Brian B and nutbastard: Yes, the wave board is very cool, yet also fairly simple and elegant. It is more an evolution of the concept, rather than a "lets add more gadgets, gears, and functions" approach.

As for the original skate board... yeah, a plank with wheels attached. Today's skateboard is an evolution of the concept, without radically changing the form factor. This Venom thing adds a handle, pivot points, a shock, and various other and sundry do dads to something that really didn't need fixing.

Like I said, I am all for innovation... this just doesn't seem to advance the cause that far.

zenpoet

@pacopaco:
nope - it's only manly if the device was homemade. think about it - soapbox derby injury == cool. razor scooter injury == not cool

nutbastard

This is amazing!! Exactly what we need, an aluminum pole infront of you when you crash or wipe out.. that wont have any effect what so ever... yeah..
Rather then having to worry about crashing into tree's now you have to avoid your own board. Whoever designed this should be shot.

Skoove

@nutbastard: Noticed that right after I clicked "submit". Still, ouch!

honozooloo

geeze, bunch of panzies here or what? wouldn't it be more macho if you did impale yourself on your equipment? is that more exciting than a flat board strapped to your feet? shit, i've stuffed enough on all sorts of crap to know that eating it again and again is half the fun. the other half is watching your friends eat it. if you want to just boot out on your board for exciting, that's your biz.

pacopaco

Skiing Jacket - $300
Snowboard boots - $150
Venom Switchboard - $590
Looking like a douchebag on a skihill without falling on your ass - Priceless.

disgustepated

@honozooloo:
uh, i pointed that out

nutbastard

Hmmm...

I truly believe in simplicity...not just because I believe snowboarding has a "soul" but also because I'm a firm believer in Moore's Law. More parts=better chance for something disastrous to happen.

Nobody has pointed out how much this thing could mess you up if you face planted and caught a mouth full of handlbar at 30 MPH on a steep slope.

Ouch.

honozooloo

Snowboarding already owns, i sure as hell wouldnt use this. Is the purpose of the metal bar to improve your snowboarding via negative reinforcement, that is, by causing excessive pain everytime you demonstrate bad snowboarding?

tin

Here's a youtube video of their commercial.

[youtube.com]

herakles01

It's the Razor scooter of the skiing world...

Although I must say every so often I steal my skiing buddy's poles and use them as I go down the mountain, just for fun. Freaks boring people out, and you get to hit your mates with them as you go down!

Oneon1isto

hmmm
Veom Switchboard...full of awkward inmobility embarasment
or
regular snowboarding

wow tough choice

jwestburg

Finally, a product that brings skiers and snowboarders together. Because they'd both be embarrassed to use it.

sorensilk

It looks more like a cross between an elderly walker and a snowboard...

Well, I already do a good job of falling and breaking bones on a snowboard, I don't need to look retarded doing it as well.

lobot

Reverse kingpin trucks seem to be selling well, when all kingpins faced in not 5 years ago. Mountain Boards with huge double velcro footstraps, inflatable tires and spring (not bushing) actuated trucks are definately an improvement to the general skateboard design, if mobility over any terrain is important to the rider, ie, someone who lives far from smooth pavement, ie, me.

snakeboards are much more maneuverable in tight spaces...

yer right that they fucked up on this thing, but i just dont think the skateboard analogy holds water.

just what i need when i fuck up - a big L shaped metal thing in front of me. might as well ride down the hill on a bike rack or something.

nutbastard

@zenpoet:
what do you consider the "original design"? a 2 X 4 with rollerskate trucks and clay wheels? A noseless fish board?

nutbastard

@zenpoet: You've never seen a Wave board? Not necessarily an improvement to the skateboard, but very cool, nonetheless.

Brian B

Is it just me or does this thing just scream Razor Scooter?

Captian_Caveman

Yeah...this looks too much like something for 45 yr old moms trying to look cool.

AdmNaismith

If I Hadn't fuck up my left knee. I would do snowboard this year.

i'm out of luck this year really

Jeremias

wouldn't snow build up in between the two pieces?

room209

This is worse than that bike on skis.

Kaiser-Machead

lame, lets see it action. it seems to have to many parts,
you wipe out on this baby, you will end up with a spring
up your ass.

tomaartist

That video looks like it is floating in the cold vastness of space. They should make a video of people using this so you can see how it works.

frigg

Its great that people continue to innovate, but hasn't anyone yet realized that making an already successful SIMPLE product more complicated rarely works?

What is more simple than a snowboard? Or a set of skis? (Not withstanding construction techniques, it boils down to one or two planks strapped to your feet.)

Look at all the attempts to "improve on" skate boards and in-lines skates. Nothing is as good as the original design, because every subsequent iteration is needlessly more complicated. As is the case here.

zenpoet

Venom Switchboard, a Cross Between Skis and Snowboard AND Suzanne Somers Thighmaster!

Daimyo Nintendo

@tomaartist:

"It was a million-to-one shot, Doc."

Maneki Nico

"venom switchboard" into google found this video, which is apparently a commercial, which turns out to be freakin' awesome: [video.google.com]

mykrowsy

If this takes off, maybe they could go one more step and add some training wheels...er, outriggers?

I like the style in the video, too bad the product is so lame.

Trozzur

. . . and a walker

aboriginal

looks like a heavy piece of shit.
although if you can fit it in a backback and you live in a city with steep streets and good snowfall could be a fun way to get to a bar.

Hypenotistathotmail