Zone

Any website? What over the air channels?

Haha, no xray vision here. He was with the board on another shot. It happens that I have the shorter version of the same board. http://carving.grewu.org/gallery/ecsVII/sunday_le_col/dsc_2223.htm

The reason I noticed it, I have the same in 168 VSR and same wood top. And the nose does bend like a Swoard in soft snow. Same funky nose too. Great ride!

Found this one From this collection http://carving.grewu.org/gallery/ecsVII/sunday_le_col/dsc_2436.htm

I'm in at around 130lbs. Swoard is very flexy (161M for me) and it's very nice ride. Bruce made me a 3rd/final version of stubby-like (I like to call it my tongue depressor) and it's great. First 2 were too stiff and I was struggling. This one is like magic. 12m VSR but I can bend it to well below 10m when needed. He does have 2 scales, one for guys (apparently I'm at the low end of that scale) and one for girls (test drove a number of girls board). I must say I really like the flex on the girls board, so I guess for my weight that scale is better. I presume for lightweight teen riders, the girls scale would also be better. Boots/bindings makes a difference too, because at our weight, what seems flexy for most is actually quite stiff.

Thanks. Funny. I actually don't have to hide my spending on gear (I spend even more on windsurfing gear). She now knows I come back happy and it makes me a better husband/father. It helps I don't spend on much else (other than sending her on cruises, it all balance out). Agree that if you know your passion before you get married, having a partner that share the same passion helps. However not too many women carvers/windsurfer/adrenalin junkies out there. So good luck to you singles!

Jack, for your friend with the 3 kids, not all is hopeless. I started with a 'dealbreaker' wife and slugging 3 young kids by myself to the hills (at the time I did not snowboard). Now that they are good enough to get up the chairs on their own, it's a breeze. Plus if we all go, my wife would be left out, so now she is starting to come along, actually liking it. She's the one pushing for a family pass this year. I am sure not complaining! Sure, a non skier/boarder spouse makes it more challenging, but you usually don't marry Mr. or Mrs. Perfect. Life together is a road, and can be full of detours and surprises. That's what happens when you have a ring around your finger.

Took your advice and got my wife snowboarding for the first time today (the fact that she forgot her ski boots at home did help!). She was doing the falling leaf by herself after 4 runs on the bunny hills without catching any edges. So proud of her:1luvu:. And she had fun too (which surprised her!). I'm hoping I'd have to order a dudette board from Bruce in a few years time and not having to hide anything (not that I can/need to anyway).

'Honey, I have to go snowboarding with my friend Bruce' .... 'Different board, are you sure? Nah, you don't know anything about carving boards do you?'

I second that, great shot. Check out this site for more ideas on remote flash etc...can be set up pretty cheap and simple with multiple flashes. http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/02/welcome-to-strobist.html. Just a bit too much work for me. Nice job.

Off the EC forum. I would still try to get hard boots and plates to ride it at high angles.

Docrob, Kudos, after a week! With Dual you should have plenty to grow into and it will hold an edge until you're ready for EC, the board is plenty soft for learning yet great edge hold when pushed. I had another look at the Flow NXT AT(got mine for $150 new, google it!), and looks like I might do the equivalent of a 3rd strap quite easily. The back moves freely forward and aft but is relatively stiff laterally. Attaching a 3rd strap equivalent at high boot angles, would not limit fore/aft movement, so good for EC/BTS like feel if the boots are stiff enough (ie not walking to the barn with the dog ;-). But at high angles, the 3rd strap would support laterally without being too stiff. To be tried over the next little while. Will have to go to the store and find some supplies first.

We get to meet them tomorrow at the SOS, but I'm sure we won't see what's in the plate until after SOS. Thanks for the link.

Skategoat, thanks for the tips for the Tweetdeck. Facebook never looked so good!

The problem I see with the above 3rd strap system is although it would add lateral stiffness, it would also a major detriment to forward flex. You'd lose the ability to really bend your ankle and coil up before the turn, esp. if you're thinking about doing EC. Would a strap in figure of 8, with the top and bottom of the 8 firmly attached, and the crossing happening between the boot and the back help? You'd add lateral restriction of movement, yet still have some flex due to the figure of 8. I've got yet to try high angles with my softies and I'm hoping being a lightweight, lateral flex is not too much of an issue.

Wow, nice crowd. Henry, too bad you can't make it this year. I emailed Randy Starkman, the writer who brought out Apex, but he is too busy to attend. For those interested, I'll be bringing my Swoard Dual 158 if anyone is interested in trying. Bring your own soft boots and bindings, or use your hardboots. The 158 according to their site is for riders 158-180cm, 55-75kg depending on use. Meanwhile, I'll be playing with Bruce's art piece. PM me if interested.

It used to be $99 mon-friday when the kids did not ski/snowboard. But now $1300 because there is 5 of us. Who said having kids does not cost you money?!?

Actually, after the post I realized I have my bro's old Raichle boots that should fit at 7.5 US. I thought something really flexy as he is built like his dad, ie skin and bone! Thanks for the offer though.

My son wants to try/get into HB for freecarving. He is starting to carve decently on softies. Any recommendation? Just need the boots, got the board/bindings. Thanks.

None of the above. Windsurfing circa 1979-80

I know, that's what I thought too:eek:. But now I've been riding this for the last 2 weeks and my knees are fine:). Will try the regular 55/50 in near future to see what's it's like with the Dual and soft boots at hardboots angles on cord

I had no idea since I'm new to softboots. Went by what the local softboot instructors are using (and they carve gooood). Surprisingly comfortable and natural stance. Front side is infinitely easier. Somewhat awkward backside. Still don't know whether to do it like them without any upper body/pelvis rotation or rotation on the back side. Currently rotating because that's what I'm used to and edge hold does not suffer. Advice, criticism and opinion welcome!

I wish I had a camera for the tracks I left on groomers today both toes and heel side (on 25/-15 and softies), on 2-3 weeks old packed down man made snow, no new snow since new year (and rain this weekend of all things):(

Does Arcrider kite?

Carving wears out your edges, just to be devil's advocate. Cheers.