Montpelier, Vermont - February 19, 2008
Vermont lawmakers are considering making snowboarding Vermont's state sport.
Young supporters of the bill make their pitch Tuesday at the statehouse. Students at the Swanton Central School say snowboarding should be the state sport because it's a good fit for Vermont. Burton started its company here and several big snowboarding competitions also take place here. Students also say by marketing Vermont as a snowboarding state it will help the economy by bringing more people here.
"One of the values of having a state sport is that it should increase the amount of money coming into our state. People coming here will purchase food drinks and a lift ticket at the resort. Another benefit of having a state sport is that it will encourage people to be active," said Jocelyn Shusda from Swanton Central School.
"When you look at it-- how the physics of it work are unbelievable-- to float on the snow like that on one edge or two edges instead of four like you do on skis-- I think it interests people by seeing the first look of it," said Chris Rotax of the Burton Snowboarding team.
And in case you were wondering-- skiing is already taken-- that's New Hampshire's state sport.
Kristin Carlson - WCAX News
