There is so much debate on multiple forums between surfers and snowboarders on which sport is better, which is harder or easier to learn, which is more dangerous, what are the similarities etc.
Today I’d like to look at all of the arguments online and objectively view the main differences between these two excellent sports. And hopefully, build a bridge between by sports, because I believe we can learn so much from each other.
Surfing and snowboarding are equally good sports to learn, I recommend both equally. The only difference will be where you live. If you live near a beach, then surfing is your sport. Whereas, if you live in an area that has good snowboarding spots, then snowboarding is your sport.
If you had the option of choosing either surfing or snowboarding, I’d say… Flip a coin
Both Surfing And Snowboarding Require Expensive Equipment
The difference in cost between surfboards and snowboards is on average $400. Surfboards cost $1000, Snowboards cost $600. Even though surfboards are slightly more expensive, snowboarding has other costs like paying for daily lift tickets that surfing doesn’t require.
Average Snowboarding Costs
- Snowboard $600
- Snowboarding boots $100
- Helmet $75
- Goggles $50
- Winter gloves for snowboarding $150
- Snowboarding pants $50
- Snowboarding jacket $100
- Snowboarding socks (important) $20
- Day pass list tickets $110 or pay for a resort package for approx $220 per day
The first day of snowboarding will cost you $1250 on average
Average Surfing Costs
- Surfboard $1000
- Wetsuit $150
- Rash Vest $75
- Surfboard Leg-Rope $50
- Surfing Wax cost $5 to $10
- Surfboard tail pad $50
The first day of surfing will cost you $1330 on average
Surfing v Snowboarding Cost Analysis
Sure surfing will have a slightly higher upfront cost, snowboarding has more recurring costs over time that will add up. The equipment that I added up above is only baseline recommendations for both sports.
There is a whole range of other items that can be bought for both surfing and snowboarding. Surfers can purchase booties, helmets, gloves etc however I’d say most of these are not essential to most surfers.
There is a return on investment cost too, that most people don’t take into account. Even though snowboarding has slightly higher costs, surfing will take slightly longer for you to learn to stand up on a surfboard.
When you do your cost-benefit analysis of the two sports, the value you put on your time and effort should be taken into account. Depending on how much you value your time, this will determine whether surfing or snowboarding has a better (ROI) return on investment for you.
Whereas, you’ll be able to take a few snowboarding lessons and be up and standing on a snowboard quicker. This makes the up-front costs of snowboarding even out when compared to surfing. Sure, surfing is slightly cheaper, yet you’ll have to spend more time practicing.
What Do Surfing And Snowboarding Have In Common?
- Surfing And Snowboarding both require a surfboard to ride
- Surfing And Snowboarding are both sports that are conducted under cold conditions. Even on a hot summer’s day at the beach, the surf can be cold.
- Surfers And Snowboarders have a high degree of balance and coordination
- Surfers And Snowboarders are fit and healthy
Does Surfing Feel Like Snowboarding?
On average surfing and snowboarding feel similar. The adrenaline rush of being pushed down the face of a surf wave or feeling gravity propel you down a mountain or ski run feels the same.
Surfers will have to use their back foot more for turning and slowing down from time to time. While snowboarders need to put more pressure on their front foot than most surfers would need to.
The biggest determining factor is how big the wave is the surfer is catching compared to how steep the mountain run is that the snowboarder is snowboarding down. When the equally comparable size and steepness are in play, we cannot compare the two.
Surfing and snowboarding feel the same. The feeling of moving at high speed, and the possible danger that surfers and snowboarders face evokes massive amounts of adrenaline and dopamine in both surfers and snowboarders.
Which Came First Snowboarding or Surfing?
Surfing was invented before snowboarding. Cave paintings dating back to the 1200’s (12th century) show evidence of Polynesians surfing, Polynesians brought surfing to Hawaii where surfing became mainstream. Snowboarding came after surfing in the 1960’s.
Is Surfing Harder Than Snowboarding?
Surfing is harder than snowboarding. Surfing requires ”dynamic balance”, whereas snowboarding only requires basic balance and coordination. Surfing happens in unpredictable ocean surf while snowboarding is easier because ski runs are more predictable. Ultimately Surfing is harder because it takes more skill to stand on the surfboard.