Types of snowboards: universal, for freeride, for freestyle

The most important condition for snowboarding is choosing the right board. At present, a lot of individual solutions are available for beginners. Let's consider the types of snowboards, which will initially determine the best option.

A short excursion into the history

It all began in 1965, when the American inventor Sherman Poppen decided to combine two broad skis into a single design, making such an original gift to his daughter. Initially, for holding on the board, there was no provision for fasteners, and the role of the control element was played by an ordinary rope attached to the bow of the product.

Several years passed, and the invention was used to conduct the competition. In one of them took part a young enthusiast Jake Burton. The idea so pleased the guy that soon they were organized by a whole company for the serial production of improved snowboards with foot fittings. As often happens with novelties, the invention caused a lot of interest. Various kinds of snowboards began to appear, which gave a significant impetus to the development of discipline. In the following, the brand Burton acquired the status of one of the most authoritative in the sphere of production of snowboards.

Freeride

This, perhaps, the most popular snowboards. In the presence of boards of this plan, the athlete has the opportunity to improve his skills both when riding on prepared tracks and during descent on rough terrain.

Suitable freeride-snowboard for beginners, who only make the first steps on the road to success. Successfully used by them and universal riders, that aspire to maximize their own style of skiing. In general, the boards of this type are the ideal means to get acquainted with the sport discipline and allow you to determine the personal requirements for projectiles for the future.

Freestyle

These are snowboards for athletes who prefer skating in parks, performing jumps with the help of springboards, and other auxiliary structures. These types of snowboards have an insignificant length, which facilitates the management. When doing stunts for a rider, it's extremely important to easily enter corners. High maneuverability of freestyle boards becomes the defining moment here.

Carving

Snowboards for carving are characterized by increased rigidity, have a narrow long blade. Such a structure is due to the need to develop higher speeds.

For skiing on these snowboards requires a good reaction, a proven technique and a good supply of experience. Therefore, boards for carving are usually purchased by professional riders.

Universal

Universal boards, or, as they are called in a professional environment, all-mountain, combine some features of all the above options. Despite this, the choice of such a board becomes an obvious disadvantage for athletes who plan to engage in driving in a narrowly focused style.

If you need a reliable children's snowboard, preference should be given precisely to the universal model. Such a solution will allow you to acquire basic driving skills and join the occupation of this sport.

The form

Continuing to consider the types of snowboards, it is worth noting some differences according to the form of construction:

1. Directional boards have a rigid narrow tail and a soft wide nose. A common practice when using such snowboards is the installation of attachments closer to the tail, which increases the control over the projectile while driving along a fresh, untouched layer of snow.
2. Symmetrical boards differ with absolutely identical stiffness indicators and the same shape in the nose and tail. This feature creates additional convenience when performing tricks, because in this case the athlete does not have to pick up the leading leg for moving forward.
3. Hybrid boards are something of an average between symmetrical and directional products. Due to the displacement of the fasteners to the tail section, optimal conditions for riding on fresh snow are created. Moving them to the center turns a snowboard into a convenient tool for performing tricks.

Snowboard: price

How much is a good board on the domestic market? If we talk about snowboards for beginners, the price of similar models starts from about 6000 rubles. However, these boards are suitable only for descents along the prepared routes.

When you need a projectile for aggressive skating, performing explosive tricks, it is worth choosing a professional snowboard. The price of products for a technical, the fastest and most maneuverable riding ranges from 25 000 to 35 000 rubles.

Tips for choosing

There are a number of points that are crucial in choosing a board:

1. If you need a shell for a beginner or a female snowboard, it's best to give preference to entry-level models. A highly specialized board, designed for a certain style of riding, will only interfere with acquiring basic driving skills.
2. For beginners who are oriented to a certain direction, it is better to pay attention first of all to universal boards. This will avoid buying an expensive model and determine your preferences.
3. The products of individual manufacturers differ in their level of rigidity. Determine the optimal parameter better independently, relying on personal convenience.
4. Today on sale there are enough boards of a separate type with similar characteristics. Therefore, choosing a snowboard (female or male), do not forget about the design. After all, the product should not only possess the necessary qualities, but also like the athlete.

Finally

As you can see, picking a snowboard of one kind or another follows with the mind. In such a difficult matter, one simple truth should be guided: no one has yet made a good rider buying an expensive model. Success here depends primarily on diligence and persistence in training.