An athlete from the national snowboarding team trains with a jet-powered surfboard developed by Zhejiang University. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

Researchers from the prestigious Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province have made possible the training of Chinese snowboarders with cutting-edge technology, local media outlets reported.

It has been discovered that snowboarding works in a similar manner to surfing, making it possible for snowboarders to practice even on scorching summer days.

By calling together a group of experienced mechanical and electronic engineers, the research team developed a kind of jet-powered surfboard equipped with special sensors, data acquisition cards, and measurement and control 4G cloud boxes to collect real-time data on skiing speed, acceleration, angle, and yaw rate.

The data can help athletes and coaches get a clearer understanding of their training and work out more targeted training plans.

The surfboard also features an early warning system that will work when the movement of an athlete doesn't meet or approach the skiing movement target. After long-term training, the snowboard monitoring system can gradually establish a key action database for skiers, visually displaying their own strengths.

Snowboarding is the "youngest" among Winter Olympic sports, as it was named an official medal event in 1998.

The surfboard collects real-time data on skiing speed, acceleration, angle, and yaw rate. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]