New Board Needed
Hi Guy’s
Thanks heaps for all your feed back, I really appreciate the help. I would prefer to steer away from Burton boards, I’m just not that rapt with there binding setup. Never had a bad experience with it but it just doesn’t grab me.
I went with the Hybrid Type A camber as I took from reading the article that the Type B profile would more easily wash out on me when bombing hills or hitting moguls, please correct me if I’m wrong as I was pretty keen on that profile as well.
The Rome board does look killer and you sound like you had a great time on it, what size would you recommend for it 159-162.
If my assumption on the type B Hybrid was wrong what would you suggest for a couple of options to read up on for a possible purchase.
Thanks again for your replies.
Never had a problem with bombing hills on my jackpot. I have gotten to about 90km/h on the phone app which was about accurate (I ride a motorbike so you can judge the speeds by the wind / pressure on your face).
^ Have to agree with you TJ.
Matter of fact, I prefer cambered mid for bombing, which I usually use my Bataleon fun.kink for. I got my 105kmph using the bataleon too. which I didn’t expect.
I know my next board will most likely have a camrock profile or 0 camber (capita ultrafear or yes public.)
Hi Guy’s
Thanks heaps for all your feed back, I really appreciate the help. I would prefer to steer away from Burton boards, I’m just not that rapt with there binding setup. Never had a bad experience with it but it just doesn’t grab me.
I went with the Hybrid Type A camber as I took from reading the article that the Type B profile would more easily wash out on me when bombing hills or hitting moguls, please correct me if I’m wrong as I was pretty keen on that profile as well.
The Rome board does look killer and you sound like you had a great time on it, what size would you recommend for it 159-162.
If my assumption on the type B Hybrid was wrong what would you suggest for a couple of options to read up on for a possible purchase.
Thanks again for your replies.
The exact opposite actually. CamRock (type b) is a lot more stable than other hybrid profiles. It is super stable and rides similar to a full camber board. I need to revisit the article to explain this better.
^ Have to agree with you TJ.
Matter of fact, I prefer cambered mid for bombing, which I usually use my Bataleon fun.kink for. I got my 105kmph using the bataleon too. which I didn’t expect.
I know my next board will most likely have a camrock profile or 0 camber (capita ultrafear or yes public.)
Absolutely. Not to mention the significant benefits for carving performance. It’s why I only ride camber or CamRock 99% of the time.
^ Yeap yeap, which is why that new rome agent rocker with less pronounced rocker has caught my eye… my current agent rocker has too much rocker I think.
We’ll have to see, I did get myself a new board last year after all and I need use it before I move one… but the graphics on the ‘15 public and pyl….. grrrr… okay time to buy more tattslotto.
Yes Standard (or Greats or Basic) We all have a bit of a soft spot for YES boards around here and there is a pretty good reason why. The cam-rock profile is great, gives you good float and still good pop. Can kill the park and never caused me issues. I just put some money down for the new jackpot (but I like my boards a bit more parky)
What’s it like in the powder?
You get enough float or does it nose?
I was riding the 2016 Greats at Whistler over the past 5 days… Sunday was one of the biggest powder days of the season… floats really well. It’s not the same amount of float as a purpose-built powder board but it’s more than adequate in deep stuff. I made a point of riding through sections with even weight on both feet to test the float and the nose planed above the snow. I could ride CamRock all season, no questions asked.
^ Yeap yeap, which is why that new rome agent rocker with less pronounced rocker has caught my eye… my current agent rocker has too much rocker I think.
We’ll have to see, I did get myself a new board last year after all and I need use it before I move one… but the graphics on the ‘15 public and pyl….. grrrr… okay time to buy more tattslotto.
Do you have the 14 agent rocker? I was just looking into buying one… Is it not a good idea?
The Agent Rocker has always been a really nice board, but they changed the profile for 2016, and it rides amazingly! I had the pleasure of testing the 2016 model at SIA and it was one of the best.
The Agent Rocker has always been a really nice board, but they changed the profile for 2016, and it rides amazingly! I had the pleasure of testing the 2016 model at SIA and it was one of the best.
Is the older version still a nice board as well?
Yes, you can’t really go wrong with an Agent Rocker. It’s a fun and versatile board. Personally I prefer the new profile, but there was nothing wrong with the previous models.
The Agent Rocker has always been a really nice board, but they changed the profile for 2016, and it rides amazingly! I had the pleasure of testing the 2016 model at SIA and it was one of the best.
Is the older version still a nice board as well?
No. mines is a 2011 Agent Rocker.
But in effect the camber hasn’t changed until this season’s model (‘15-‘16.)
It’s rockered in the middle, with camber after the feet for bite.
Don’t get me wrong I don’t mind it at all and it’s my most “go-to” board (the board I general take to most places if I’m unsure of the snowfall/type.) But I prefer something more stable at speed. That’s just my preference though, and I’m pretty sure the new season’s AR can give me that.
I mean, what are you riding now and how are you finding it?
EDIT: Got beaten by Jez so I had to edit in quotes.
Have similar question regarding board advice. I was really struggling on beginner hire boards, constantly catching edges and ending up on my backside. Two trips to Japan (niseko and then Hakuba) private lessons and not a lot of improvement. I’m a good wake boarder, water skier and surfer and was extremely frustrated that I couldn’t quite get the hang of snow boarding. 
And then the revelation!! 
My son returned from a trip to New Zealand where he’d had the same problem until he tried the burton Process Flying V snowboard at a demo day ( he is also a good wake boarder).
The other difference was going from a longer to a shorter board (160cm beginner board to the 157cm Burton).
We used the Burtons at Charlottes pass last year and Canada at Christmas time and had a blast. These are so much easier to ride and carve, why are the beginner boards so crap?? Or is it just that we are used to wake boards? However reading the forum I see that these particular boards got a poor mention and are not universally liked.
So I’m heading to Japan in January and I’m thinking of buying my own board to take with me I’m 180cm tall, 72kg with 45/10 size boot and I really don’t want to get stuck with a hire board that is a lemon. I’ve been there and done that. I liked the Burton as it was heaps easier to carve, didn’t catch edges and was fast! I could ride the whole mountain, powder, groomed runs, trees, a few rails and the kiddy jumps (I’d put myself at best as an intermediate rider) but would appreciate any suggestions/recommendations regarding boards and size.
Thanks,
Mark
Welcome to Boardworld, Mark! 
The sooner you can get off hired boards, the better. Good call there. Some are decent, others are garbage.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but it sounds like you want more of an all-mountain board that can handle deep snow well, and a bit of park, rather than a strictly-freestyle-oriented board.
A board that immediately came to mind for a first board which meets these requirements is the Jones Explorer, and I think the 156 would suit you well. It’s priced well compared to other boards and excellent value for money, very versatile and geared more towards all-mountain and powder, while still being appropriate to ride in the park when required. Link: https://www.boardworld.com.au/products/jones-explorer-156-snowboard (you could step it up to the 159 if you wish).
The board is directional in shape and also features a directional CamRock profile for freeriding performance and float in powder. It also features all the high-end features you’d expect from a more expensive board, such as a sintered 700 base, and magne-traction for increased edge hold in icy conditions. I feel this board would suit you very well and it comes in at excellent value for a first board purchase.
The YES Optimistic is another one that stands out in my opinion. Another super versatile board, which will handle everything you want. This one is more geared towards all-mountain freestyle, but it will still handle freeriding and pow quite well. It’s a directional volume twin, so twin shape but floats better in powder, and a 10mm setback again for increased float in powder. Twin CamRock profile with all the bells and whistles (bamboo core, sintered base). Link: https://www.boardworld.com.au/products/yes-optimistic-156-snowboard
There are of course a lot of other boards to consider as well, but these were the two that immediately stood out for me. Please let me know if you have any questions, or if you want to consider more dedicated all-mountain/powder boards (of which there are quite a few to consider).
Offshore Snow Shapes is another brand worth looking at. Australian owned and all hand-made in Australia, built to specifications. They make great powder boards: https://www.boardworld.com.au/brands/offshore-snow-shapes
Hopefully the info above will give you something to start looking at. We’re here to help so please don’t hesitate to keep asking questions.
Thanks for that and yes you have pretty much hit the nail on the head:
“it sounds like you want more of an all-mountain board that can handle deep snow well, and a bit of park, rather than a strictly-freestyle-oriented board”
I will definitely have a look at those boards. In an endeavor on my part to understand the reasoning why recommend the 156 as opposed to the 159? Is it a standard weight/height issue or is it more my background with wake boarding?