Aging accidental boarder needs board advice - Snowboarding Forum

Deeplyfelt · 11-04-2012, 01:47 PM

Hmm. Accidental boarder? At 53 I went to our local hill, Whitewater, with my hubby and kids planning to rent a board, try it, probably hate it and then head indoors to drink beer. Which is what happened when I tried skiing years earlier! But once I got out there in the bunny hill I fell (literally of course) in love. Unfortunately that first season I tore the meniscus in my right knee in week 4. (Getting off the lift to my chagrin)

After an operation to fix that I started my second season with a second hand 144 Option board, 24/7 bindings and Ride single boa boots. The boots were the best fit I could find but still had a small amount of heel lift. Learning went slowly that winter. I became fairly competent at getting off the lift and used only green runs.

Last year I kept the board and boots but exchanged the bindings for Burton stilettos. Made an enormous improvement in my board control. Advanced from greens to some blues and began using the scary lift on the summit side by the end of the season.

I am beyond stoked for this season. I just got a new pair of Ride double boa boots with NO heel lift which I hope will make the same kind of tweak in my board control as the bindings did.

Now I'm considering a new board too. The Option has beautiful graphics - a goddess no less - but she's a bit catchy and beginning to delaminate a bit.

I am 5'2" & weigh under 110 lbs. I would describe myself as a 'slow' boarder who likes groomers with some powder on top best. I rarely venture far off the groomers. My elderly knees hate moggles and I don't jump. Not exciting to most of you I know but I love it. I want to do this for as long as I can. My next goal is to feel confident on green runs and mabe make it to riding the Glory Chair by season's end.

So, my new council, what suggestions do you have for me about boards?
Blessings & Good Cheer
Helen

ARSENALFAN · 11-04-2012, 02:17 PM

I know your question is about boards, but just wanted to drop you a line and throw some positive vibes your way. I am 40 and just got back into the game. I think I am going to start a thread to encourage snowboarders over 40 to keep in shape, keep riding and see how old we can get on the hill. I hope to be out there until 80 at least, god willing

Bones · 11-04-2012, 04:31 PM

I can't claim to know a lot about women's boards as I haven't shopped around for a while. So I'll defer to the more knowledgeable.

First off, Shayboarder.com seems to know their stuff especially when it comes to women's gear.

Names/brands that I have heard good things about or have friends that ride/like

Never Summer Lotus or Infinity
Roxy Eminence
Gnu B-Street

tdn · 11-04-2012, 04:50 PM

I was going to recommend shayboarder.com as well. I don't know much about male decks, never mind female decks. I see more and more mature

boarders every season and it's refreshing.

Lamps · 11-04-2012, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deeplyfelt

Hmm. Accidental boarder? At 53 I went to our local hill, Whitewater, with my hubby and kids planning to rent a board, try it, probably hate it and then head indoors to drink beer. Which is what happened when I tried skiing years earlier! But once I got out there in the bunny hill I fell (literally of course) in love. Unfortunately that first season I tore the meniscus in my right knee in week 4. (Getting off the lift to my chagrin)

After an operation to fix that I started my second season with a second hand 144 Option board, 24/7 bindings and Ride single boa boots. The boots were the best fit I could find but still had a small amount of heel lift. Learning went slowly that winter. I became fairly competent at getting off the lift and used only green runs.

Last year I kept the board and boots but exchanged the bindings for Burton stilettos. Made an enormous improvement in my board control. Advanced from greens to some blues and began using the scary lift on the summit side by the end of the season.

I am beyond stoked for this season. I just got a new pair of Ride double boa boots with NO heel lift which I hope will make the same kind of tweak in my board control as the bindings did.

Now I'm considering a new board too. The Option has beautiful graphics - a goddess no less - but she's a bit catchy and beginning to delaminate a bit.

I am 5'2" & weigh under 110 lbs. I would describe myself as a 'slow' boarder who likes groomers with some powder on top best. I rarely venture far off the groomers. My elderly knees hate moggles and I don't jump. Not exciting to most of you I know but I love it. I want to do this for as long as I can. My next goal is to feel confident on green runs and mabe make it to riding the Glory Chair by season's end.

So, my new council, what suggestions do you have for me about boards?
Blessings & Good Cheer
Helen

My wife rides a burton feather, very friendly, catch free board, probably a good match for the stilettos, and one of the most popular beginner boards.

aubzobot · 11-04-2012, 05:54 PM

I have know knowledge of womens boards, but when i bought one for my sis, the guys at the shop recommended the feather and she really enjoys it. thats my tid bit of information. hope it helps

**Donutz** · 11-04-2012, 06:02 PM

Speaking of lilfoot (which admittedly we weren't), has anyone heard from her lately?

Deeplyfelt · 11-04-2012, 06:03 PM

I should have mentioned the boot size which is a 6. I've been looking at the feather and also the feel good from Burton. I've also been reading copious numbs of reviews at thegoodride.com. The battalion distortia seems like a possibility. Seems like the more I read the more confused I be.
B&GC
Helen

wrathfuldeity · 11-04-2012, 06:21 PM

Welcome, also 53 and heading for my 10th season. A 144 is a good size and would encourage you to go for an intermediate to advance board since you are an advancing skill wise and want performance responsive board. Do not get a beginner board like the feather, you want some thing that is perhaps be beyond your current level so that you can ride in to it. I'm a fan of c2btx design. a good compromise between camber and rocker...something like a gnu b-nice. Btw with small feet pay attention to the board width...you'll want something on the narrower side and medium flex to med stiff flex.

Bones · 11-04-2012, 06:50 PM

Whatever you decide, could you post up your impressions, thoughts, etc.?

I've got at least 6 different female friends who are in the same boat as you. Either they've progressed beyond a beginner board or they started on a second hand board and want something better. If they wanted men's boards, then I'd have more facts, opinions and reviews to point them to, but info on women's boards is scarce at best.

11-04-2012, 01:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
Deeplyfelt Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 7	Aging accidental boarder needs board advice Hmm. Accidental boarder? At 53 I went to our local hill, Whitewater, with my hubby and kids planning to rent a board, try it, probably hate it and then head indoors to drink beer. Which is what happened when I tried skiing years earlier! But once I got out there in the bunny hill I fell (literally of course) in love. Unfortunately that first season I tore the meniscus in my right knee in week 4. (Getting off the lift to my chagrin) After an operation to fix that I started my second season with a second hand 144 Option board, 24/7 bindings and Ride single boa boots. The boots were the best fit I could find but still had a small amount of heel lift. Learning went slowly that winter. I became fairly competent at getting off the lift and used only green runs. Last year I kept the board and boots but exchanged the bindings for Burton stilettos. Made an enormous improvement in my board control. Advanced from greens to some blues and began using the scary lift on the summit side by the end of the season. I am beyond stoked for this season. I just got a new pair of Ride double boa boots with NO heel lift which I hope will make the same kind of tweak in my board control as the bindings did. Now I'm considering a new board too. The Option has beautiful graphics - a goddess no less - but she's a bit catchy and beginning to delaminate a bit. I am 5'2" & weigh under 110 lbs. I would describe myself as a 'slow' boarder who likes groomers with some powder on top best. I rarely venture far off the groomers. My elderly knees hate moggles and I don't jump. Not exciting to most of you I know but I love it. I want to do this for as long as I can. My next goal is to feel confident on green runs and mabe make it to riding the Glory Chair by season's end. So, my new council, what suggestions do you have for me about boards? Blessings & Good Cheer Helen

11-04-2012, 06:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
Donutz Drunk with power...er beer. Join Date: May 2010 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada Posts: 3,700 Blog Entries: 177	Speaking of lilfoot (which admittedly we weren't), has anyone heard from her lately? __________________ Illegitimi non carborundum I hate the parts between winter...

11-04-2012, 06:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
wrathfuldeity Resident poet Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bham Posts: 2,733	Welcome, also 53 and heading for my 10th season. A 144 is a good size and would encourage you to go for an intermediate to advance board since you are an advancing skill wise and want performance responsive board. Do not get a beginner board like the feather, you want some thing that is perhaps be beyond your current level so that you can ride in to it. I'm a fan of c2btx design. a good compromise between camber and rocker...something like a gnu b-nice. Btw with small feet pay attention to the board width...you'll want something on the narrower side and medium flex to med stiff flex. __________________

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11-04-2012, 02:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
ARSENALFAN -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Calgary Posts: 604	I know your question is about boards, but just wanted to drop you a line and throw some positive vibes your way. I am 40 and just got back into the game. I think I am going to start a thread to encourage snowboarders over 40 to keep in shape, keep riding and see how old we can get on the hill. I hope to be out there until 80 at least, god willing

11-04-2012, 04:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bones Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 827	I can't claim to know a lot about women's boards as I haven't shopped around for a while. So I'll defer to the more knowledgeable. First off, Shayboarder.com seems to know their stuff especially when it comes to women's gear. Names/brands that I have heard good things about or have friends that ride/like Never Summer Lotus or Infinity Roxy Eminence Gnu B-Street

11-04-2012, 04:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
tdn -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Boston Suburbs Posts: 197	I was going to recommend shayboarder.com as well. I don't know much about male decks, never mind female decks. I see more and more mature boarders every season and it's refreshing.

11-04-2012, 05:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
aubzobot Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 151	I have know knowledge of womens boards, but when i bought one for my sis, the guys at the shop recommended the feather and she really enjoys it. thats my tid bit of information. hope it helps

11-04-2012, 06:03 PM	#8 (permalink)
Deeplyfelt Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 7	I should have mentioned the boot size which is a 6. I've been looking at the feather and also the feel good from Burton. I've also been reading copious numbs of reviews at thegoodride.com. The battalion distortia seems like a possibility. Seems like the more I read the more confused I be. B&GC Helen

11-04-2012, 06:50 PM	#10 (permalink)
Bones Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 827	Whatever you decide, could you post up your impressions, thoughts, etc.? I've got at least 6 different female friends who are in the same boat as you. Either they've progressed beyond a beginner board or they started on a second hand board and want something better. If they wanted men's boards, then I'd have more facts, opinions and reviews to point them to, but info on women's boards is scarce at best.