What was the first snowboard ever made?
The world's first snowboard, invented in 1965, was called the Snurfer and cost just $15.
Created by Sherman Poppen by bolting two skis together, the Snurfer was a simple but revolutionary design. It had no foot bindings, so riders gripped a rope attached to the front for balance and control. Despite its basic construction, this ingenious toy became a commercial sensation, selling over a million units and sparking the birth of snowboarding as a global sport.
Nerd Mode
In December 1965, Sherman Poppen of Muskegon, Michigan, invented the Snurfer after watching his daughter attempt to stand on her sled. He fastened two 36-inch skis together and attached a rope to the nose for rider control. His wife Nancy created the name by blending the words "snow" and "surfer." Poppen licensed the design to the Brunswick Corporation, which manufactured and sold each board for approximately $15.The Snurfer lacked the metal edges and foot bindings found on modern snowboards, making it considerably more difficult to maneuver on icy slopes. Nevertheless, it became a massive commercial success, selling over 500,000 units by 1966 and eventually exceeding one million total sales. This popularity led to the first Snurfing competitions in 1968, which drew future industry pioneers like Jake Burton Carpenter.Carpenter advanced the design by adding foot straps, transforming the toy into a high-performance sports instrument. While Poppen's original design used laminated wood, it established the foundation for today's multi-billion dollar snowboarding industry, now recognized by the International Olympic Committee. The Snurfer was officially inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2012, solidifying its legacy as a cultural icon in winter sports history.
Verified Fact
FP-0003350 · Feb 18, 2026