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I have spent a lot of time working, managing and generally
hanging around in snowboard shops and whenever I have
to kit someone out these are the questions and advice
I will give to someone.
Buying snowboarding kit can be a daunting task if you've
never had to choose your own equipment before, staff
in shops usually look like they have been awake for
days, trust me though, they are usually dead friendly.
There is also a multitude of different boards, boots,
bindings and accessories out there, each catering for
different styles of riding and riders, this guide can't
possibly tell you what is good and what sucks but it
will give you some advice on how to go about buying
a new setup.
Go to a shop that is owned and staffed by Snowboarders.
I can't stress this fact enough, when you buy from these
people you are helping keep a vibrant scene alive, plus
the fact that the staff there probably eat, drink and
sleep snowboarding, and know more than you about all
the products out there.
Arm yourself with knowledge. Every year at the
beginning of the season the three main snowboard magazines
in England publish buyers guides, which will have most
boards, boots and bindings in them. Read through these,
see what people have written about them and find a few
things you like the look of and then ask to see them
when you go to your local shop.
DonŐt be afraid to ask questions. You want everything
to be exactly right, you're potentially spending a substantial
amount of money in their shop and if they are worth
their salt then they will have enough time to kit you
out in the right gear.
Spend time trying on alternatives, looking at
different options, listen to the assistant, find out
how much riding they have done. You may well be talking
to a seasoned pro who has been riding for over ten seasons,
who is going to have a wealth of knowledge just waiting
to be tapped.
Don't buy your kit at the Ski Shows or at Board X.
There are so many people at these events and space is
limited, chances are you won't find the elusive bargain
that people seem to hope for, however, it is a good
time to get advice. For instance, the Snowboard Asylum
employs some of Britain's best, who are on hand throughout
the Ski Show and Board X for tips and advice.
Also think about where and when you are going to use
your new pride and joy. Down the dryslope five nights
a week? You are going to need something that is robust
enough to take that kind of abuse and that normally
costs. However, you don't need to spend five hundred
smackers on a Burton Dragon if you are going to use
it once a year, and it won't act like a fanny magnet,
either.
Think about what type of riding you are going to be
doing. Pipe monkey or bearded powder junkie? Do you
want to go fuck off fast, or crawl along the piste buttering
your muffin? Also weigh yourself, don't think lying
about your weight will work, your assistant can tell
if you've eaten all the pies, and after all, it's all
about the personality, eh Boys? Girls?
Once you have made your decisions and parted with a
fat wad, then take that bad boy home and position it
in your house so that you can see it from all available
angles, get your favourite stickers out and spend hours
positioning them just right. Strap in and bounce on
your bed, EVERYONE does it when they get new kit, pros,
beginners alike, that is what it's all about.
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