board setup, NZ

hi all, i am off to New Zealand for the first time, and was just wondering if i should change the setup on my board? (eg. stance, setback of bindings).

Also, if i was to hot wax it once before my trip, will that be enough?
Will be on the snow for approximately 6-10 days.

Hey vorn, you shouldn’t need to change your setup if you are comfortable and happy with it. If you have a good powder day over there, sure you might want to setback your stance for float, but I wouldn’t go changing your stance just for the sake of it (unless you are unhappy with your stance?).

That said, I always encourage people to play around with their stance. I’m not sure if you have read the stance and setup article? - it’s definitely worth reading if you want to understand more about your stance/setup.

In regards to waxing, no the wax won’t last for 10 days. A hot wax lasts approximately three days in my opinion, depending on snow conditions and the type of wax used. You will be able to feel the difference as most the wax starts to wear off. Your options are: waxing the board yourself, paying a shop to wax if for you, using some rub on wax (not nearly as good as a hot wax), or not waxing at all (don’t do that). I’ve listed those in priority order. 

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Thanks for the info rider,

I have read that article, very helpful! Has got me the stance that I have now, so I will do as u said and leave it the way it is. Only on powder days.

As for waxing, what I should have said was, what are my other options to waxing when im over there.

Is it similar prices to wax a board over there, as apposed to Aust.? and if I do it myself, what type of wax should I be using, both hot wax and rub on,
i have never waxed the board myself. so would be more inclined to get someone to do it or to use the rub on, but I guess the rub on would not last long?

No, rub on doesn’t last long - maybe a few runs to half a day, if that!

Prices should be similar to Australia. I would say expect to pay up to $15 for a hot wax, give or take. If your snowboard is already waxed, you should only have to get it waxed twice over there. That should get you through the 10 days no problem.

Don’t be afraid to play around with your stance as your riding progresses. I wouldn’t change your stance solely because you are going to NZ, but that doesn’t mean you can’t tweak it to experiment with a slightly difference stance. What stance are you riding with currently? How does it feel? Has your riding been progressing to the point where you want to learn new skills (i.e. switch riding, park, jumps, spins etc..)?

Hi Vorn,

Where are you intending to ride over there - are you after a fix of big mountain/powder, park action or a bit of both? Agreed mix up your stance depending on the style you’re doing for any particular day but taking a couple of different boards (if you can) is also a good option. Especially if you’re doing a couple of days of heli runs for example where matter how much you play with your stance a directional board will always out perform a true park/freestyle deck.

Also, if you are getting a wax in oz from a shop before heading over, make sure you mention you’re going to nz as a slightly colder temp wax than what they will typically use will give best results.

When are you heading over? I’m over there for last 2 weeks of August myself.

I ride with +15 on the front and -6 back.

I have played with it a bit and have found it to be a good setup now. But just don’t know which binding to change and by how much? 
(last time I did it, I did it too much and found it very hard to turn the board)

I have not tried the parks yet. Only small jump hear and there, but would like to give it a go. I think we will get a lesson or something when we go to Snow Park. But I would like to progress to spins and big jumps. I am always trying to get a bit faster and trying to get switch down pat.

We will be leaving on the 27th aug, and doing 1 day at Mt hut then the rest in Wanaka and Queenstown. All up, we are there for 2 weeks.

Defiantly there for the big mountain and powered, but a bit of both. 
I don’t think I will be up for heli skiing, as I would probably kill my self trying. Better to get some more practise in before I do that.

Hey Vorn.
To move your stance back from centre you will need to move both bindings. Use a tape measure and work out if your stance is currently in the centre than just use the hole set one back from that to give yourself a little more nose on those powder days

If you move one of the bindings one inch towards the tail, you set your stance back half an inch.

If you move both bindings back one inch, then the stance is set back a full inch.

Generally for powder I find a slightly narrower stance (compared to a freestyle stance) helps with turning, float, and minimises fatigue. If you are to only move one binding, then definitely move the front binding back (one increment). If you want to keep your current stance width but want to set back your stance for powder, then move both bindings towards the tail. Start with one increment (generally approx one inch) - if you want even more float, you can move them back another increment.

thanks andy and rider, i will try it out when i get there.