Bonkers Boards - The Unity Whale

Bonkers Boards is SB-RV’s salute to the mad scientists behind some of snowboarding’s most radical designs. To launch this feature we’ve chosen the Unity Whale, a powder hungry beast with a nose that would make Gerard Depardieu’s look proportionate and a cheeky little swallow tail to make it easier to prop up outside your post shred watering hole. We asked Unity owner Pete Wurster to give us the lowdown on one of the 2011/12 season’s craziest shapes.

So what is the Whale all about?
It’s a nose rocker surf inspired shape.

Who is behind this crazy creation?
Me! Unity owner and founder Pete Wurster

What are the Whale’s key features?
Nose rocker and a shifted wide point to match the nose rocker.  The wide point on the nose is shifted back to match where the nose rocker starts.  This makes the board engage in the turn earlier.

How many prototypes did it take to dial the shape?
It took several months and probably about a dozen prototypes.

What’s the flex like on the world’s biggest rideable mammal?
It’s not too stiff.  We wanted to keep the nose pretty flexible so that is flexes and floats over pow.

Where did the inspiration for the shape come from?
It’s kind of a mix between some of the new ski shapes that are on the market and some of the shorter wider surfboards that a lot of guys are using these days.

What conditions and terrain does the Whale excel in? And when does it suck?
It it obviously great in deep snow, but it carves super well on hard pack too, It’s really versatile.  It pretty much is great on everything except for riding switch.

What kind of snowboarder is going to love this board?
Anyone that wants a little bit different feel to their riding, and definitely someone who is not riding the park much.

How much is one of these aquatic beasts going to cost?
$ 525.00 USD

Will this board get you laid?
Maybe?

Posted by Rich Ewbank in Features.

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