1st board

rkrboarder

Snowboard Virgin

Total Posts: 2 Joined 2011-01-12

Posted: 12 January 2011 12:31 PM

I have decided to take up snowboarding and am going to buy a board. I could use some help selecting one and have it narrowed down to a few available in my area (Washington, DC).

I am a beginner in my first year of boarding; but, have water skied, inline skated, ice skated, and surfed a lot growing up and was good at all four.

I am male, 6’4” tall, 155 lbs, and have a US12 foot. I’d be most interested in freeride/freestyle, mostly on the hills and hopefully trying some jumps/switches eventually.

I’ve researched a bit and know the general size board I need and what is available in my area. I’d like to pick up the board this week after work one night, and have is narrowed down to these:

K2 Brigade Wide 159
K2 Raygun Wide 160
Gnu Carbon Credit BTX Wide 159 or 162

Which, if any, of those boards would work for me? Also, if there is another board you would suggest that is easily available online I would not be opposed to ordering that way (provided I could get the board delivered in at least 5 days—even if I need ot pay extra shipping.

My biggest problem is that I am quite skinny and although the online size calculators I have found say I should be using about a 160 board, I find that I am below the suggested weight for that length board when I go to manufacturer sites to look at the boards.

Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

Steve Medeiros

Video Section Hero

Total Posts: 408 Joined 2010-01-08

[# 1]

Posted: 14 January 2011 07:43 AM

Christ almighty your a beansprout! Indeed your figure poses a challenging read.

Even though you are light you would need a larger board for two reason, size 12 feet and 6’4” height.

Right off the bat with 12 feet you need a wide board which you have been looking at. Next with your height you should put your weight in the bottom end of the weight brackets. Example, Burton Process V-Rocker (which I recommend as well) at the 162 will put your weight on the low end (150-200 is the range). With the added height and higher centre of gravity you will exert more force on the board then someone at the same weight but is shorter.

Of the 2 K2’s I would go with the Raygun… and I would probably put you on the wide 164. You have an athletic background so the extra 4 cm won’t slow you down. I wouldn’t worry that K2 marks the board as >170… other factors in your case have to be considered along with weight.

Hope that helps…