Snowboarding talent can get recognized
It started with a student noticing that Utah State has a large number of snowboarders. Soon after, the Men’s and Women’s Snowboard Club was born.
“I wanted to make a club for girls to get together to ride and progress with. From there it became a men and women’s club,” said Jessica Nichols, a senior majoring in graphic design and the club’s president and founder.
The snowboarding club is a way for students to get together who share a common interest, like most other clubs on campus, however, the snowboarding clubs competes and has sponsors for their riders, Nichols said.
“It is a good way for you to meet people and form friendships,” said Nate Capener, an undeclared sophomore.
Anyone can join the snowboard club, and there are no fees. However, members do have to pay for their own resort pass, trips and competition fees. So, members can just go to the group snowboarding days if they choose, or choose to be involved in competitions.
“As long as you have the equipment we’ll be doing rail jams and hopefully setting up a small terrain park close to campus,” Nichols said.
Though this club sees most of its action in the winter, they are still going strong when there is not snow on the ground. The club does dry-land training with tramp boards at the Sports Academy, flowboarding in Ogden and also practice skateboarding; which are all great cross-training sports, Nichols said.
Capener said students who would like to be a part of the club should take the snowboarding class offered on campus.
“They teach you a lot of the basics and give you good fundamentals,” Capener said.
Nichols said she is really excited about how much attention the club has been getting this year. She also plans to start meeting with members once a week starting next semester and anyone can join at anytime.
“When I first started the club I thought it would be just me and a few friends, but I have people e-mailing me almost every day who want to be a part of the club,” Nichols said.
– chelsee.niebergall@aggiemail.usu.edu