The Art of Snowboarding

Ever wondered how Snowboards are made or what they are made of? Snowboards are constructed of a hardwood core and laminated with Glass-reinforced plastic fiberglass. The nose or "front" of the board is upturned, to help the board glide over uneven snow; the tail or "back" of the board is also upturned to enable switch or "backwards" riding. The base (the side of the board that touches the snow) is covered with a plastic called p-tex, which is typically sintered to help it absorb wax, which helps it slide faster. The edges of the base are fitted with a steel edge, just a couple of millimeters square, which helps the board grab the snow when turning. The top of the board typically sports graphics designed by board makers to attract riders to their boards or to display artwork. Flite Snowboards, an early and often under quoted designer, pressed the first closed-molded boards from a garage in Newport Rhode Island, in the mid-80's, well before Burton did it. Snowboard top sheet graphics can be a highly personal statement and many riders spend many hours customizing the look of their boards. The base of the board may also feature graphics, often designed to make the manufacturer recognizable in photos.

Unknowns
P-Tex: A low maintenance base, it is the least expensive and easy to repair.

Snowboarding, as well as many other extreme sports has revolutionized the world as we know it. It has created hobbies for millions and not only that, but professions. Who would have thought that the first snowboards were made in the garages of individuals? There is more to riding and the building of a snowboard than people think. There are different types of chemistry and builds that influence snowboarding such as the fiberglass, lament and wood. The combination of all these materials and the right amount of chemistry equals the perfection of snowboarding. I am actually going snowboarding tomorrow and look forward to experiencing the chemistry first hand. I look forward to the write up of my experience this year.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowboard (Viewed November 26, 2007)