- Price:$525
- Category: Park/Jib
- Ability Level: Intermediate, Advanced
- Size: 140, 143, 146, 149, 155, 161
- Flex: 7/10
- Shape: Directional Twin
- Profile: Camber
- Base: Sintered
The Kemper Freestyle is an ode to the old days on the hill, back when snowboarding was an anti-establishment subculture brimming with neon clad punks and flamboyant debauchery. The clue’s in the name with this one- this is your playful resort ripper, a retro revival with all the flair and panache that’s become a hallmark of the 80’s snowboard scene.
Like its predecessors, the Freestyle has a full camber profile sat inside a balanced twin shape. Camber has long reigned as the king of pop, functioning like a springboard preloaded with tension for extra ollie power. As you engage the board, the sidecut will power up and grip right down to the four contact points. It’s extra stability on the in run and landing, plus a big boost of power as you pop off the lip when you’re getting airborne. It’s not as forgiving as a board with rockered tips, but this is old school precision and requires riders who aren’t afraid to go big or go home.
“This is old school precision and requires riders who aren’t afraid to go big or go home”
Under the hood you’ve got a blended wood core, combining poplar for strength and durability, and bamboo for explosive snap and pop. Triax laminates transfer rider energy quickly and efficiently for a responsive ride, that’s not overly twitchy. The inserts are slightly setback down the board to put a little extra volume in the nose, putting a bit more power in the back foot bolstering its versatility without undermining its freestyle focus.
A well-executed method is quite possibly the most stylish trick you can pull on a snowboard, add this resplendent base into the mix and you’ve got a combo that’ll be hard to beat.
“Combining poplar for strength and durability, and bamboo for explosive snap and pop”
Whether you were a Kemper Kid back in the day or this is your very first rodeo, there’s no denying that you’ll stand out on the hill with the Freestyle. Hopefully it’s for all the right reasons and not because you’re rocking the same outfit you did when Kemper were around in the 80’s… If you’re more into point and shoot and balls to the wall charging, check out the Kemper Aggressor, but for those who want to add some old school vibrancy to their park game, then the Kemper Freestyle is definitely one to watch.
