Snowboarding Technology

Over on the Highly Obsessed blog (link via Ski-Blog) there was a recent post on the aging of snowboarders.

The basic idea of the post was, snowboarding is a young sport with not too many older participants in it. What will happen when these riders get older? I've posed the question to a couple of my snowboarding instructors and friends.

All agree that as they get older it will become more difficult to ride on a board. Not due to anything that the actual riding will impair, but rather the strapping in and lift time issues. In any of the opinions there was no doubt that technology will have to change in the next 5-10 years. Some of the riders claimed they'll probably move to skis, but most made the bold prediction that they would never move. So let's look at the logistics of what would happen.

Bindings. Currently there are really three choices out there. The standard issue ratchet in type that require un-doing and reconnecting on each use. The flow bindings which require a one time fit with a quick latch entry/exit. Finally the step in side clip bindings which are step on easy to get engage, and push button release. Each of these bindings requires extreme balance and flexibility to do while standing up. The alternative is to fall on your ass strap in and hope you can get back up method which can put a tremendous amount of torque and pressure on the knees.

Lifts. Current state of the art to ride a lift requires taking one foot out of a binding and letting the board hang freely. This causes an awful lot of odd pressure and torquing on the knee. While the safety bar on the lift could remove most of the issues, it's not commonly used.

My theory is we'll see a drastic change in the snowboarding technology rather soon. Just like ski bindings have evolved, so have snow board bindings. But I don't believe they've reached their most optimal format yet. I think we'll find that bindings will incorporate a hinge motion for the lift and more of a twist release/bind format.

Anyhow a fun conversation to have with any snowboarder.