Extreme sports didn’t always been given the respect that they now get. Every extreme sport from skateboarding, snowboarding to motocross and surfing have had to wait to gain the recognition they deserve. As a result of this new found recognition many sports brands have now emerged producing equipment, clothing and footwear for their respective sports. Many of these apparel and footwear companies have grown and crossed over into the mainstream. For many of these clothing and footwear brands this is something that was never planned and just happened to them as many of these brands were started by skateboarders, surfers and other enthusiasts.

Etnies skate shoes and clothing was started by a young skater called Pierre Andre Senizergues when he moved to California in the 80’s to pursue his dream of becoming a pro. Senizergues went on to win a number of European and World championships and made a name for himself as a pro skateboarder. In 1988 Senizergues began designing and testing his own brand of Etnies skate shoes in order to create footwear that was comfortable, stylish and durable.

In the years that followed the Etnies brand began to gain recognition and were being sold across the globe. You can now find footwear like this in all parts of the world much like other brands. Now it is possible to find everything from Etnies in Trowbridge to DC skate shoes in Bath. During this time Pierre looked to expand his apparel and sneaker empire under the Sole Technology label by expanding to feature three other clothing and footwear labels to compliment the Etnies brand; Es, Emerica and Thirty Two. The Sole Technology Institute was set up to research into the impact and movement caused by skateboarding on the human body in order to produce better footwear.

Used snowboards are a great alternative to buying new snowboards because new snowboards can be quite pricey, and if you are a beginner, not sure if this is something you want to be doing, you may not want to invest a lot of money in your equipment. The best way to get started, save some money and still have a decent board is to check into used snowboards. There are some things you need to learn if you are going to be a snowboarder.

No matter the sport you are getting into, you need the right equipment. If you don’t have the right equipment, then performance will be a huge problem.

Here are the basic guidelines for buying used snowboards:

1. Find a board that fits you. Used snowboards come in all sizes for all ages. When you have a board that is fitted for you, your learning process is going to go so much easier.

2. If you are a skier, then you will notice that the snowboard is shaped similar to a ski. If you are transitioning from skiing to snowboarding, you will have an easier time than a newbie to the sport.

3. There are several types of snowboards ranging from freestyle, free ride, alpine and race snowboards. These boards are popular with the beginners because they are easier to use than the other types. On a freestyle board, the ends are the same, so there is no front or back. These used snowboards are great for learning on and practicing and learning new tricks. If you do get this type of board, you want to use a soft, short shoe.

4. Free ride snowboards are very versatile in the types of conditions used. If you are a newbie or an amateur, this is not the best board for you. The more accomplished snowboarder can use this board on all kinds of snow and ground quality. This is a longer, narrower board than the free style and not as flexible. The free ride board works well with soft, taller shoes and soft bindings.

5. Racing or alpine use snowboards are used in many of the major competitions and by professional boarders. It has an increased stability due to its thinness, making it easier to pick up speeds, making the fast, sharp turns so much easier. You will want a shoe that resembles a ski shoe, providing your more control and support.

6. It is important to remember that your legs as well as the rest of your body need to be relaxed. You run the risk of fall and injury if you are tense. It is very important to keep your knees loose and bent, do not lock your knees. You need to be able to absorb the bumps and pressure you meet.

You will find many varieties of cheap used snowboards at http://www.used-snowboards.net/.