Introduction
Dreams of hitting powdery snow slopes, spinning in the air and being viewed as an adrenaline junkie, no doubt there is something so intriguing about snowboarding. The uniqueness of the snowboard, the climatic conditions and of course the feeling can’t be quite beat. But what if you could create your own snowboard design, a way to individualize your board and even enhance your performance?
Believe it or not, for a very reasonable price, you can create your own unique snowboard. World renowned snowboard brands, like Burton and Salomon, will allow you to design your own custom snowboard, complete with unique graphics and personalized colours. Some websites even let you choose the type of snowboard, the shape, the flex, the camber and more to really customize the snowboard to your unique style. So if you ever wanted to create your own design and have the perfect board to call your own, read on and find out how to do just that!
Shape &Flex
The first decisions you’ll need make when designing your snowboard lies in the shape and flex you’re looking for. Snowboards comes in three main shapes; directional, directional twin, and true twin. Directional boards usually have a stiffer tail than nose and are made for riders that prefer to ride in one direction. Directional twin boards offer a symmetrical board with a slightly narrower tail for greater turning performance and are made for experienced riders that like to ride in both directions. Finally a true twin board offers identical nose and tail and is designed for riders that want a balanced ride and the ability to easily progress in their technique since the board will ride the same whatever direction you go.
The flex of a snowboard is determined by the amount of pressure needed to bend the length of the board. The more flex you need on a board, the softer the flex needs to be. Generally beginner to intermediate riders will prefer a board with medium to soft flex, as it is an easier board to control, while advanced riders tend to prefer stiffer boards because they offer a better edge hold.
Camber & Rocker
The camber of a snowboard is the curve of the board when it is laid flat on the ground. This camber can either be traditional camber, reverse camber (rocker) or a combination of both. Traditional camber is characterised by the centre of the board being near the ground when laid flat, providing optimal edge hold and turning power, making it great for experienced riders.
Reverse camber (rocker) boards are curved upwards from tip to tail and create a looser, skate-like feeling and are great for landings. They require less effort to turn and are usually the board of choice for beginners and intermediate riders, as they are easy to ride and turn and take the effort out of just about any manoeuvre. Combination camber boards take the best of both camber and rocker, providing more edge hold than a regular rocker board, as well as great pop, making them accessible to all levels, from beginners to professionals.
Core, Laminate & Sidecut
The core of a snowboard is the innermost layer and is composed of several different materials. The most common are wood cores, as they are lightweight and flexible, but there are also foam, aluminium, and fiberglass cores for light or heavy riders. Generally, lighter riders often prefer wood cores, while heavier riders prefer the extra strength and stiffness that aluminium or fibre-glass cores provide.
The laminate is the surrounding material that encases the core and can either be made of various woods, fibreglass, or graphite. The type of material depends on the amount of flexibility, durability, and weight desired. Wood laminates are relatively lightweight and are great for riders seeking a softer and more forgiving ride. Fibreglass adds stiffness, while graphite is even stiffer and provides greater edge control.
The last layer of the snowboard is the sidecut, which is a curved shape that allows the board to turn. The shape and depth of the sidecut depends on the riding style desired, so for all mountain boards, the sidecut will be deeper to provide greater manoeuvrability, while a semi-elliptical sidecut is designed for freestyle and park riding.
Bindings, Base and Base Tune
Once you’ve decided on the shape, flex, camber, core, laminate and sidecut of your snowboard, the next step is to decide on the bindings. There are a wide range of bindings to choose from, from traditional step in bindings to strap-in bindings, to more modern technology like Burton’s LTR speed lacing bindings. Step-in bindings are easy to put on and offer a more secure fit, while stride-in bindings are great for those looking for an even more custom fit.
Finally, the base and base tune are just as important, as it affects the speed and control of the board. Generally, boards come with a factory base, which is fine for most riders, but if you’re looking to really customize your board, then you can choose to get it tuned up with a higher quality base. Bases come in a variety of materials from polyethylene to extruded P-tex, to sintered bases, providing a range of different feel and speeds.
Conclusion
Designing a custom snowboard is a great way to separate yourself from the competition and to ensure a board that perfectly matches your own style and preferences. With the steps outlined above, you should be able to easily narrow down the different shapes, flexes, cores, laminates, sidecuts, bindings, and bases to find the perfect combination for you. Keep in mind that all snowboards are different, so by taking your time choosing the right components, you’ll be sure to end up with a one-of-a-kind snowboard that is tailored exactly to your preferences.
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