SNOWBOARDSOverview, History, and Equipment

Greg Leonard Micah Emmitt

History Of Snowboarding

• Pioneer of Snowboarding is unknown• Originated around the late 1950’s by a few

skateboarding/surfing enthusiasts• Led to the innovation of the “Snurfer” in the 1960’s, which was

a cross between a sled and a skateboarding deck• Immediately frowned upon by skiers• Led to Snurfing “Off Piste”, or off the groomed ski slopes• Started to become more popular in the 70’s and 80’s• Dimitri Milovich and Jake Burton Carpenter came up with new

Snowboard designs and materials• Led to the modern Snowboard, Boots, and Bindings we are

familiar with today

History of Snowboards“The Snurfer”

Snowboards vs. Skis• 1983 – Less than 10% of ski resorts allowed

Snowboarding• By 1997, few resorts around the world excluded

snowboarding• Since 1997, the number of skiers has declined by 25%• The percentage of people who snowboard has increased by

77% since 1997• Snowboarding is the fastest growing winter sport in the US

today• Today, approximately 3.4 million people in the US

Snowboard• The number of people that snowboard is predicted to

outnumber the people that ski by 2015

vs.

Modern Day Snowboard Construction• Constructed of several layers of different materials• Bottom layer is UHMW (ultra-high molecular weight) polyethylene –

commonly called P-Tex (Brand Name)• P-Tex base is surrounded by steel edges so the board will dig into the

snow while turning• Next comes a fiberglass layer that provides strength and stiffness to

the board• The center of the board is a wooden or foam core that makes up most

of the thickness of the board.• The core contains metal inserts where the bindings will later be

attached• Another layer of fiberglass sits on top of the core• The top is a protective layer of plastic called a “top sheet”

How the Layers are Put Together• Each layer is put into a mold in the shape of a

Snowboard which acts like a waffle iron• Each layer is held together by an Epoxy glue• The mold is closed and the layers are cooked

together for approximately 30 min.• This process cures the adhesive, causing the liquid

glue to harden• The board is then removed from the mold and the

excess glue and material is scraped off• A thin layer of wax is applied to the bottom of the

board and it is ready to ride

Snowboard Construction

3 Types of Snowboards

1. FreeRide/All-Mountain Board2. Freestyle/Technical Board3. Carving/Alpine Board

• There is no such thing as a “bad board”. Even the lowest-quality boards of today are superior to boards made 5 years ago.

• Snowboarding mainly depends on the rider’s ability

FreeRide/All-Mountain Board• This is the best board for beginners• Most popular type of board; accounts for over ½ of all

Snowboard sales today• This is the “go anywhere, do anything” board. It is

designed for people who want to enjoy all aspects of the mountain

• These boards are soft and flexible so they are easy to maneuver

• They are fairly light so they have good lift-off for jumping• These boards are not as stable for carving as an Alpine

board

Freestyle/Technical Boards• Popular among young riders- also a good beginner board• Designed for performing tricks, spins, and jumps;

everything found in the snow park• These bards are shorter, lighter, and they are the most

flexible board so they are the easiest to maneuver• These boards are also the easiest to turn• They have limited edge grip and limited stability, which

makes them difficult for carving or going fast• Because of their design, these boards are the most

forgiving

Carving/Alpine Boards

• Narrow, stiff board designed for fast direction changes

• Not made for doing tricks• Usually a longer board that allows for better

stability when riding in fresh powder snow• Excellent boards for quick edge changes and fast

downhill speeds• Less forgiving on turns, so not good boards for

beginners• Usually the most expensive boards

Snowboard Characteristics• Length- the board should come between your nose and chin when

standing up on the ground• Width- usually depends on your foot size; the board should be

wide enough so your toes or heels don’t dig into the snow when turning

• Weight- lighter rider = lighter board, and vice versa• Price- anywhere from $99 to $700, depending on what you want

to (and can) spend• Graphics- many people consider this very important because it is

a personal reflection of themselves• Graphics should be considered only after all other characteristics

are taken into account, but this rarely happens. Most people buy a certain board because it looks cool

Snowboard Sizing Chart

Snowboard Bindings

• The primary function of Snowboard Bindings is to transfer the movement of your body to the board in the most efficient manner

• There are 3 types of Snowboard Bindings:1. Step-In Bindings

2. Strap-On Bindings

3. Flow-In Bindings

Step-In Bindings

• Allow your boot to attach to your board simply by stepping down and clicking into it

• Best for beginners because it is the easiest way to attach to your board

• Require Step-In Boots which are harder and stiff because you don’t have support from straps

• Not good for tricks or advanced riding because of lack of support

• Forces a limited selection of boots

Step-In Bindings

Strap-On Bindings• Original and most popular type of Snowboard Binding• This is because they are easily adjustable, more secure, and usually

more comfortable• Nowadays, these bindings are being made of lighter and stronger

materials• On the back there is a Highback Plate which supports the heel• On the front there are 2 or 3 straps (3 straps is uncommon) that

support the toe• Less convenient for beginners because they have to sit down to strap

their board on. However, once you become more experienced, you can strap in while standing

• Can use softer, more comfortable boots because the straps provide all the support

Strap-On Bindings

Flow-In Bindings

• Newer Hybrid version of Step-In and Strap-On Bindings

• Have the ease of a Step-In and the support of a Strap-On Binding

• Consists of a back plate lever that flips backward• You slide your foot forward into the binding and

fold up the back plate• These bindings are harder to adjust than Strap-On

Bindings

Flow-In Bindings

Snowboard Boots• Everyone has a different foot- so everyone prefers a

different boot• Harder, less flexible boots are used with Step-In

Bindings• Softer, flexible, and generally more comfortable boots

are used with Strap-On/Flow-In Bindings• Want your boot to be warm, waterproof, and comfortable• Too small of a boot will cause your feet to hurt• Too big of a boot is a problem because you will

experience heel lift- puts a gap between your foot and the board, which leads to less-responsive turning

Snowboard Boots

Other Snowboard Equipment

• Leash- strap that attaches your front boot directly to your board; required by most ski resorts to avoid runaway boards

• Stomp-Pad- textured pad that you stand your back foot on while coming off the chairlift

• Jackets/Pants/Gloves- main concerns are warmth and waterproof

• Goggles- avoid glare from snow, UV protection, and keeps the wind out of your eyes

Evaluation:

It is entirely up to YOU.

QUESTIONS???