Did You Know That Snowboarding Was Invented in Muskegon, Michigan

Olympian Shaun White wouldn't have won 13 Gold Medals if it weren't for this Muskegon man.

A Michigan man created a toy for his kids on Christmas day of 1965 that changed winter sports according to wikipedia,

Modern snowboarding began in 1965 when Sherman Poppen, an engineer in Muskegon, Michigan, invented a toy for his daughters by fastening two skis together and attaching a rope to one end so he would have some control as they stood on the board and glided downhill.

The snowboard was originally called a snurfer since it was like surfing on snow.  Snurfing and snurfing competitions not only grew in popularity in the 80's in Michigan, it also took off nation wide.  Later snowboarding became a part of the X-Games. As it grew in popularity world wide it became a part of the Winter Olympics.

In March of 2020 Sherman Poppen will be inducted posthumously into the U.S. Ski-Snowboard Hall of Fame according to MLive,

He is among the 2019 class of “snowsport pioneers” who were chosen in August to be the newest members of the hall of fame.

Mr. Poppen, we salute you.