Newbie Snowboard advice
I don’t understand all these posts saying “don’t buy a board!”.
Don’t listen to them. Having your own board rocks.
I think it’s great you and your crew are getting into the sport.
A Burton custom is a great board but don’t be afraid to go with a cheaper board. I don’t think the bullet would be a bad idea either. Every single board out there has been snapped by someone, so hearing about one case wouldn’t change my opinion of a board. If the board is made for a beginner (I’m talking about Burton’s) then it’s harder to catch an edge and smash your head in. This could be a good thing. However, many many people learned on regular cambered boards and got smashed many times but still did ok. I caught my edge this season and got my bell rung on a ‘less-catchy’ board with rockered tips, so it is still possible to get smashed, no matter the tech in the board.
Anyways, you’re doing the right thing. Research online, then go to a store and look at the gear, and choose something that stokes you out
My Opinion for You!
1. Buy a board. For everyone saying rent first, have you lifted one of those monstrosities lately? If Marty has the money, wants a snowboard and sounds committed, he may as well just take the plunge.
2. Buy locally, it is your first board and it is nice to be able to see it, feel the flex, size it up and all that jazz before you buy. Once you are an experienced boarder who knows what you want, do what ever you want, we can’t stop you.
3. Check out sales and ask your friends if they have any boards they don’t want to use any more. (check with us before buying) You may get a bargain from a friend who used his “insert snowboard here” for a few weeks before changing his style of riding and therefore buying a new board with “insert reason here”
4. Be open to different brands. When I first started, Burton was all I knew as well. They are a good brand but there are many others:
- Lib Tech, GNU, Forum, Stepchild, Capita, Yes, K2, Arbor, Bataleon, DC, Neversummer, Nitro, Ride and Signal are all high quality brands from overseas.
- Chemical Storm, Find Boardsports and Catalyst are all good board brands (that I know of) from Australia. Rider and a few others have ridden the Chemical Storm Octorocker and said it is an awesome board.
5. For your size and weight, I would go for about a 154-156. 154 for Park / Groomers and easy to learn on, 156 - 158 for off piste or powder runs (if you went to Japan or Europe or North America)
6. Here is a Forum Destroyer from Ballystix in Melbourne which would suit a Beginner -> Intermediate perfectly. http://www.ballistyx.com.au/index.php?action=productcatalogue&prodcat_id=755&prod_id=23799&pageID=6234§ionID=0
Medium Flex, Reverse Camber, Coolish Graphics and $500. (The Burton Custom you’d be looking at $700+ for a very similar ride)
Other thing about Burton Customs, You won’t find them in stores (sold out) and you will see about 50 a day on the mountain because it is probably the most sold board in the world imo. This was also similar with the Lib Tech Skate Banana 2 years ago.
And as a beginner, you probably would be better off with people not thinking “All the gear but no idea!”
I definitely do when I see Customs or Bananas on people who are falling down on bunny hills…lol.
Thanks again, for the advice to all.
Just visited Capital 17 and got more advice as well, either way i wont be buying anything untill closer to the trip - to claim get the Tourist refund scheme!
They had some Burton Customs there and recommended it and the Libtech skate Bannana as well. The dude mentioned that I should consider getting something around the 148-150cm length.
Eitherway, my next stop will be Trigger brothers and see what they have to say and also to check out their range.
The dude mentioned that I should consider getting something around the 148-150cm length.
The dude doesn’t know what he’s talking about. 
Don’t forget, you can layby now and pay the final payment within 30 days of travel to claim your tax back. Just make sure the store knows your intentions, so they can consolidate the receipt(s) when you pick up the goods.
Hey MartyMonstah (you have to get a marty monster pic in your avatar with the kangaroo 
)
Good to see you getting out there and getting all the advice you can before commiting to a purchase. The crew here definately know their stuff.
With size, I would definately say stick round the 156 mark. Board length is more relevent to weight than it is to height. The board doesnt know how tall you are, it just responds to how much force you apply (your weight). The store clerk may have recod the 148 based on your height, but your weight ~80kgs, a 155 area board would be better suited and more versatile.
Yes a shorter board will be easier to get going initally, and easier to turn/spin, but it will also teach you bad habits. Better off picking a board size that is more suitable and will alow you to progress on the board like rider26 said.
When you start riding faster and more confidently the 148-50 wont be as stable when riding fast and hard. I am 70kgs and 5’8” and ride a 153, 155 depending on my board. I have a 148, but that is specifically for my rail/street board. Not ideal for all mountain riding and general fun riding really.
Hope your seach goes well 
The dude mentioned that I should consider getting something around the 148-150cm length.
The dude doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
My Opinion for You!
1. Buy a board. For everyone saying rent first, have you lifted one of those monstrosities lately? If Marty has the money, wants a snowboard and sounds committed, he may as well just take the plunge.
2. Buy locally, it is your first board and it is nice to be able to see it, feel the flex, size it up and all that jazz before you buy. Once you are an experienced boarder who knows what you want, do what ever you want, we can’t stop you.
3. Check out sales and ask your friends if they have any boards they don’t want to use any more. (check with us before buying) You may get a bargain from a friend who used his “insert snowboard here” for a few weeks before changing his style of riding and therefore buying a new board with “insert reason here”
4. Be open to different brands. When I first started, Burton was all I knew as well. They are a good brand but there are many others:
- Lib Tech, GNU, Forum, Stepchild, Capita, Yes, K2, Arbor, Bataleon, DC, Neversummer, Nitro, Ride and Signal are all high quality brands from overseas.
- Chemical Storm, Find Boardsports and Catalyst are all good board brands (that I know of) from Australia. Rider and a few others have ridden the Chemical Storm Octorocker and said it is an awesome board.5. For your size and weight, I would go for about a 154-156. 154 for Park / Groomers and easy to learn on, 156 - 158 for off piste or powder runs (if you went to Japan or Europe or North America)
6. Here is a Forum Destroyer from Ballystix in Melbourne which would suit a Beginner -> Intermediate perfectly. http://www.ballistyx.com.au/index.php?action=productcatalogue&prodcat_id=755&prod_id=23799&pageID=6234§ionID=0
Medium Flex, Reverse Camber, Coolish Graphics and $500. (The Burton Custom you’d be looking at $700+ for a very similar ride)
Other thing about Burton Customs, You won’t find them in stores (sold out) and you will see about 50 a day on the mountain because it is probably the most sold board in the world imo. This was also similar with the Lib Tech Skate Banana 2 years ago.
And as a beginner, you probably would be better off with people not thinking “All the gear but no idea!”I definitely do when I see Customs or Bananas on people who are falling down on bunny hills…lol.
good post
but 1) who cares what other people ride, or what they think? If the board is awesome and rides like a dream for you, does it matter if 50 other people have the same board? 2)do you feel better when you see beginners on cheap boards falling, or do you think ‘no gear, no idea’?
3) I don’t think the forum destroyer is a similar ride to the custom
oh yeah, save some money and get a board from last year on special
oh yeah, save some money and get a board from last year on special
Thats extremely good advice Gamblor! Tech doesnt really change much from year to year. You will save a mint buying last years model and it will ride jsut as good. Just because there is a new board out doesnt mean that last years is no good!
Hey MartyMonstah (you have to get a marty monster pic in your avatar with the kangaroo
Done!
love it!
good post
but 1) who cares what other people ride, or what they think? If the board is awesome and rides like a dream for you, does it matter if 50 other people have the same board? 2)do you feel better when you see beginners on cheap boards falling, or do you think ‘no gear, no idea’?
3) I don’t think the forum destroyer is a similar ride to the custom
oh yeah, save some money and get a board from last year on special
1) I have no problem with what others ride, it’s just that so many people pay top dollar for those 2 models and they would be better off with a board with similar tech that doesn’t cost an arm or a leg. They either got a sales rep that talked up the expensive board to make more profit (popular = expensive) or they have a friend (generally who is still on their first board) who talked them into “that” model and they had to have “that” model they were told was good with no research.
2) I don’t feel good when anyone falls… But when a beginner has gone out of their way for a brand new $700+ board and is stuck on Friday Flats, I find it funny. If they were on say a Stepchild Jib Stick, (similar price point) I would say they have done some research. Everyone has to learn, not everyone has to research what they want before they buy. (Props to Marty for research first)
3) (I meant the Custom V Rocker vs Chillidog Destroyer) Medium Flex, Reverse Camber boards, both under the Burton Umbrella. Similar but not the same. Cooler graphic on the destroyer in my opinion 
AND DEFINITELY GET A LAST YEAR SPECIAL! Save 25-50% some times… Great deals!
On a side note:
I was thinking that from now until i go to NZ, I would like to start conditioning myself. Are there any excercises that I can do that will assist in this endeavour? ie. Squats for the leg muscles etc. also excercise that may help with balance would be great too.
Cheers
Personally I find general stretching and yoga to be of best value. Yoga is excellent for flexibility, strength, and balance. Of course it doesn’t hurt to strengthen your core and legs. Cycling, running on soft sand, swimming etc.
On a side note:
I was thinking that from now until i go to NZ, I would like to start conditioning myself. Are there any excercises that I can do that will assist in this endeavour? ie. Squats for the leg muscles etc. also excercise that may help with balance would be great too.
Cheers
Martial arts.
Hands down the best conditioning evar IMHO ^_^
Have a good read through the Health & Fitness setion of the Forums.
Here are some threads in particular you mite find of help. But there is others in there you may want to look at to.
https://www.boardworld.com.au/forums/viewthread/94/
https://www.boardworld.com.au/forums/viewthread/306/
https://www.boardworld.com.au/forums/viewthread/399/