burton0114 lesson 2: introduction of the various of the snowboard

Boards or decks are categorized into one of four groups: race, alpine, all-mountain/all-around/free-riding and half-pipe/free-style. They range in lengths from under 100 cm to over 200 cm. Their construction is nearly identical to skis; a board has metal edges, side-cut and camber. All of the same materials are used. The real differences are in the shapes and flex patterns.

The term symmetry is used extensively in any discussion of boards. Because a board is ridden with one foot forward the turn dynamics are obviously different from a ski. A board can be symmetrical front to back and/or symmetrical side to side. Normally a ski is asymmetrical front to back and symmetrical side to side. Most boards have symmetry like skis.

Another term used to describe snowboard shape is "directional". As in: "This board is non-directional." A true non-directional board can have either end as the tip or tail since the binding inserts are centered. Usually the rider will have a preference to being regular or goofy and set-up the board accordingly.

Reasons for different symmetry configurations include:

Race:  These boards are used for downhill, GS and slalom racing. They tend to be stiff, narrow and long. They are designed for high speed use with long effective edges for carving turns.  
Alpine:  These boards tend to target crossover skiers. The design of these boards reflects that of a ski with many of the same characteristics and many even look like fat skis. Alpine boards are a little more common in the European Alps, than in North America.  
All-Around/Free-Riding:  This type of board is sometimes called all-terrain or all-mountain. They are designed for use in all snow conditions and most can even be ridden in the half-pipe very successfully. Maybe half of all boards sold in the U.S. are of this type.  
Half-pipe/Free-style:  These are boards designed for use in the half-pipe and for jibbing, bonking, and general freestyle moves. They tend to be more flexible with wider foot stances more centered on the board. The board probably has more nose and tail area and less effective edge than a board from the other categories. Boards in this category generally do not have good all-around utility because of their inability to hold an edge on hard snow and steep slopes. The board is generally more difficult to control due to the stance configuration.  
Swallow-tail:  These boards are designed for powder, whether it is in bounds or out of bounds. They are generally stiffer than freeride boards, and the tail has a V shape cut into it to enable the tail to sink into the snow raising the nose to provide float without zapping the legs. The nose of the board may be slightly wider than expected to provide another aid to float in the pow.  
Split board:  These boards are designed for the backcountry where there are no lifts. The board splits length ways down the middle, effectively forming 2 skis. The rider then uses these to get up the mountain in a manner that is less exhausting (and nearly always quicker) than hiking in your boots. Once at the top, the board is re-assembled and ridden down. Some split boards are also swallow tails, for that perfect powder day.

skydragon_wu

I agree that skiing and snowboard is cross language.
After i came to oversea, i found that english was damn important!
it is a basic skill for communication.
we should practise our english in order to communicate with forengners abroad, so that we can make friends with those people who are good at snowboarding.

steve

you are right - in europe everybody who snowboards can speak english, some words should definitly stay english (like trick description - how do you translata a "switchstance backside 540 mellon"? - impossible AND all over the world its called the same) though.

that is my last message in english - i promise

cxgtommy

我在想象，滑着滑着单板，突然掏出一本朗文查单词的情景

:)

I speak english only when the guy don't know chinese. My most of fans here got no language problem. Language is language. I think snowboard is corss language, just like music. right? man

cuddy

steve

dude, we are in china! nobody is going to learn english just becauz of snowboarding - you better learn chinese and bring all of the imput in chinese so EVERYBODY can read it.
respect

snowboard is a extremely international sports, and its originally from European.  i think its a good idea to talk about snowboard while we speaking english. because if you really like snowboard, and you want to be a professional boarder ,you have to speak english. And i think you know the reason why we have to. The reason is simple, you want be professional, and you know you are playing snowboard not table tenius. a internaotional sports base on the fun, challeng, high skillful and high level of fitness and good sence of knowlege.
  i want to make some suggetion,
1) if you are not physically good, i mean if you are fat, you better start diet and go to gym, because this is a game for stronger.

2) if you do not speak english, you may but may not be able to read magazine or liseten to the radio, you got start learning english, right now. Otherwise you will never become a professional, i believe all of you guys want snowboarding everywhere of the world, canada, japan, european, newzealand etc.

3) start to save money. its something cost you a lot. so neither you are millionare or someoneelse, you better save from now. the board is expensive, the binding is expensive, the appeal is expensive, the pants is expensive, the google is expensive and the lift, accomodation and food all expensive. you know that.

4) now you are ready to be trained like a professional.