Q. When do we purchase gear?
Q. Hi there. My daughters, ages 11 & 9, just started snowboarding.
They've had only 2 lessons so far but really love it. We rent the equipment
. When is it a good time to purchase their own stuff? Should I finish the
winter (about 6-8 weeks) renting equip and then look next season or look
now? Thank you in advance for your reply.
Sandra
Kevin Ryan answers:
A.
Hey Sandra.
I would recommend that you consider looking into your local snowboard shops.
Many have Kids trade in programs or season's rentals for reasonable prices.
I have found great deals at garage sales and even salvation army stores, but
you REALLY have to know what you are looking for. Now I usually don't do
this but I'm going to give a plug for a company here. Burton is the ONLY
company out there that has an annual budget to develop and bring new kids
equipment to the market every year. Their high end kids decks, boots and
bindings are the best on the market hands down. If you can afford it, do it.
Consider checking out a summer sale after this season and see what you can
find.
For sizing boards, stand the deck on end and have it come up no higher than
the bridge of their nose or your children's brow. This will give them lots
of room to grow into the deck and still not overpower them. With kids it is
important that their boots are comfortable and keep their feet warm. Since
kids grow as quickly as they do, a little bit of extra room in the toes is
alright. DO NOT put 3 layers of socks on their feet to keep them warm.
Instead get thin acrylic snowboarding/ skiing socks and change them out at
lunch if they get wet. Bindings need to fit and they should be able to get
in and out of the easily by themselves. Most kids don't like being trapped
like an animal in their snowboards.
Let me know if you have any other questions and if they are into reading...
have them check out my book: The Illustrated Guide to Snowboarding. You can
check out a sample chapter online
here.
Have fun!
Kevin M. Ryan
Back to Q&A Index
of Questions
