jhcolman

Hi All: We know about the Henkel plates, etc. Concept being that the bindings are isolated from the board, allowing better board flex and thereby better performance. But these plates add substantial weight and significant additional height. So we understand that they are generally only suitable for somewhat heaver and/or aggressive racers. Not the best for women or teenagers. However, we have learned of a system made by F2: the S-Flex system. It is apparently much lighter. In any event, our attitude toward gear is that we buy what is suitable to ones experience and skill level. So ... if this F2 system will be of substantial benefit (ie really help and not hinder), then we would consider it. Gear does evolve and if this is the next evolution, we'll consider it. But if its just another tech toy, or my son is really not ready for it, we'll pass. Does anyone have any experience riding or racing this system? Is there anyone in the eastern Canada area (or might be going to the Quebec FIS race) that has a pair? We would like to see and test it. Thanks all Best Julian

If Bret does not take the Cateks within the next day, they are yours. Happy trench digging. Cheers Julian

Bret, the pics are posted. Please advise whether you will take them. Cheers Julian

Thor, the Race Plates have sold to a home team (Oshawa LowRiders) member. Got to keep those Mat Morrison wannabees in gear.

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Hi All I tried to post the pics. They are too large. I will try to downsize and post again when I have a moment. Email me if you are serious about the item and want a pic. I can email them to you. Best Julian

Hi All We have a variety of alpine snowboard race gear to move out of our basement. These are listed below. Here's the gear and the pics. - - SOLD - Coiler World Cup Custom built GS race snowboard - this board was built for Rosey Fletcher - US World Cup Snowboard Team - in 2004. It has all of Bruce's bells and whistles. Rosey road it afew times, and then decided to go with Kesler, as did most of the WC riders by that time. The board is 173 cm long, 18 waist, 5.5 stiff, no taper. Bruce's custom WC race construction. My son weighed about 125 lbs and was 5 foot 4 during the 1st year he rode the board. It was (for that year) an awesome board for him. By the next year, he had grown and gained substantial weight, growing to 5 foot 8 or 9 and weighing in at 140 lbs. We should have gone for a new board that year, but did not. It was (in hindsight) too soft for him. The critical elements of the board (the base and the edges) are in very good condition and very well maintained. Infact, you will find the base very very fast and the edges quite sharp. I would not have the base ground this season. The edges are also quite sharp, and are at 1 degree base bevel and 2 degrees side. There is lots of metal edge left. The top sheet does have scratches and the edges of the top sheet are well nicked. So the board looks used, but it rides very very well. The board really helped him advance his riding that year. I would strongly recommend it to the right rider. We paid Rosey $325 US (then about $375 Cdn.) 2 seasons ago (my son rode it for 2 seasons). Bruce sells the boards new for about $850 Cdn. + 13% pst/gst + shipping. It yours for $300 Cdn. The board is royal blue. - SOLD - Donek GS - this is a 160 cm or so custom built Donek GS race board. We bought it from a very strong 14 year old rider on the USASA circuit. It is a more "lively" board than the Coiler (i.e. somewhat stiffer and more reactive). I would guess that this board is a 7 or so stiff, on the Coiler scale. My son was 12 when we acquired the board. He was then (I am guessing) around 105 lbs and maybe 4 foot 10 or 5 foot. This was his second carving board; he previously rode a Burton factory prime. This board also helped him advance, as it was much narrower and quicker (edge to edge) than the Burton. However, it was abit stiff during his first year of riding it. He grew further in his second year on the board (age 13, then weighing say 115 lbs and mearuing 5 foot 2. The board worked well for him that year. So I would say this would be a good board for a strong rider weighing 115 lbs or more and say 5 foot or more. The weight and riding strength are key, to flex the board. Donek sells it's stock boards today for $650 US; plus another $250 for "Olympic Construction". Their custom boards (which this was) sell for $1,100. Plus gst/pst and shipping. A great price at $250. Again, the base of this board is in very good condition, as are the edges. The top sheet has scratches and nicks. The board is dark red. - A pair of Deluxe Suzukas, mondo 25.0 to 25.5. This is one of the best alpine snowboard boots around. The boot and the thermoflex liner are mondo 25.0 to 25.5. Mat rode this model, until he switched to Deluxe Indy's. Pony rides Suzukas. These boots have 2 seasons on them. They have a Thermoflex liner (that we paid a further $100 for) that has been heat fit 2x and can be heat fit about 5 more times. This gives you a very snug custom fit. These boots were perfect for my son over the past 2 years. Just the right balance of flex and stiffness. He is staying with the same brand and model, but a size up, as these are now too small for him. The boots sell new for around $500 at the store. FS used @ $250. To determine size, draw a pencil line around your foot. Draw a line parallel to the front toe and the rear heal. Draw carefully. Measure the distance between the front and rear lines. That will be your size. Also try the shell test. Place your foot in a Deeluxe boot shell, without the liner. You should be able to fit in 2 fingers, one of top of the other finger; ie about 2 cm of room, for the liner. - - SOLD - 2 Pairs (2 front and 2 rear) of Burton Raceplates plus 2 rear cants (risers) plus various spare parts (numerous 4 and 2 hole disks, metal plates, etc.). I would suggest that these Raceplates be used by lighter, less aggressive riders. My son road them last season (digging trenches with his 145 lbs.) and I worried alot; just waited for one foot to come loose, break off. Didn't happen, but I sure worried alot. His coach said they were just fine, but I still worried. FYI, we bought the bindings used. We changed out 2 of the front bales (we bought Squire John's inventory of spare parts), so the front bales on one of the pairs are relatively new. Here's what I would suggest. Buy the bindings if your son or daughter is on the lighter side (say under 110 lbs) and not overly aggressive. Then have your coach take them apart and check them out to be sure. You should have enough parts here to get atleast one full pair of decent race plates; maybe even 2. But do have them checked carefully. Maybe I worry too much. After all, one of our trenchdigger riders rode RacePlates, he was one muscular aggressive rider and he did fine. The Plates are yours for $50 total, for the 2 pair. - Solomon helmet - Speed Concept - Size 55-56 cm. Red. Probably sells for $75 to $100 new today. No cracks or dents. Some scratches. $35. - SOLD One Custom Made, fleece insulated speed racing suit - we bought this suit from a racing family. They had it custom made for their son. It has neoprene like exterior and a fleece interior. So it gives you all the benefits of a speed suit, plus abit of warmth. The measurements are as follows: crotch to end of leg: 68 cm to 72 cm stretched. armpit to wrist - 42 cm to say 44 cm stretched. Neck: 42 cm round. Torso -crotch to neck: 66 to 72 cm stretched. Waist - about 72 cm around. I took these measurements from the garment. The suit is black, with some blue/green/yellow patterned stripes, and blue arms, with the same stripes. Any boy would be happy with it. No significant rips or tears (that I could see). We were quite pleased with the suit. Race suits sell for $300 to $400 today. FS @ $75 - SOLD - Catek World Cup Series 1P Bindings - For those trench diggers out there. These are solid bindings. Immediate transmition of boot movement to the edge. $50. We"ll, that it for the basement sale. Got to make room for that new board that Bruce is building. Email or post if you have any questions. jhcolman@rogers.com Cheers Julian Colman

Hi All: Thanks for your several kind board offers. We ended up acquiring a Kessler 162 SL. Best Julian

Hi: Thanks for the offer. We found a Kessler SL that will work great for my son. Best Julian

Hi Carp Thanks for the kind offer. We found a Kessler SL. FYI, my son has a Coiler GS - 173, 18 waist, 5.5 stiff, 13 meter radius, no taper. It belonged to Rosey Fletcher and has been riden for 2 1/2 seasons. He weighed 120 to 130 lbs at the time, and was 5 foot 5. The board worked really well for him (he placed 1st in his age class, at our Provincial Championships). We will be offering the board to his former Oshawa LowRiders club team members (my son is now with the Ontario Snowboarding Club). If they do not take it, we will offer it on Bomber. Are you interested? Best Julian

Hi Sam: Do you still have the Coiler? My son is starting to race FIS here in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He is buying a GS board from Bruce. We also need an SL board, but can't afford to buy two new boards in one season. If you still have it, what are its specs? Key is the sidecut radius, which needs to be about 9 meters, compared to 14 or so for a GS board. The other specs sound about right (162 cm, 7.5 stiff). Also, what's the waist (18 cm, 19 cm ??? ) and what is the taper at the base (if any). If you do not know all the specs, just give me your full name and the specs that are carved on the side of the board. I can call Bruce and he will look it up. If you have it, call me and we can chat. Thanks Julian

Hi All My son needs an SL raceboard, preferably Coiler, Kessler or Donek. About 162 cm, 19 to 20 cm waist, 9m or so sidecut. Bruce is currently building his GS board, so a new SL is not in the cards for this season. Post or email if you have one or know of anything, even if its not dead on the above specs. jhcolman@rogers.com Thanks Julian

Fellow Carvers The "Lowriders" Team of the Oshawa Snow Racing Club is seeking an Alpine Head Race Coach and additional Coaching Staff. The Team, based at Mount Kirby (20 minutes north of Oshawa, 50 minutes east of Toronto, Ontario, Canada) has about 25 to 30 racers, age 5 to 19 (plus afew more senior folks). The racers are divided into 3 groups of broadly young/beginning, preteen/intermediate and teenage/advanced racers. We wish to build upon our prior successes. We have and continue to lead both the Recreational and the Provincial Points Series of the Ontario Association of Snowboarders. A number of our Team members have been or are on the Ontario Team. One (Mat Morrison) is now on the National Team and enjoying great success on the World Cup circuit. In 2007, we had three boys and 1 girl in the top 10 of the Ontario Provincials; Oshawa LowRiders team members placed 3rd and 4th in the Open Mens category. The Head Coach must have his/her Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors (CASI) Level 1 (or equivalent) and preferably also have completed the Race Coach 1 course (of CASI or equivalent) or better. Substantial prior racing and race coaching experience and success is key. Competitive compensation and associated benefits are available. More importantly, the LowRiders is one of the largest Teams in Ontario , with a very dedicated and spirited group of racers and parents, most of which have been members of the Team for some time. You`ll have alot of fun riding and racing Ontario`s ski hills with us. If you cannot apply for the position, but can suggest an individual or recommend contacts (or places to post this notice), please contact me. So, please email Julian Colman at jhcolman@rogers.com or julian.colman@ca.cushwake.com, or call me at my office (416-473-2204, home (416-495-9965) or cell (416-473-2204). And feel free to spread the word. Regards Julian Colman Oshawa LowRiders

Fellow Carvers The "Lowriders" Team of the Oshawa Snow Racing Club is seeking an Alpine Head Race Coach and additional Coaching Staff. The Team, based at Mount Kirby (20 minutes north of Oshawa, 50 minutes east of Toronto, Ontario, Canada) has about 25 to 30 racers, age 5 to 19 (plus afew more senior folks). The racers are divided into 3 groups of broadly young/beginning, preteen/intermediate and teenage/advanced racers. We wish to build upon our prior successes. We have and continue to lead both the Recreational and the Provincial Points Series of the Ontario Association of Snowboarders. A number of our Team members have been or are on the Ontario Team. One (Mat Morrison) is now on the National Team and enjoying great success on the World Cup circuit. In 2007, we had three boys and 1 girl in the top 10 of the Ontario Provincials; Oshawa LowRiders team members placed 3rd and 4th in the Open Mens category. The Head Coach must have his/her Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors (CASI) Level 1 (or equivalent) and preferably also have completed the Race Coach 1 course (of CASI or equivalent) or better. Substantial prior racing and race coaching experience and success is key. Competitive compensation and associated benefits are available. More importantly, the LowRiders is one of the largest Teams in Ontario , with a very dedicated and spirited group of racers and parents, most of which have been members of the Team for some time. You`ll have alot of fun riding and racing Ontario`s ski hills with us. If you cannot apply for the position, but can suggest an individual or recommend contacts (or places to post this notice), please contact me. So, please email Julian Colman at jhcolman@rogers.com or julian.colman@ca.cushwake.com, or call me at my office (416-473-2204, home (416-495-9965) or cell (416-473-2204). And feel free to spread the word. Regards Julian Colman Oshawa LowRiders

Thanks all for your comments and help (here and in my other posts on this topic). What a great community! Seems the concensus is: start with 1.5 base and 2 side, and as you gain strength, balance and skill, move gradually towards 0.5 base and 3.0 side. The later (0.5 base and 3.0 side) for "high performance" racers. Cheers Julian

Thanks all for your comments and help (here and in my other posts on this topic). What a great community! Seems like plates are something to look at a couple of seasons from now. Cheers Julian

Thanks all for your comments and help (here and in my other posts on this topic). What a great community! Cheers Julian

It's amazing what a small group of 25 or so enthusiastic racers at a small public Ontario hill can achieve, with limited resources. Congrats to Mat and Dad (Pony). And look out, big mountain boys! There are afew younger Oshawa LowRiders coming up the line. Cheers Julian Parent Oshawa LowRiders

To all and Phil in particular: Thanks for the excellent advise. I'll keep tabs for any further posts. My son initially rode at 1 base and 2 side, up until last season. Our former club Race Director (whose son now races at the WC level) suggested that we try a 1.5 base and 2 side, which we did. That was last year, my son's first year on the Coiler (he was then 13/14 through the race season, was 5 foot 4 and weighed about 120 lbs). He had great success that year, with 1st and 2nds throughout the season and a 1st at our Ontario Provincial Championships. So the 1.5 base and 2 side worked really well then. This year, he grew to 5 foot 8 and 130 or so lbs. So I thought we should test 1.5 base and 3 side, to get more edge. He fortunately tested this well before the start of the race training season, as it was aweful. Could not initiate a turn easily and got shot out of heavy carves each turn. So 1.5 and 3.0 just did not work. So we went back to 1.5 and 2, which worked well again. The only problem he's had is getting a good edge on solid ice (of which we've had abit this seaon). He finds that he skids abit more than he'd like, on ice. Question. Phil: I'd think he needs an edge that will allow him to skid, etc. as you say, but also achieve a good carving edge in the gates, especially on icy sections. (We ride on alot of ice or hard pack artificial snow here in Ontario). So: should we leave things as is at 1.5 base and 2.0 side (he likes the way it feels now: I guess it's familiar) .... or .... go back to the 1.0 base and 2.0 side that he had two years ago (assuming that he might be able to handle a 1.0 base bevel better now that he's abit heavier) or ... try 0.5 base and 2.5 side? Thanks again. Best Julian

Hi All: Seems that a number of FIS and just about all of the WC racers are riding riser plates. My 14/15 year old son races on the Provincial circuit here in Ontario, Canada. He'll start some FIS races next year. Rides a 173 WC Custom Coiler; 18 waist, 5.5 stiff on Burton Race Plates. Weighs 130 lbs or so; 5 foot 8. Rides fairly aggressively but not as much of a trench digger as some of the older racers. Time to try risers? If so, where to buy? Thanks Julian

Hi All In previous years my son raced with a 1 degree base bevel and 2 degree side bevel. Worked OK. A friend of ours (whose son now races for the Canadian Alpine Team) suggested increasing the base bevel to 1.5. Worked great; we know not why. This December we tried a 1.5 degree base and 3 degree side. Figured if it works for SL and GS skiers, it might work for alpine snowboard. I was dead wrong. My son couldn't initiate turns. And when he did, the board "locked up" and "spit him out of the carve". Went back to 1.5 and 2, and things are back to normal. Question: How does the base bevel affect turn initiation, carve, exit, etc? Why 0.5 vs 1 vs 1.5 or even 2? Same question for side bevel? Why 2 or 3 side bevel? What I know from ski race tuning just doesn't seem to apply. Fyi, my son races a 173 Coiler WCC Custom Race; 18 width; 5.5 stiff. He weighs 130 lbs and is 5 foot 8 inches. What do other racers use. Thanks all

Hi All In previous years my son raced with a 1 degree base bevel and 2 degree side bevel. Worked OK. A friend of ours (whose son now races for the Canadian Alpine Team) suggested increasing the base bevel to 1.5. Worked great; we know not why. This December we tried a 1.5 degree base and 3 degree side. Figured if it works for SL and GS skiers, it might work for alpine snowboard. I was dead wrong. My son couldn't initiate turns. And when he did, the board "locked up" and "spit him out of the carve". Went back to 1.5 and 2, and things are back to normal. Question: How does the base bevel affect turn initiation, carve, exit, etc? Why 0.5 vs 1 vs 1.5 or even 2? Same question for side bevel? Why 2 or 3 side bevel? What I know from ski race tuning just doesn't seem to apply. Fyi, my son races a 173 Coiler WCC Custom Race; 18 width; 5.5 stiff. He weighs 130 lbs and is 5 foot 8 inches. What do other racers use. Thanks all Julian

Just search for auctions by JHC2 that is my ebay name. Cheers Julian

Hi All: Just to let you know that I am selling a substantial quantity of Swix and Toko: - Hydrocarbon waxes (Swix CH's, in 180 gram bars) - Low fluoro waxes (Swix LF's, in 180 gram bars) - High fluoro waxes (Swix HFBD's, HF's and Toko HF's) in 40 to 60g packs - 100% Fluoro overlays (Swix FC100 and FC200, rub-on blocks) in 30g packs I have too much wax, covering too many brand names. I am consolidating to one brand. All are on auction on Ebay starting at $1 . Just go to Ebay and search for auctions by JHC2 . But hurry. This is a 5 day auction. Then pray for lots of snow. Cheers Julian