Stranda Snowboards

[unsatisfiedus]

thanks man. ((21.25 =~ 54cm. im american but it still blows me away when people switch to imperial units in the middle of snowboard talk))

finding i have trouble making full use of the edge on some of these pow/carve shapes if im too far back. maybe need to try a little of the dupraz style sliding up on the sidecut. [side note, part of the reason im slow on the cheater is i picked up a used D1+ over the summer and i dont need two boards for the crowded places i usually go that excel when you have a ton of space to roam]

anyways, im sold here. is lars associated with the shop in fernie? i've forgotten the name at the moment, but i think they're carrying them in bc.

[Spenser]

Yeah, he’s one of the main guys there - edge of the world

[unsatisfiedus]

When do you go cheater over shorty? It’s surprising that it would get the call more. I saw the cheater in person and it had a ton of camber, looked fun but like it would take some effort

[Spenser]

I got the Shorty late and mine has an unusually soft nose, so I didn’t ride it as much as I would have otherwise. Supposed to be getting a replacement. Also, conditions in the later part of last season called for the cheater (carving, and I felt like it ), or I was sometimes on the orbit. Cheater grip is significantly more, and orbit also has a bite I love. Still had a good handful of Shorty days, though. If a replacement takes care of the nose thing, I expect I’ll be on it much more.

If you like stout carving boards and longer length/edge, once you go there, it’s hard to step back to anything less. When I found how great it is off groomers early-on, I just kept riding it. Quickly got to a point where I felt like I could ride it daily (and wanted to), regardless of conditions. Like I said, I think Craig Kelly would like it. Longer freeride beast, kinda oldschool in a sense, just a different feeling from the vast majority of boards on the market. Fits my style well. To compare to a historically well known board, it would probably have to be like those guys who swear by a supermodel 172+, and nothing else will do.

I saw this surfing quote recently -

“Its not about power. It’s about timing, it’s about technique, it’s about how well you can connect to the wave. The wave is where the power is. You have to stand on the board in such a way to tap that power for your own joy.

The ones that I didn’t over-surf are the ones that... my body was like a symphony, and it finally sounded good.”

It’s interesting. These boards do “require” a “better” rider I guess (whatever that means), but they also have an “ease” to them for that rider. I can put very little into the cheater, or the hammerhead, and get so much out. It’s a newer feeling I’m really enjoying. The “tap into power” and “connect to the wave” ideas are relevant to my experience on those boards.

Not exactly the same, but look at Temple Cummins. His style is so chill, like he’s barely doing anything or putting any energy into the ride, yet what he is actually doing is beastly. He’s tapped into the power of the wave same with Craig.

[Snowdaddy]

I've demoed the Cheater, Shorty, Tree Surfer, Bowlrider and Descender. I want to love the Cheater, but we didn't really connect. I had a problem getting the heel side turns right. Mats bluntly told me "it's a you problem", which I suppose it is.

My favorite Stranda is the Shorty, that board just works for me.The Descender is also very nice (and might be the ultimate one quiver board for a non park rider), but I just don't like how it looks. I know you're supposed to just ride it but...

[Snowdaddy]

But to add... as far as eye candy goes: The Stranda Boards, in general, are the best looking boards I've ever seen.

[Spenser]

They are so nice looking! Especially the cheater IMO.

Everyone is different. I probably wouldn’t like the descender for my style. But I’ve been able to make my best carves (especially heelside) on the cheater. I absolutely love that board. Pretty much need a pipeliner at this point.

Mats is blunt in a way I appreciate

[Yeti]

I had a couple of laps on my friend’s Cheater 170W. I’m 9 US downsized with 10 US mondo feet.

Even with his bindings not being centered for me (he is 11.5 US) the board felt very comfortable. Like a smooth ride, sort of a cruiser board. You don’t need to put much power into it, just be confident with your input and it does the rest.

I think there is some misconception with the bigger boards being harder to ride at all aspects. My titanal sbx Nobile N8 168 board is actually the easiest board in my 10 + quiver for laying hard carves. Getting it on the edge, especially for quicker carves does require more power/assertiveness but once it locks in it is actually easier to cut clean lines than it is on regular boards because you have so much extra grip and stability and the rider errors that would end up in a lost edge simply fall within the ‚tolerance’ level.

[Spenser]

Exactly. It all depends on the rider and the riding. For a novice, a bigger/stiffer board is often more difficult to handle, while for an advanced rider, an “easier” or smaller/forgiving board is more work because it doesn’t support their ability. So, it’s not really linear like most people tend to see it.

There was a discussion about the orbit on the last EL. For some it was an ass kicker that drained them over the course of a day, but my experience is less fatigue and an easier ride exactly because it’s more of a beast.

Longer boards (~170+) are another step. Like I said (and you as well), I can put less into it and get more out. It’s a different ride, and I’m hooked. In the case of what I have (cheater & hammerhead) it helps that both creators understand how to make a powerful board calm & smooth, rather than overly reactive and “nervous.”

[unsatisfiedus]

i just figured that at my local that i dont have space for all that edge (like 142 cm!) and camber (mabye 14mm??) to do its thing. but then that 8.5m sidecut seems cozy. who knows?

would be fun at whistler though.