In the early 60’s, surfing captured the mind of America. So much so that magazines and movies even made their way to the midwest. And while the waves on the Great Lakes are nothing to write home about, a Michigander by the name of Sherman Poppen was inspired translate the sport into something that could be enjoyed on snow. Ultimately, Poppen would create “The Snurfer” in 1965.
In late 1979, Jake Burton would take that same design and through modifications and adjustments invent modern snowboarding alongside similar producers like Tom Sims.
Note: Many attribute the invention of snowboarding to both Sims and Burton.Â
The following film presented by BURN takes viewers from snowboarding’s humble beginnings on the slopes of Michigan and Vermont to world dominance as the most revolutionary invention in winter sports in the last 50 years.
Related:Â Then and Now | A history lesson for the new generation