Comparing Recreation Ski Equipment With Ski Racing Equipment, Research Paper Example

The early skis that were designed for recreation and sport were made from a single piece of wood, usually hickory, but laminated or covered construction started to be used in the 1930s.  During the 1950s, plastic running planes on the bottom of the skis improved their speed together with durability.  By the 1990s, the skis were classically made by making foam core surrounded by wood, covering both layers with the fiberglass put together with Kevlar, titanium or even carbon for stability, and lastly adding a plastic base.  Skiing is a sport or a recreational activity that is mostly done in the cold or snowy parts of the world. The term skiing comes from the word ski which means a flat equipment that is long usually put on the feet and facilitates easy movement on the snow due to their smooth surface.  The introduction of skiing had an original aim of allowing easy traveling through the snow.  That is why the equipment used for recreational skiing or ski racing are usually the same.  There are some considerable differences between recreational ski equipment and ski racing equipment specifically relating to their ease of use, cost, and their functionality.

As an activity done on snow and in a cold environment, it is obvious that one will need to wear warm attire to avoid the dangers of frost bite and hypothermia.  First of all, it is important to wear a warm jacket and boots that each come in many different types and colors to fit the specific needs of the skier.  The boots and jacket are designed to keep the person warm, but they are also designed to put on as easily as possible.  In fact, there are boots with a rear-entry which many people prefer because they are easier to put on and wear than the boots that are front-entry (Wickham, 2009).  Another important piece of skiing equipment is the skiing poles which are used both for racing and recreation.  Currently, there are adjustable skiing poles that people prefer because they give the skier the option to change the length of the pole based on the skiing terrain.  Steep terrains require much longer poles and flat terrains require shorter poles to give more push and increase the speed of the skis, a particularly important trait for ski racing. The poles are designed to click in and out of position very easily and can be used by very advanced or novice skiers of any level.  Finally, a skier has to have a specific type of underwear, eyewear, and helmet to help protect the body against the cold and damage in case of a crash.  Likewise, this equipment is necessary in both ski racing and recreational skiing.  However, most recreational skiers take helmets for granted and do not use them, but advanced skiers in ski racing are required to use helmets for proper protection because of the increased risk of crashing at such high speeds.  For this reason, designers have made helmets very sturdy to protect against even the worst crashes in ski racing or the smallest bumps in recreational skiing.  Each form of equipment is designed to be easily used and reduce any restriction of the skier’s movement as much as possible.

One of the most important differences between ski racing and recreational skiing equipment is based on the costs.  For instance, basic eyewear is essential to protect the eyes from any falling debris or the dangerous impact of a crash.  According to ReliableRacing.com (2009), ski racers can purchase goggles at a low cost of $29.95 or as high as $139. The only major difference between the costs is durability and brand name.  On the other hand, a well-renowned recreational skiing web site sells protective goggles for recreational skiers at a low cost of $18.93 (REI.com, 2009).  However, it is important to note that the buyer must dig deep within the web site to find this low cost for adults; the typical cost for recreational goggles is upwards of $75.  There is not an extremely major difference in cost; however, the recreational web site promotes more expensive goggles to make novice skiers feel as though they are buying a very good product, while experienced racers know that there are great deals for goggles that all perform the same duties.  There are no major differences between brand or ease of use with goggles, so the price becomes the major factor in a buyer purchasing the equipment.  Ski racers choose cheaper, reliable equipment because they are more likely to break with a harsh crash.  A recreational skier purchases expensive gear so that the gear will never break and will last for a very long time, while providing more safety than inexpensive gear.

Finally, there are a few differences between racing equipment and recreational equipment based on functionality.  For instance, racers do not want to wear large, puffy jackets that take up more space, increase the weight on the skis, and also increase wind resistance that slows down the skier.  Equipment is designed for racers to move faster, ski lighter, and still maintain their safety and warmth.  Ski racers have been blessed with the advent of lighter fabric, such as those produced by Under Armour that help keep the person warm while reducing the weight of the clothing they are required to wear.  On the other hand, recreational skiers do not care so much about weight, wind resistance or speed.  For this reason, many manufacturers produce equipment that varies in color, but is extremely warm, bulkier and very protective. Not only does this increase the cost of recreational skiing, but it can also reduce the mobility of the skier. However, the recreational skier is not interested in increased mobility; they are only concerned with having fun and enjoying themselves.  Therefore, the functionality of the equipment for each type of skiing varies slightly, but the general intentions of their use are very similar – keep the skier warm and keep them safe.

Most of the equipment used in ski racing and recreational skiing are intended to maintain safety and warmth for the skier.  There are very interesting differences between these two types of skiing equipment that are based around their easy-to-use qualities, overall costs, and their actual functionality.  Recreational skiers are more concerned with looking good and feeling safe, so they purchase more expensive, bulkier equipment that can be a little more difficult to put on than racing equipment.  On the other hand, ski racers are highly concerned with increased speed, low wind resistance and safety.  Therefore, skiing equipment for racing is designed to be lighter, more flexible to increase mobility, and continue to maintain the safety measures for higher-impact crashes.  Ski racing equipment is usually a little more inexpensive because of how often they may break from crashes during practice or actual competition, and they must be extremely easy to use in order to ensure there are no problems when the skier is performing at high speeds.  The functionality, cost, and ease of use are slightly different for each type of skiing, but the overall intentions are the same and those are to keep the skier safe, warm, and protected and all times.

References

ReliableRacing.com. (2009). Goggles. Retrieved on October 9, 2009, from Web site: http://www.reliableracing.com/category2.cfm?category=3420&header=GOGGLES

REI.com. (2009). Ski Goggles. Retrieved on October 8, 2009, from Web site: http://www.rei.com/category/40004356

Wickham, J. (2009, June 9). Shopping For Ski Equipment. Retrieved on October 9, 2009, from Web site: http://ezinearticles.com/?Shopping-For-Ski-Equipment&id=2347231