Although youth snowboards have the same basic design as their adult counterparts, they vary in \length and flexibility in order to accommodate different size riders and riding styles. Both freestyle snowboards and freeride, or all-mountain, snowboards have design advantages for young and beginner riders, says ABC-of-Snowboarding.com.
Basic Shape
All snowboards share a fundamental shape and common parts. The tip, or nose, is the front end of the snowboard, and the tail is known as the rear end. The bottom of the snowboard is called the base, and the top is referred to as the deck. Metal edges run down the sides of the snowboard. The waist is the narrowest section, located in the middle of the board between the bindings.
Characteristics
Snowboards vary in length, width, camber and flexibility. The length of a snowboard is measured from tip to tail, calculated to in centimeters. The measurement at the narrowest point of the board is the waist width. Camber is the arch the board makes when resting on a flat surface. The flex point of a snowboard, located between the bindings, is the point where the board begins and ends its flex.
Freestyle Snowboards
Freestyle snowboards have features for performing tricks in halfpipes and terrain parks. These boards are commonly twin-tipped, which provides a centered stance and allows you to easily ride forward and backward. According to the ABC-of-Snowboarding website, freestyle snowboards are lighter, wider, shorter and softer in flex than freeride snowboards. Because these characteristics make the snowboard stable, easy to turn and very responsive, freestyle snowboards are the best choice for a beginner.
Freeride Snowboards
Freeride snowboards are the most popular choice, offering features for all-mountain carving, snowboarding in powder and park riding. Because freeride snowboards are primarily ridden in one direction, the tail of the board is more narrow, shorter and and flatter than the tip. According to the ABC-of-Snowboarding website, "freeride snowboards are usually soft and maneuverable enough for beginners, but stiff enough to hold a fast turn in hard snow."
Snowboard Sizing
The correct snowboard size is determined by body type, boot size, experience level and climate/terrain conditions. Snowboarding-Master.com describes a general rule for youth snowboard sizing. When you stand the board up, it should should be between your nose and your chin. Young, or inexperienced, snowboarders will generally ride groomed terrain and benefit from a shorter, more maneuverable snowboard. Additionally, the board width must be appropriate for your boot size--a board that's too narrow will result in heel and toe drag; one that's too wide will lose responsiveness.
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