ILFlatlander

OK, I'm ready to take some heat for this suggestion, but try using ski poles the first few times out.  You may look a little goofy (at my age, who cares), but you'll spend a lot less time sitting on the ground nursing sore body parts.  The poles will also:1.  make stepping into your back binding much easier (no sitting required);2.  make getting up easier when you do fall; and3.  allow you to keep upright when you catch a toe or heel while going slow!For skiers, the transition to life as a boarder will be much easier with two old friends (poles!) by your sides.  Poles will also help newbies without ski experience to avoid much pain after the first day out.  It's your call, poles or pain? Poles will make your first few attempts at snowboarding alot less painful and more fun.  Give it a try!