Mid-Winter Development Sessions
We’re in the thick of winter and development of the full 2324 line.
The team has been putting our newest powder shape through its paces in the Northern reaches of the globe.
Hokkaido, Japan
It hasn’t stopped snowing since Gray arrived 6 days ago. Powder paradise is an understatement. In conditions like these, the keyword is float - how can we design for maximum floatation while retaining the hyper-responsive and playful personality our shapes are known for?
We’ve built this new shape based off a few boards from past generations. There’s no reinventing the wheel; our approach is to refine, adapt, simplify and evolve.
“I ran into Fancy in Niseko - she was showing a rad group of women a good time in the mountains, ultimate stoke coach. She’s on her way South to do some freeriding on the main island, so I left her with a prototype to get under her feet and put through the ringer” - Gray
Honshu, Japan
Just south on Japan’s main island, Fancy Rutherford has timed a reset perfectly. While she’s grooving through the forest, Fancy finds bliss through the maneuverability and lightness of the board- keeping her afloat and flowing forward.
A key design trait we’ve focused on with this shape is approachability. How do we create a powder shape that functions fluently among a diversity of riders?
Hemsedal, Norway
Alek weights his front foot to engage a heel side turn. Putting all his energy into the edge at a high speed, he pushes the board, trying to find its limit. At any moment does it feel hooky? Is the nose too soft and wants to buckle in the turn? Does the tail wash out?
These are some of the many questions Alek thinks about while testing new shapes. Development doesn’t stop until positive results are achieved.
While this new shape is primarily designed for powder riding, it’s important we ensure it will perform in a variety of conditions as powder isn’t an everyday reality.
Stay tuned for the release of the full 23/24 collection
Photography By Frederik Kalbermatten, Gray Thompson, Kieth Rutherford, Martin Strøm
