Top 5 worst snowboard inventions
Inspired by a post on Whitelines.com this week, we thought we’d rack our brains for the developments in snowboarding that... well... are less likely to become a global phenomenon. The following might not have the impact on the industry that triple base technology and reverse camber have had (which did seem a little wacky to start with), but they all deserve 10 out of 10 for insanity:
5) The Sno Deck
Pitched as “the winter alternative to skateboarding”, this is one of the many attempts to motorise a board. Unlike its competition, the Powerboard and the Snowcarver, this lacks speed... well, unless you forget about the motor and point it down a hill. But, if you do that, just make sure there isn’t a stream at the bottom of the hill (see 50secs in).
YOUTUBE[WYxhoUqL8F4]
4) Yibb
Fact: Hands are heavy.
Fact: You can't rest your hands on a regular snowboard.
Fact: Binding are expensive.
Solution: A snowboard with handles.
YOUTUBE[DyyfWqY9Jzk]
3) New Snowboard Design
This “freerides like a snowboard”, gives you “freedom like a surfboard” and allows you to do “tricks like never before”.... I'm in, where do I get one? And do the Flow bindings come with it? Even better!
Check out the video here.
2) Storm Snowboards
Myth: You have to be strapped in to turn
Myth: You have to turn to slow down
Myth: You have to face sideways to ride
Myth: You have to stand to ride a snowboard
Myth: You are perfectly sane if you think that riding a snowboard with no bindings and a foot break is the way forward.
YOUTUBE[6AT0TSfP3rI]
1) Bulldog's “Hybrid Ski”
This one’s courtesy of Whitelines, who I’m sure see more whacky ideas than most, as every hair brained snowboard inventor and their dog approach them for exposure. It’s not original thinking to try and turn skis into a snowboard; splitboards are an awesome invention. But Bulldog’s “hybrid ski” is a little more bizarre... and doesn’t seem like the most enjoyable thing to ride. I know, let’s progress snowboarding by reducing riding capability... but make it look really exciting by adding a hard-core metal sound track. Genius:
And finally...
We’ve got to give a mention to another ski to snowboard invention. It didn’t quite make the top five. As sketchy, out of control and unstable as the Deuce Snowboard looks, you’ve got to give props to the guy for putting his life on the line and getting a bit of speed up:
YOUTUBE[TOsUCBJ6EE4]
Want to know more about this ground breaking technology? Check out this “Disrupting the Snowboard Industry” article.
If you've seen some wacky snowboard inventions, paste them in the comments below! But if you'd rather just have fun on a snowboard that hasn't been tampered with the the point of uselessness, you should do it in Fernie, with us...
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