"My favorite snowboard. I want to share that fun with my friends. Mochiron and my family."
Snowboarding was born in the United States in the XNUMX's and was first spotlighted in Japan in the XNUMX's.At that time, teens and XNUMXs now have a family, have children, and the style of going to the mountains seems to have changed little by little after more than XNUMX years. (Of course, there are people who still enjoy the same style without any change.) Since I love snowboarding, I want to share the fun with my sons and daughters.But where can I start?Would you like to buy some gear for the time being?Would you like to rent a rental and teach yourself?Or would you like to take a lesson?Will you really like it?Do you get bored?
This time, in order to help resolve such anxieties and doubts, I chased after two days with a father who loves snowboarding and a son who is a candidate for the future No. 1 riding buddy (sliding companion).
"Snowboarding isn't the only thing in kids."
Mr. Ishihara, who is in charge of marketing and PR at BURTON, loves to ride sideways from the beginning.A XNUMX-year-old Yuri Kun who has such a dad. The two promised to go to the snowy mountains together this season.
Mr. Ishihara wondered if snowboarding was everywhere in his life because he had a father who works for a snowboard brand, and said, "I usually play soccer and learn karate. There happened to be snowboarding in winter."I'm not trying to force him to snowboard, but he seems to have naturally become interested in Yuba Kun.It seems that Yuba Kun, who was invited by his dad to go to the snowy mountains where there are few chances to play in the city center and such pure white snow, suddenly got excited and was looking forward to it.The starting point for such excitement is choosing gear.
“It is important to listen to the person's comfort. Therefore, while enlivening the feelings, choose your favorite color and style.”
This gear selection shop has a large selection of kids' gear from the top of your head to your toes.BURTON FLAGSHIP STORE TOKYO..The large store is lined with colorful outerwear, helmets, gloves, goggles and other accessories. Mr. Ishihara commented, "I hate it if it's a little uncomfortable to wear."Certainly, kids sometimes don't even try on their gloves because they don't bend their fingers even a little or they feel uncomfortable around their neck.The area may be more severe than adults.Therefore, BURTON's outerwear incorporates features that are comparable to adult gear, such as a microfleece around the neck, DRYRIDE Durashell ™ 2-layer material, Thermocore ™ insulation, and a DWR coating that keeps the outerwear dry.In addition, the Room-to-Grow ™ system, which allows you to adjust the sleeves and hem of the outerwear to suit the growing kids, is one of the nice features of moms and dads' wallets.Also, the way of playing with snow is beyond imagination, and kids who fall in an impossible way.With bib pants and one-piece jumpsuits, you can enjoy playing in the snow for a long time without snow entering.Such one-pack kids also sweat a lot, so there is a concern that the sweat will get cold and catch a cold.That's why it's important to choose outerwear, but it's also important to choose base layers and socks. So that you don't get the negative image of "snowboarding = cold, tsurai", let's choose a gear that you can comfortably play with the snow so that you can say "Let's slip one more!" ..
"I think there is a way to make a kick to meet snowboards. Show it with your eyes, start with skateboarding, and play in the park when it snows. I hope you understand that."
Immediately after the Sochi Olympics, snowboarding won the “No. 1 sport for children”.However, this is just a "sport that parents want to do", not a sport that kids want to do. (But I believe it's the number one sport kids want to play.) Still, I want to create a kick-start for kids to meet snowboarding.To increase that opportunity, BURTON has long been developing its own program called "Burton Kids Regret Park" in the United States, Japan, and Europe.It is a park where kids can experience the feeling of riding sideways on a board even on a flat place using a line that pulls the board called a regret reel.
I want to go to the snowy mountains because I have all the gear, but before that, let's go to Burton Kids Regret Park where you can experience the basics of snowboarding. This program, which allows kids from XNUMX to XNUMX years old to master the basics of snowboarding, is visited by more than XNUMX kids every year, cultivates a sense of balance while riding a board pulled by an instructor, and is the first to go to the snowy mountains. Helps Ayumu.
Recently, a park facility was set up at "BURTON RAIL DAYS" held in Roppongi Hills.Bring snow to the city and create opportunities for as many kids as possible to interact with snowboards.It may be the first step for kids to make a turn to the next generation.
“After the lesson, I was surprised that I was more excited than I expected. I skipped the break and said,“ Let's go skiing more! ”! ”
The two of them, who have the same gear and experienced the basics of snowboarding at Burton Kids Regret Park and have perfect rehearsals at home, headed for Gunma Prefecture, which is easily accessible from the Kanto region.Norn Minakami Ski Resort".Professional snowboarder strives to be the principalNorn Minakami Snowboard SchoolThere are plenty of lessons for adults, including private lessons and lessons for those aiming for a badge test.This time, Yuu Kun will take a kids lesson for preschoolers.The lessons held in an area safely separated by a fence without using a lift are divided into three levels, and the fun content is to gradually get used to snowboarding while playing in the snow.All rental gear can be used with LTR (Learn To Ride) developed by BURTON to improve snowboarding, so it is safe for families who do not have boards or boots.
By the way, the boots and helmet have been decided perfectly.He seemed to enjoy the lesson XNUMX% with other kids, despite his worried look.Taking the same lessons for kids of the same age may also be a good way to create a competitive spirit.Only a professional instructor can practice how to practice turns and lessons mixed with play that you can never think of even from the perspective of a snowboarder.Even Mr. Ishihara, who has a long experience in snowboarding, seems to have made a new discovery, saying, "It will be a great learning experience. Just having a third party called an instructor will create a completely different atmosphere."Even after the lesson is over, I don't even take a break, and the word "Let's go skiing more!" Is proof that Yuu Kun enjoyed the lesson.
“It's important to choose accommodation, transportation, and slopes. It would be great if you could relax and face the children and think that snowboarding is cool.”
Just because the lesson is over, the two THE DAYs are not over.In the lesson, Yuu Kun, who is at the height of tension, invites his dad to the slopes.Knowledge of the slopes is important here. We would like to choose a ski resort that we are familiar with or do research in advance so that we do not have to say, "This is our first ski resort and the slopes for beginners are awesome!"You don't want to take me to a steep slope and think, "Daddy's lessons are too strict!"In addition to choosing the slopes, there seem to be other factors that give the impression that "snowboarding is fun". "Any other dad has to worry about choosing accommodation, slopes, and transportation. I think it's the same for professional riders, manufacturers, and non-professionals. Children are prone to catching colds. It's also important to manage your physical condition. I want to make everyone start with "comfort" and make them think that snowboarding is fun, "says Ishihara.It's natural that you can't do it, and it's natural to knead Dada because it's a little cold.That's why I'm going to interact with my children while creating a fun and relaxing experience.Also, from about XNUMX years old, I started to understand the word "cool".Snowboarding, which parents love, is cool, so it may be natural to ask children to think so.
“Japanese snowboarders are entering their second generation for the first time. It is said that the snowboarding population is declining, but a new generation is increasing.”
The XNUMX's when snowboarding began to be in the spotlight.The young people who were in their teens and twenties at that time are now parents, and their children may be about to play with them.If you notice, there is a wave that Japanese snowboarding has never experienced in the last XNUMX years.It's a wave for a new generation. "There are statistics that the snowboarding population is declining compared to the time when snowboarding was explosively popular in Japan. But it is certain that Japanese snowboarding is in its second generation for the first time. BURTON pushes kids' products. As you can see, the number of new generations is increasing, "says Ishihara. Leading brands like BURTON, including LTR and Burton Kids Regret Park, are making the kicks to liven up Japanese snowboarding in XNUMX years, XNUMX years, and beyond.
"Even so, I'm actually in a position to take my child to the snowy mountains, and I realize how hard it is! (Laughs)"
In fact, it's easy to say, but it seems to be difficult to actually try.
However, it is also important to create that environment.The impact of snowboarding that the Sochi Olympics have given to the general public is great, and the degree of social understanding of snowboarders is changing.And what you need at that time is an environment that makes it easy to start snowboarding.It includes parental support, enhanced kids lessons, gear types, good access to snowy mountains, and an environment where kids can enjoy snowboarding smoothly and fully.And the most important thing is to have them continue snowboarding.It's a cool sport that I started with much effort, so I want you to continue forever. "Because I started when I was young, I'm not an expert. The important thing is to continue. I want you to grow as a lifestyle together. Even if you go to the snowy mountains yourself, several times a year Goes snowboarding with their parents as a family. It will eventually become a cycle. In order for the flow to continue, we parents will enjoy riding together and share the fun of snowboarding. Isn't that the case? "That is what Mr. Ishihara thinks of as a manufacturer and as a parent in the future of snowboarding in Japan.
“I made a new discovery this time. I want you to think about children's snowboarding from the perspective of enjoying the illusory happenings, including troubles.”
While thinking about snowboarding for kids, it may be natural that we also want to ski. I can't help but put up with the growing feeling of "pecan powder, but my son and family slopes". It may not go as expected, but it is important to have some leeway. "It's hard to balance now, but in the future my son will be able to slide smoothly and it's great for the whole family to have a powder run," says Ishihara happily.It may not be a dream for kids to drop in after their dad, and to have two consecutive tows with a little jump.Why don't you go out to the snowy mountains with your family this season so that the best skiing companions can take the best first step.
Model: Yusuke Ishihara Wearing gear
First layer / socks / outer jacket / Outer pants / Glove / Helmet / goggles / Balaclava
Location: Gunma Prefecture Norn Minakami Ski Resort
Cooperation : Norn Minakami Snowboard School / BURTON FLAGSHIP STORE TOKYO
Photo: ALI
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