Let's get this out of the way: I'm a healthy athletic weight-challenged person. I bike, swim, rollerblade & run. I've grown tired of putting on pounds in the winter and paying for indoor gyms that make me feel like a hamster in a wheel. Not only that, but a close friend recently developed a sensitivity to the summer sun. So what's left to do if you can't be in the sun and you hate indoor exercise? Winter sports. I'm talking snowshoeing, hiking, XC skiing, downhill skiing, and my favorite of them all... snowboarding. I would have never thought that a fat... err heavy person can snowboard. But I can. I have great balance and I can maneuver my weight and the board really well.
I have been having a hard time finding good, accurate, information on a snowboard suitable for my size and weight. All anyone seemed to recommend were men's boards 160cm or longer. That's taller than I am. I've even asked a local ski shop and they kind of gave me this look meaning they didn't know what to tell me or how to help me. I asked specific questions about boards but they seemed afraid to give me the answer in fear that I might take their info and run to an online retailer and purchase the gear cheaper. But I was honest and explained I am looking for a local shop to call home, a place where the staff can get to know me, where I can buy my gear and bring it in for tune-ups. I felt hopeless and unsure in finding a local store that could help me find a board, until I drove by Skate Brooklyn. It was closed, but I spotted snowboards in the window. My heart raced. Checking Yelp, I saw they'd be open soon. I did an errand and came back.
Upon walking in I didn't see many snowboards. The section looked pretty slim but I was still excited. I saw the snowboard boots and I slowly skimmed the boards for any that I was familiar with or that had been recommended to me before. I felt a little nervous because when a heavy person walks into an athletic store people often look at you funny. I approached the counter and asked if there was someone I could talk to about snowboards and one guy smiled and said yeah and came out from behind the counter. I told him I had some questions. After he understood my concerns he launched into an enthusiastic explanation and description of all kinds of snowboards. As he explained the mechanics of the maneuvers that go with it, it was as if he was reliving his life's passion in front of us on a board with no bindings and no snow. I can see how he must be great at boarding and found myself wishing I could sit on the snow and just watch him and his buddies do what they love to do. Now this was the kind of help I had been looking for: someone who listens, who shares my love for the sport, and who doesn't look at me like an alien from outer space.
I asked, "So you're sure that when I come to buy a board you will find something suitable for me?" He simply said, "Of course!" He joked, we laughed, and he hit the nail on the head answering all my questions. My friend kept running out to feed the parking meter while we chatted away like old buddies talking about our favorite sport. Before we said our goodbyes we shook hands and exchanged names. He was Chris, the new store manager. I am definitely coming back to this shop to get my board and boots and anything else I need.
A couple more things: they also run bus trips to places like Hunter Mountain and they hope to soon be able to rent out equipment. read more
