Strapping your feet to a board and then sliding down a snow-covered hill requires skills that most humans aren’t born with. So, to make it just a little easier for novices to learn how to snowboard, Australia’s Streetboardz has created a board with a built-in handbrake that lets riders easily stop before things get out of control.
Dubbed the Boarder Kontrol system, the brake is activated by the rider tugging on a leash, which causes a thin metal blade to dig into the snow. The harder the rider yanks, the deeper the brake digs into the powder, and the quicker they will stop. It can also be used to keep the rider’s speed in check with a gentle tug. And because the brake’s metal blade is rounded, it can even be used while turning.
Because the Boarder Kontrol system is really only useful until riders learn how to control their speed by carving, Streetboardz doesn’t intend to sell the board to the general public. Instead, it is working to market it to resorts and hills that rent equipment to those hoping to learn to snowboard without ending up in the hospital with a broken limb. [Streetboardz via Gizmag]
whats wrong with falling over or onto your arse FFS? bloody hell
Isn't that red stuff on the lead-in article pic, blood on the board?
Makes me think the guy has just shredded over someone with his brake on! And he has an innocent look on his face like it wasn't me!
Last edited February 16, 2013 12:48 pm
Wouldnt that ruin the snow pack? Your carving out a massive bit of the snow?
I think it's meant for beginner slopes, so who cares.
Looks like a great idea, although it completely defeats the purpose for most shredders, i.e. sitting on your bum in the snow most of the day! ;)
The first day on a snowboard is like an initiation. If you can overcome the pain, and frustration of your first day, then you earn the respect of all other snowboarders on the mountain. This new fangled brake allows beginners to bypass the requirement to prove themselves and will dilute the level of radness in the sport forever.
or maybe just get over yourself and let other people enjoy their fun their own way?
you know what this will promote? snowboarding with the board flat in relation to the snow - you normally snowboard with a slight tilt INTO the snow, using your edges for control, as well as braking. without this you slide uncontrollably on top of the snow.
this thing looks like it just creates bad habits.
Couldn't agree more. Any snowboarder worth their weight will tell you that riding flat is just asking for an edge bite to ragdoll you down the hill. If this thing teaches people to ride flat - or if it pushes them into initiating a turn when engaged rather than riding on an edge - then it's teaching the wrong things. It's always harder to get out of bad habits than learn it properly (with a few tumbles) in the first place
Probably, but if it stops beginners scraping their way downhill sideways and removing all the snow, I'll be happy.
so you would rather they scrape all the snow away with the scoop as they ride the brake down the mountain? :)
I assume that if you are concerned about beginner snowboarders messing up the green slopes, then you are skiing in the wrong area. Unless you are a beginner yourself, which means you should have more tolerance for people learning a new skill like you.
they can ride the brake down the bunny slopes all they want - when i first started we learnt on the bunny slope and i stayed on my heels almost the whole time. but once you graduate to a 'green' level slope, shouldnt you be able to stop/slow down without this tool?
I see your point, but I can see where it could be useful. The hardest part of learning is linking your turns from heel side to toe side. For the beginner, as soon as their board straighten's up mid way through the turn, they accelerate, and their natural response is to lean back, thinking this will slow them down - instead it makes it impossible to turn!
If people were taught to use this to control their speed during the turn, it might make that step less daunting and allow them to get their confidence quicker?
I'd be interested to have a go to see how it feels mid turn.