Choosing the right board (again!!!)

Hi,

I have been through the last couple of months posts on this board, and
all over the internet and am still really confused about the right
board to pick. I found that a lot of the review sites weren't so
helpful as everyone seems to give the board they have bought 5*s!!

I am 5'11", weigh 210 lbs (a stocky build, I also play a lot of rugby)
strong beginner/intermediate level (been boarding for 3 years, about 6
weeks in total). Freeride/all mountain board. Not really into the
park.... Size 9.5 feet

Thinking about one of the following boards;

K2 Instinct 162
K2 Access 163
Options Free Plus 159
Endeavour Director 163

Anybody got any advice? Anything else I should be considering? Budget
is not the most important factor, and looking for something which will
help me get to the next level and do more off-piste stuff.
Thanks in advance for any help and advice,
gbFunk

gbFunk wrote:
Hi,

I have been through the last couple of months posts on this board, and
all over the internet and am still really confused about the right
board to pick. I found that a lot of the review sites weren't so
helpful as everyone seems to give the board they have bought 5*s!!

I am 5'11", weigh 210 lbs (a stocky build, I also play a lot of rugby)
strong beginner/intermediate level (been boarding for 3 years, about 6
weeks in total). Freeride/all mountain board. Not really into the
park.... Size 9.5 feet

Thinking about one of the following boards;

K2 Instinct 162
K2 Access 163
Options Free Plus 159
Endeavour Director 163

Anybody got any advice? Anything else I should be considering? Budget
is not the most important factor, and looking for something which will
help me get to the next level and do more off-piste stuff.
Thanks in advance for any help and advice,
gbFunk


Off the top of my head, I'd probably say go with the Endeavour board.
They're a smaller company that seems to actually care about their
customers' satisfaction, or at least so I've heard. Other than that
though, I've had no experience with any of them.

Rick

"gbFunk" wrote

I have been through the last couple of months posts on this board, and
all over the internet and am still really confused about the right
board to pick. I found that a lot of the review sites weren't so
helpful as everyone seems to give the board they have bought 5*s!!

Would you marry a girl based on some random dude's description you've
read on the Net who's married to her sister? 8-0

Go and test-fu.. err.. test-ride those boards!

Anybody got any advice? Anything else I should be considering? Budget
is not the most important factor, and looking for something which will
help me get to the next level and do more off-piste stuff.

Hmm hmm.. I think a friend of mine just ordered a 168 Donek Wide (?),
and he's of about your size. We'll see how it goes.

"gbFunk" wrote in
oups.com:

weeks in total). Freeride/all mountain board. Not really into the
park.... Size 9.5 feet

Anybody got any advice? Anything else I should be considering?

Try to stay on a regular width board if possible - you (like me) are
right on the edge of regular/wide. Probably comes down to your boots
- I ride Northwaves which aren't as bulky as most so overhang isnt an
issue.

I would guess around a 165 with your weight. A 163 would probably
work if you aren't in a lot of powder.

You say money isn't a big issue so I'd suggest don't bite off more
than you can chew. Don't go for the stiffest freeride board even if
it sounds great. Get something a notch or two more flex and ride it
for a year or two and then move up. You can sell the old one or keep
it for a rock board. Also keep in mind where and what conditions
you will be riding in.

But if at all possible you should try to demo your choice(s). Even
if you can't demo the exact board you want, try to demo one of
comparable flex and sidecut and maybe compare that one to something
stiffer and something with more flex just to guage what generally
feels right to you.