Snurfer

The Snurfer is an early snowboarding toy developed by Sherman Poppen in 1965 in Michigan, United States. The name blends snow and surfer, signaling its surfing-inspired riding style. The toy consisted of a single flat board created by fastening two skis together side by side. There were no bindings; riders stood on the board and held a rope attached to the nose to steer, using body weight and the rope to control direction.

Design and use evolved from a simple toy to a widespread phenomenon in the late 1960s and into the 1970s. Riders could steer by pulling the rope and shifting their weight, and the rope sometimes included a handle for easier control. The lack of bindings meant riders were free to move their feet for balance, which influenced early ideas about stance and maneuverability in snow riding.

Impact and legacy are centered on the Snurfer’s role as a precursor to modern snowboarding. It popularized riding downhill on a single board and helped establish a cultural foothold for the sport in North America. Over time, enthusiasts experimented with board shapes, bindings, and safety gear, contributing to the evolution of snowboards as engineered sport equipment.

Today, the Snurfer is recognized as a milestone in winter sports history. It is often cited in histories of snowboarding as a bridge between toy design and the development of contemporary boards, and original examples remain of interest to collectors and museums.