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Snowboards

CAPiTA Spring Break Powder 2016-2017

Here’s something you don’t see every day… Each length of the CAPiTA Spring Break Powder boasts its own unique shape. There are a few similarities – the flex and profile is roughly the same across the line, and all are heavily tapered – but it’s the differences in the nose and tail that are most noticeable – particularly in the tail.

 The 159 ends in a point, while the 161 has a crescent shape. The 165 features a rounded tail with a giant, gaping hole hole, which becomes a deep swallowtail on the 167. Line them up in size order and it looks like a snowboard growing a pair of fangs.

“When Spring Break’s Corey Smith started making boards, nothing was off the table, so it makes sense that his CAPiTA collabs should be no different”

The one we tested was the 165cm version (aka the ‘Powder Wolf’), as it’s arguably the most intriguing. That hole immediately set it apart from not only the rest of the range, but wider snowboard market as a whole.

So why do it? Perhaps the better question would be ‘why not?’. When Spring Break’s Corey Smith started making boards, nothing was off the table, so it makes sense that his CAPiTA collabs should be no different. Specifically, though, the hole makes the tail sink instantly into deep powder. With that massive surface area it was always going to float, but the hole transforms the Powder Wolf from a coffin lid into something more manoeuvrable – and kicks up one hell of a spray, too.

While it retains Spring Break’s ‘garage-y’ feel, all of the CAPiTA Mothership’s top tech has been employed here. The base features ultra-light balsa and poplar, and in a move inspired by surfing they’ve made it thicker than normal to ensure float is at maximum. Circles of forged carbon sit around the inserts, increasing the strength and response without adding too many grams.

The profile tips the hat to our water-dwelling friends too. A mostly flat section with rocker rises at each end (and slightly more pronounced in the nose). The sidecut has been approached in a similar way, offering a traditional radius at your feet that transitions slowly into that big, wide nose.

The Spring Break Powder is one for the soul surfers, then, but anyone who feels stuck in a rut after years of riding directional twins would do well. With four unique shapes from which to choose, you can’t go wrong.

Tester’s Verdict

Barry Parker – realsnowboarding.co.uk

The name says it all – a board that belongs in powder, but has the looks to be in the Twilight films.

“The longer edge allows for some serious carving, and it has way more pop than any swallow I’ve ever tried

That huge hole in the tail does more than just get the chicks; it allows for the tail to sink into the snow while the wide nose floats over the steep and deep.

It’s a similar feeling to riding a swallowtail board, except that the longer edge allows for some serious carving when you’re back on the piste, and it has way more pop than any swallow I’ve ever tried.

If you’re feeling risky, have fun trying to get your arm through the hole and inventing some new grab combos…

Trade Secrets

Corey Smith – Founder, Spring Break

I’ve been developing the Powder Hole design since the inception of Spring Break – it’s the ultimate deep powder snowboard. It works in a similar way to a swallowtail by allowing the tail of the board to sink in the deep stuff, except it doesn’t wash out on high speed tail-heavy turns and powder wheelies.

This board is incredibly fun and creates a unique powder riding experience unlike any other board out there. With its dramatic tapered tail and wide shovel nose, going over the handlebars in pow is nearly impossible. This year we added a traditional sidecut so it’s resort-friendly, and can be ridden on groomers to get to the powder stashes.

This is one of the most unique snowboards ever manufactured, and is a must have for any serious pow surfer’s quiver.

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Selected for The 2016/17 Snowboard 100

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