Fans of winter extreme sports know what freeride is. The snowboard for this discipline is not just a board, but a carefully thought-out device, which, coupled with additional ammunition, allows you to overcome snow barriers. In this matter, many aspects play a role, there are no trifles. In time to slow down or make a feint for a turn - all this borders on life and death, without exaggeration. The main judges here are snowdrifts, ice tinctures and unpredictable weather.
How to choose the size of a snowboard?
There are three main types of snowboards (snowboards). They differ from each other, depending on the track and sports discipline, as follows:
- Freeride - a board for skiing on deep snow in the mountains.
- Freestyle - performing various stunt combinations, including ski jumping.
- Discipline All Mountain (for beginners) - universal boards for riding in parks and on mountain slopes.
The next selection criterion is the size of the snowboard ( size ). In fact, this is the length of the board between the two extreme points (nose and tail). This parameter is the main one when selecting an element. It depends on what style of riding an athlete prefers, and how experienced he is. In stunt competitions, short boards are used, and a freeride snowboard is longer, due to the peculiarities of skiing.
Beginner freeriders are advised to ride soft snowboards, as they are easier to manage. The average and maximum stiffness indicator is for the masters of this sport, and the latter option is not very popular.
Freeride boards APO
Equipment for the discipline under consideration is engaged in many companies around the world. Consider some brands and brief product specifications. We will start our review of freeride snowboards with the French brand APO.
This brand, like many competitors, is gradually moving away from the production of universal snowboards and is trying to develop freestyle and freeride trends. For the second discipline, original Apocalypse modifications are provided. They are distinguished by a new design, a high rate of rigidity, with a classic deflection to stabilize the board at speed. There was a novelty from this company called Spray, which is equipped with a large blunt nose and a noticeable shank. The size of the novelty is 1.6 meters.
Atomic Brand
This company pleased fans of extreme winter sports with the modernization of the aesthetic plan that the freeride snowboard has undergone in the new series. The Banger version now has a poplar core and a special design addition that allows you to confidently feel fast and sharp turns.
The main novelty of Atomic is the Sire Float lot. This modification is distinguished by a robust work platform, a small radius, the presence of a rocker on the bow and a back deflection of the type of sports ski. After conducting test checks, the board showed excellent performance in deep and medium powder.
Bataleon and Burton
This brand does not change the technology of Triple Base Tech. Branded snowboards remain authentic, but the “Battalion” is developing the appearance. Now the bow and stern of these boards resemble a boat in shape. The middle part, which became wider, also underwent minor changes, which improved the reaction of the board. This allows you to use the device for skiing in the park and on the mountain range.
Another well-known brand in the field of snowboarding, Burton has introduced minimal changes to the brand freeride boards. Unique modifications of Malolo and Supermodel are discontinued, but a new model with the original name "Barracuda" has appeared. It combines a wedge-shaped, Flain profile and Burton Squeezebo technology.
Other manufacturers
Among the companies that produce snowboards for freeriding, the rating of the Polish brand Contract Snowboards allows you to compete on equal terms with leading manufacturers. The team has released a decent line in this segment. The first Code model is characterized by torsion stiffness, has a radius for large turns of about twenty meters. The second version of Yeti is a board similar to the first modification, which also has a wedge-shaped design, and the rack on it is shifted closer to the tail. New sizes: from 1.49 to 1.59 m.
The permanent leader among manufacturers of freeriding boards is Lib Tech and Gnu. Of particular note are a couple of models: Birdman and La Nina mc. The first option is a power boat with a toe, which occupies a third of the length of the board, which is optimal only for deep snow. The conceptual model of La Nina is focused on freeride, but it can be used as a universal device. Among the updates of this series, it is worth noting the presence of a rocker between the mounts, the familiar camber in the bow and a similar element on the tail.
Snowboard suit
No less important role than the board is played by the freerider equipment. It should not only protect the athlete from the cold, but also guarantee him safety, since this sport is very traumatic.
The freeride track is unpredictable and fraught with many dangers and traps. For protection, a special ammunition kit is provided. Clothing should be functional and not restrict the movement of the rider. There are several layers that a snowboard suit has, namely:
- Thermal underwear. Protects the athlete from hypothermia, absorbs excess moisture. It should always fit tight on the body and can be made from synthetic materials, fleece or wool.
- Fleece layer. The main task of this layer is to provide body heat and to allow evaporation from linen to the membrane without causing discomfort to the rider.
- The final layer is membrane protection from wind and rainfall.
Protective gear
There are several more mandatory elements of equipment that are necessary for the athlete. In addition to the costume, you will need the following equipment for freeride: snowboard, helmet, gloves, mask and additional protection.
When choosing a helmet, you must pay attention to the marking. This protection should well cover important areas of the head and neck, while allowing you to hear the sounds of danger (warnings of other athletes or the noise of an approaching avalanche). The mass of the helmet also plays a role. It is best to choose an element with high strength characteristics and low weight.
Additional protection is a set of the following important elements:
- armor protection of the back, ribs, elbows, knees and other joints at risk;
- special shorts protecting the tailbone and hips;
- gloves (leather or artificial with a special coating);
Do not neglect these means, since soft snow is often replaced by hard infusion, which is very unsafe at speed.
Footwear
The right size of the snowboard, shoes and other equipment are important components in this sport. Regarding shoes, it should be noted that it should be comfortable inside and provide good grip.
The stiffness of the shoes is selected according to the individual characteristics and requirements of the athlete. It should be borne in mind that the stiffer the shoes, the more accurate the interaction of muscle effort with slippery surfaces and edges.
findings
Freeride, for which snowboarding has its own characteristics, is a fairly popular type of winter sport, as well as an entertaining activity. At the same time, skiing in the snow in the mountains is a rather dangerous thing, requiring some preparation, skill and concentration. Having decided to go in for freeride, one should not neglect protective devices that can save not only health but also life.
When choosing a snowboard, several factors must be considered. For beginners, a board with increased flexibility, which is easier to manage, is suitable. The size of the device also plays an important role. Additional functionality makes the board more expensive, but adds manageability and stability.