Beware of Your Kids Taking Up Snowboarding Competition

If you’re a snowboarder, your participation in the sport may not be limited to your own turns down the mountain. You may find out that your children want to participate in competitive events. Watch out; that may break the bank.

The Pocono Record makes this point in an article published earlier this year. (“Snowboarders pay price for fame, glory,” January 7, 2008)

It mentions a series of competitions at the local and regional level that culminate in a national event held in Colorado. The competitions are sanctioned by the United States of America Snowboard Association (USASA), the leading organization for amateur events.

“But many children who qualify for nationals don’t get to go,” we read. “Why? Their parents would have to spend a fortune to take them there.”

Consider that as a parent taking your children to regional events you’re already paying a significant chunk of change for lift tickets, food, gas, gear, team fees, event fees and hotel bills. The costs multiply at the national level:

“Stephen and Shirley Messina of Churchville in Bucks County estimate they spent $10,000 to bring their sons Stephen, 17, and Christopher, 13, to the 2007 Nationals in Lake Tahoe, Calif.”

The reason: hotels, tickets, registration fees, and food, among other things.