A little basic knowledge will take you a long way. Simply by knowing the type of boarding you will be doing, you can start to make decisions on board length, width, sidecut, flex, scoop and the materials used. Selected boards can be purchased online at R&R Sport, but, if possible, you should consider a visit to your nearest R&R Sport store for best selection and expert advice.

 

As snowboarding grows in popularity, so does your choice of boards. Now some snowboards come in gender sizes and styles instead of simply one unisex size. Because women tend to be shorter than men, have shorter legs and smaller feet, women may want to look for a board that is softer, lighter, narrower and/or shorter. The same rule applies for children.

 

Are you a beginner, intermediate or advanced boarder? Are you aggressive or less aggressive? There are different boards for all levels--a few common-sense rules apply: If you are a beginner, look for basic gear that is less expensive and that allows you to explore different styles of riding. If you are an intermediate boarder, you probably know the basics but want a board to start exploring, do some tricks or try more difficult terrain. If you are an advanced boarder and you can handle any terrain or snow condition, you need a high-performance board.

 

What Type of Snowboarder are you ?

When making this decision consider what part of the mountain you will be riding. Is it steep, hardpacked or powder? Will you be at a ski area or in the backcountry? Do you want to cross over to more than one type of snowboarding? Are you interested in a high-performance specialized board or one board that can do a variety of things? By determining where you want to ride and your own ability this will help make narrow your decision down to a few selected models of board which can again be further refined depending on your style.

 

As a guide if you enjoy carving the piste, riding forward and speed then look at the more freeride orientated boards. For park/pipe and rails as well as riding switch then a freestyle board is probably more to your liking. Still not sure but want a single board for everything then consider the All Mountain boards as these will allow you to ride powder, shred the piste, and pop into and out of the park.

Length:

To choose the right board length, simply factor in your height, weight and the type of snow and terrain you expect to see. In general, shorter boards are more maneuverable while longer boards take more energy.

 

Your Height:

In general, a board that stands between your chin and nose is considered a good length.

 

Your Weight:

This is important because you need to be able to flex the board to do turns or tricks. If you are heavier than average, move to a longer board for better flotation. If you are lighter than average, choose a shorter board to get the best maneuverability.

 

Width:

Another factor in selecting a board is your boot size. Snowboarders with a boot size of men's 10.5 or larger may have "boot drag" on a standard-width board. Boot drag is when the toe and heel of your boot extend over the edges of the board. To alleviate this, you can either increase your stance angle so the boot is brought closer to the board, or buy a wider board for riders with big feet. A wide board gives you greater stability and flotation.

 

Flex:

If you are a beginner or prefer snowboard parks or the half-pipe, consider a more flexible board. A softer board turns at lower speeds, and it can take short turns. If you are more advanced and like all terrain, a stiffer board will give you great control on turns, but if the board is too stiff, you may not be able to flex it. If visiting a store, you can compare the flex of a board by pushing it in the centre while it is standing upright.

 

Sidecut Depth:

Sidecut is a measure of the turning radius. The smaller the radius measurement, the sharper the turns it can make. The longer the sidecut measurement, the wider the turns.

 

Effective Edge:

The effective edge is the part of the board that is in contact with the snow. The longer this edge, the greater stability there is at high speeds and the more the edges will grip in turns. The shorter the effective edge, the easier it is to initiate turns and spins.

 

Camber:

Camber refers to the tension of the board--it increases or decreases depending on how much weight you have on the board. A less cambered board is more maneuverable, while more camber makes a board more stable. A reverse camber gives you more lift in powder.

 

Core material:

Wood or foam is usually used for the board's core. Wood cores are the most common since they are firm, durable and responsive. Foam cores are softer, discourage vibrations and are more flexible, but they are less responsive than wood.

 

 Bases are usually made from polyethylene and are either sintered or extruded. Sintered bases are made by heating powder polymers. They are durable, fast and hold wax well. Extruded bases are made by forcing polymer through a die. They are easy to repair and less expensive.