The right choice of snowboard depends not only on the comfort of riding, but also the safety of the rider. It is necessary to take into account the height and weight of a person to determine the length of the board, the size of the foot of a man or woman - to select the width. About how to choose the right snowboard, which is suitable for a beginner athlete, advice from our experts.
How to choose a snowboard
Choosing a board only by price, appearance or rigidity is completely wrong. It is necessary to understand each characteristic and only then stop at a specific option.
Types of snowboards by purpose
The first thing to start with is understanding what exactly the snowboard is needed for and for what style of riding.
Universal. This type of snowboards for beginners or for those who want to try themselves in different styles of riding and learn to do basic tricks. The name speaks for itself - they are suitable for both mountain slopes and park style. These boards can be used on a variety of surfaces: from perfectly packed to loose, as well as on fresh fluffy snow.
Freestyle. These snowboards weigh less than universal ones, are longer and more flexible. They are designed for free riding with jumps and tricks on trampolines, rails, etc. You can ride down a slope on these boards, they are also suitable for tricks on mountain slopes. Freestyle requires a snowboard with a camber so that the center touches the ground and the edges are slightly raised up.
Freeride. These snowboards are designed for riding on slopes outside of prepared trails, that is, in natural terrain, where the surface can change. They are quite rigid, long and have a directional shape.
Carving. This is the name for high-speed descent from a slope. Boards for carving should be rigid and have good grip. These snowboards have special bindings and hard plastic boots. This is not the best option for beginners.
Jibbing. This is not only riding on prepared slopes, but also descending on rails. Jibbing has many tricks that require basic skills in handling the board. Beginners in this style are better off using soft boards to make it easier to learn. As your skills develop, you can buy a snowboard of medium hardness. In jibbing, the length is especially important - the shorter it is, the faster the snowboarder will rotate when turning, and the longer it is, the softer the landing will be.
Split snowboards. Such a board is divided into two equal parts - "skis". They can be separated and climbed up the slope, and then reconnected and descended.
Snowboard design
The service life of the board depends on the design. There are three types of design:
Cap. The core of the snowboard is covered with a monolithic cover on top, and a sliding surface on the bottom. The advantage of this design is that it is cheaper and easy to repair, but there is also a disadvantage - if a fall occurs, the cover can move away from the sliding surface. Sandwich. This is a multi-layer durable construction: the core, sliding surface and top cap are pressed under pressure. Such a snowboard is more expensive, and if it breaks, it will be more difficult to repair. Combined construction. In many models, both types are combined; due to the pressed ends, the board has high strength, and the cap in the middle keeps it light.