Individual and team sports have a lot of rules, both the written and the unwritten. One thing that may irritate opposing athletes or even fans is showboating. But what is showboating in snowboarding?
Showboating in snowboarding is performing an unnecessary trick during a professional contest or exaggerating your moves to your friends or strangers. Anytime you go out of your way to show off while snowboarding, it can be considered showboating.
This article looks at what showboating is in snowboarding. It will also provide examples of showboating going wrong… So read on!
Showboating While Snowboarding
Showboating while snowboarding is a frustrating behavior that some athletes and amateurs feel compelled to do to show off.
Ever seen a lift queue and pulled off an unnecessary trick nearby? Then you’re a showboater too!
Not that I’m completely innocent. I’ve definitely thrown down an (attempted) invert under the chairlift on occasion.
It’s usually uncalled for and doesn’t make the person doing it look any better. Here are some reasons why you shouldn’t really showboat while snowboarding:
- Snowboarding is an individual sport. You should be snowboarding to improve your overall skills and challenge yourself. Impressing other people isn’t the number one goal of the sport unless you are competing professionally. Even then, you should do your best to attempt a trick but not go out of your way to show off.
- It’s disrespectful. Showboating in snowboarding, as in other sports, can be an offensive display done to taunt other people. You might upset fellow snowboarders if you do this and cause unnecessary drama.
- You could get hurt. You often lose focus and concentration when you showboat. Performing an unplanned display usually involves exaggerated movements. There have been numerous injuries over the years involving athletes showboating, so it’s not recommended.
Showboating while snowboarding might also involve making a trick look drawn out and overdone so that you are mocking other snowboarders.
Or it might just mean throwing a trick out during a competition that isn’t needed because you have already won the event. Whatever the case, showboating is not recommended.
What Does Showboating Look Like?
Showboating can look like all kinds of different things. It is subjective, so it may not even be obvious to everyone. However, some things to look for when you suspect someone might be showboating include:
- Performing a trick when they don’t need to in a contest
- Adding an extra jump into their line after an event is over
- Moving their hands in a mocking manner
There is one very famous case of this happening, and it took years for the athlete to make up for it!
The Most Famous Case of Showboating In Snowboarding
Lindsey Jacobellis has had a fantastic career as a snowboarder. Sadly, one of her most memorable moments is for showboating.
During a snowboard cross event in 2006, Jacobellis had the race won until she decided to throw a trick in at the end to showboat. The Olympic athlete cost herself a gold medal!
She did of course win the silver medal, but she pretty much had the gold in the bag before throwing a method grab.
Here is a video showing the infamous showboating incident:
This remarkable moment is an excellent example of what showboating is in snowboarding… and the consequences of doing it.
Conclusion
Alright, it’s time I came clean. I’m actually a little bit of a fan of showboating.
I know, I know, it can be considered poor sportsmanship. But snowboarding at a high level takes a little bit of arrogance. If I land an insanely hard trick, you better believe I’m going to claim it!
Speaking of tricks.
Why not check out how to land a 1440 or triple cork. Good luck!
