07.17Ask Dr Snowboard
Ok so I get asked questions about snowboards sometimes by people, such as why they’re made the way they are, why they look the way they do and how people do the things they do on them. I figured making a page where people can post their questions and I can have a go an answering them would be a good idea 
I will try and answer any questions as quick as I can but I am a lowley student so sometimes dont have as much time as I would like for things like this. If anyone else has answers to any questions posted feel free to chip in.
A REALLY simple video I did for a TV program audition…maybe I should have done my hair as I didn’t get the job 
Does anyone have any real life pictures of their True snowboard? Preferably the Courage? I’m looking into ordering one, but I really just need to see one in real life. Anyone!? Please!?
September 16th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lizabrooks/1171528858/in/set-72157601950070891/
That is a photo which shows the top of the 144 model.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lizabrooks/1170535387/in/set-72157601941571700/
That is a photo of the 154 although please note the tone of the red has changed with the seasons and that is a first season model.
Cheers
Liza
September 16th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Hello,
I’ve been looking into careers in the snowboarding industry, and after an extensive online search i found your website. I have an interest in engineering and the idea of being a snowboard engineer sounds amazing, but I am open to look into other careers in the snowboarding industry. If you could send me any information or advice at all as to my e-mail it would be greatly appreciated. I can only get so far with my independent research and I really need your help to turn my passion for snowboarding into a career. Thank you and I hope to hear from you soon.
December 10th, 2008 at 3:10 am
Hi Tony,
How do you get into the Snowboard Industry? My CV (under EPortfolio) basically says it all. Good grades and a lot of hard work. I am putting this here as I get loads of emails on this all the time and figured this way will save my fingers.
I couldn’t find a way into the existing industry – I wrote to EVERY company in the world offering them the chance to sponsor my PhD/EngD and no a single reply. I then was lucky enough to get in touch with my now co-directors and we started True Snowboards.
A lot of people I know in the industry are ex pro atheletes though who have gone into team manager and rep roles for their sponsors. But then again they are not technical so if its the science your interested I can only recommend you work hard.
If I was looking for my successor I would require:
At least a 2:1 in a mechanical engineering discipline from an accredited university.
Someone who shows a high level of commitment and is willing to work hard. Sadly you don’t get to snowboard for half the year in this job. I have not been for about a year now through one thing and another.
I hope this helps you, Tony, and others.
December 10th, 2008 at 8:56 am
Greetings..
I am a snowboard instructor in the States and have studied Computer Science and Applied Mathematics for an undergraduate BS degree. More and more these days I find myself interested in pursuing an apprenticeship in snowboard manufacturing (possibly even design, eventually, but small steps..) in order to merge my analytical knowledge with my outdoor passion.
Having studied much of the higher mathematics relevant, I have a basic feel for the physics aspects of a snowboard, but I feel that a solid foundation in mechanical engineer would be a boost to any opportunities that may be available.
My question, then, is: What topics in the field of mechanical engineering are relevant to study (as I have neither the monetary funds nor desire to go back to school, but both the time and discipline to learn on my own)?
Also, are there any textbooks or literature that you have found particularly useful and would recommend?
January 22nd, 2009 at 3:16 am
Hi Chris,
It depends what avenue of snowboard design you want to peruse. But I would say if you are interested in the manufacture of snowboards then some knowledge of materials and in particular composite materials is a must. There is a great book by Ashby called Cellular Solids which actually has a section on skis as a sandwich structure. Also just to get a general feel of snowboard dynamics and the way they behave check out Mote, Ski Mechanics and Lind and Sanders the Physics of skiing as they are both good books. You can also get out my undergrad thesis which is held at DCMT Cranfield Uni (request though any library) and its called, Snowboard vibration isolation methods and materials.
If you are more interested in the dynamics then check out vehicle dynamics texts for cars…a snowboard is still a vehicle and you can represent its behavior with springs and dampers.
I hope this helps you on your quest
Liza
January 22nd, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Hi Liza,
I’m currently a third year materials engineer pursuing my bachelors degree. I’ve been snowboarding my entire life and am very interested in pursuing a career in the industry. I am beginning to brainstorm ideas for my senior project which I would like to do on snowboard bases. I was wondering if you could possibly give me some ideas on what I could research/test. I will be getting into advanced composites next quarter so any suggestions on what I should focus on would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Ben
February 9th, 2009 at 2:00 am
Hello I am a freshman in mechanical engineering at NC State and I am working on a research project on the design of a snowboard and the changes in marketing techniques. I was wondering if I could request an interview with you via email. Thank you for your time.
February 16th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Hi Ben, if you are interested in composites then you could look at any range of things from the materials used for different applications of snowboarding to what a particular material does to the behaviour of a snowboard e.g adding a layer of UD. I would recommend discussing it with your tutors and see whats possible at your uni e.g are you able to make snowboard samples in the lab?
I hope this helps.
Liza
February 20th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Hi Chase,
Not a problem email liza@truesnowboards.com with your questions.
Liza
February 20th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Hello! Just wondering if you are still issuing free stickers? Yr v lucky to have a job in the industry I find summers really make me pine for snow!
June 2nd, 2009 at 12:01 am
We are indeed
June 17th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Hi Liza,
Can you please give a list of careers that involve snowboarding in some way with an average salary?
-Matt
September 2nd, 2009 at 5:55 am
I’m an artist. A business associate is planning on buying blank decks, having me paint them, place her (way cool) logo on them, and sell them.
I know nothing about snowboards. Currently, how are the final designs put on the boards? Is it a decal with a final clear coat? Or maybe colors are impregnated into a 2mm layer that is glued on?
Thanks,
Kenny
September 3rd, 2009 at 4:33 am
Hi Matt,
Careers which involve snowboarding. Well it depends if you want a job in the industry itself e.g as a rider or along the supply chain. You could be an instructor, pro riders, distributor, designer, engineer, manager (financial, marketing etc…), PR, Basically a snowboard company is like any other company and needs individuals with a very wide skill set to function and be successful. I’ve recently completed shoting for a poster for STEM about the people involved in the snowboard development process.
I hope this helps.
Liza
September 17th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Hi Kenny,
For me as an engineer I don’t get involved with the printing stage that is that the graphics people look at. But it is a plastic layer for approximately 1mm thick. We used screen printing so the graphic is on the underside of the clear top if that makes sense. Avoids the colours getting damaged.
Cheers
Liza
September 17th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
I have to do a project for my Math for the Humanities class and I wanted look up the mathematics that go into the design of a snowboard. I was thinking something along the lines of the angles of the edges or the overall shape of the board, but I am having a lot of trouble finding any information on the subject. Would you have any idea where I might be able to find anything on this online? I need to keep it simple and within my realm of understanding, I am not very good at math but I figured that if i chose something I am interested I would actually get it done, haha.
October 29th, 2009 at 11:17 pm
Hi Sam, there is VERY little research into snowboard design on the internet. The only advice I would offer is get hold of a copy of New Ski Mechanics or The Physics of skiing and adjust the maths to match a snowboard rather than ski. Or speak to your teacher about your ideas. Its pretty simple maths and I am sure they could advise you on things like sidecut etc… as its circle arcs. Maybe look at the distribution of load on a snowboard edge so understand why people of different weights need different snowboards
Hope this helps.
Liza
November 3rd, 2009 at 9:17 am
what does the zero camber look like and which is a better board the burton con-dom or the lib tech skate banana
December 17th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Hi Liza,
Im a highschool student and im very interested in the engineering and designing of snowboards or anything related to snowboarding. I would love to pursue this as a career. I have a few quesions that maybe you could answer to help me get started. What classes should I take now and in college? What colleges have those classes? Once I committ to this career choice how do I insure that I would have a job once I get out of college. I also would like to know where to find someone already in this field to talk to. I would greatly appreciate any help you could give me.
Thank you for your time,
Kyle
January 20th, 2010 at 1:18 am
Zero camber is a flat based board so there will be no space underneth when lying flat on the surface of say a table (other than at the nose and tail of course) I can;t advise on my competitors snowboards…get a True Snowboard and join the revolution.
March 4th, 2010 at 11:28 am
Hi Kyle,
Classes – maths and physics, Engineering if its offered and design technology. I’m guessing you are based in the states so I am afraid I have no idea which colleges are good for that. I think your colleges are like our unis here? Mechanical Engineering is the degree discipline needed for snowboard engineering. I hope that helps in someway. Career choice wise its a tough industry to get into but if you can offer something different or special then the sky is the limit. I would recommend writing to all the major snowboard companies – you might get a reply I think Burton and K2 do internships – I did a project with K2 as an undergraduate.
Liza x
March 4th, 2010 at 11:32 am