Snowboarding is a sport that has connections to both surfing and skiing. Developed by surfing enthusiasts who were tired of skiing and instead wanted to recreate the sensation of surfing in the mountains, snowboard technology has come on a long way since the early days of crude wooden boards.
Snowboard Specifications
Modern snowboards come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from entry-level boards to top-of-the-range freestyle boards, and anything in between. Each model, usually identified by a name such as the Burton Custom X or the Lib Tech Banana, will come in a series of different sizes. For example, the Custom X is available at 152 cm, as well as 156, 158, 160 and 164 cm, plus wide sizes. Each size tends to have a different, albeit similar graphic. The best size will depend on a number of factors.
Riding Style
Before you begin looking at measurements, the first thing you should do is work out what type of riding style you have, as you will need an appropriate board to match. Freestyle boards, designed for tricks in the park, are shorter, typically coming up to between the base of your neck and below your chin. "Freeride" boards are designed for ease of use around the mountain. These all-around boards typically come up to between your chin and your nose. "Freecarve" boards are longer for stability, typically measuring above your nose.
Height and Weight
Although the length of your board is dependent on the type of snowboard and the type of riding you plan on doing, it is also dependent on your own measurements. In terms of height, the board should measure up roughly to your chin and can be longer or shorter depending on your requirements. According to The House Boardshop, most pro riders use boards between 88 and 91 percent of their height, with a recommended formula of rider height in inches multiplied by 2.2352 to give the suggested board length in centimeters. Your weight should also be a factor. A heavier rider will need a longer board and a lighter rider will need a shorter one. For this reason, many women's boards are shorter than their men's equivalents.
Other Considerations
When picking a board, most of the time you will find that you are faced with a choice between a board that is slightly shorter or slightly longer than your preferred length because of the sizes provided by the manufacturer. In these cases, feel free to scale up or down, based on your planned usage and your physical stature. If you are heavy for your height, go with the longer board. If you want a freeride board but feel that you will spend a lot amount of time attempting tricks and jumps, go with a slightly shorter board.
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