Brooklyn school adds snowboarding to lesson plan

BOERUM HILL (WABC) -- A school in Brooklyn has added snowboarding to its lesson plan for kindergartners.

It's a young age and an unusual skill to be taught at school, but officials are hoping boarding will lead to healthier lives.

At PS 38 in Boerum Hill, kids are getting a chance to try something typically found only a snowy mountain.

Burton Snowboards took over gym class with special exercises to learn core strength, and different stations were set up for the students to get on the boards and to try a sport many of them have only seen on TV.

"It was a little bit hard because my feet couldn't balance," one youngster named Xavier said. "My legs couldn't go all the way down."

And Burton is happy to help.

"The kids dig it," Jeff Bobila said. "They pick up on it quick, and it's really exciting."

Burton has introducted the program in 11 different countries, and they chose Brookyln because they were already in the neighborhood.

"We have a flagship store in SoHo," Heff said. "This is our way to give back to schools."

The program is gaining popularity, and it can easily be taught by gym teachers. And some of the kids are quick learners, and at the end of the day, the only thing missing is real snow.