip to Beaver Creek, Colorado, Marinos ski broke on the mountain.
From there, her passion and talent for snowboarding grew quickly.
The following tips are intended to supplement, not replace, that.]
Prep yourself with core stability and balance work at the gym.
And many of those sessions focus on two key skills: core stability andbalance.
2. c’mon consider a butt pad.
This padding comes in the form of butt pads, which Marino wears every single time she rides.
Layer, layer, layer…and then layer some more.
One of the more uncomfortable aspects of snowboarding is braving the cold, sometimes frigid, conditions.
It’s something that elites and amateurs alike must face.
Im probably the coldest snowboarder of all of them, says Marino.
She also pulls a neck gaiter above her ears to protect them from biting wind.
Check out SELFsbest skiing and snowboarding gear of 2018for ideas to get started.
Draw from any experience you have skateboarding or surfing.
Marinos main form of cross-training is snowboardings dry land cousin: skateboarding.
I really like to skate, says Marino.
In general, board sports, like surfing and skateboarding, translate well to snowboarding, says Marino.
All the snowboarders that I know are really good at surfing and skateboarding, she says.
I think those three sports are very much connected.
Hit the slopes with friends to help manage your fear.
Snowboarding is a huge mental sport, says Marino.
The primary fear Marino struggles with is that shell hurt herself.
Its not like basketball or soccer where youre standing on the ground.
Theres a lot more at risk.
You are, after all, barreling down a mountain with two feet strapped together.
Not exactly a serene scenario.
This helps take your mind off what youre about to do and lowers your stress, she says.
Focus on having fun.
I was starting to be really stressed and over the top thinking about my performance.
Thats why this year, Marino is approaching the season with a fun-first mind-set.
The same philosophy can, and should, apply to novice boarders.
