Moving into Freestyle - Board question

QUOTE (BroomyG - 25/02/2010 @ 11:08)

I've been boarding for a few years now and was pretty much a "go down the hill" kind of guy up until this season. I've been boarding with a couple of guys who are more freestyle/Jib orientated and have got the bug.

I'm currently on a 166 Gnu Billy Goat, and not sure if it's technique or equipment, seem to struggle with certain things. I can press to a certain extent, but can't raise nose or tail to anything like decent height and if I try, I just fall over the back. I can hit jumps and rails fine provided there isn't any rotation involved. As soon as I try 180's or anything like that, I struggle a bit.

I know my board isn't ideal, it's pretty much an ironing board, great for charging down the mountain but a little lacking i finesse, and certainly sits about 8 on the stiffness scale.

For that reason, I've been toying with the idea of getting a second board, something a little more playful. Currently my thoughts are Capita Stairmaster, Forum Youngblood Chillidog or Neversummer Revolver-R. Although for probably price alone, the neversummer is probably least favourite choice. Seems a load of cash to spend on something I am going to trash.

I'm 6ft 5" and have size 11 feet, and am weighing in at around 125 kgs so sizing is also a bit of an issue. I am thinking a 159, but it seems like to get a wide I may need to drop to 156.

A bit of a sense check need from you guys, should I bother with a second board for getting into this stuff or do I just need to dry my eyes and get on with it on what I have. If a board is going to make the learning process easier/ more enjoyable and thoughts on the above or any other options people can throw into the mix.

QUOTE (bobjim - 25/02/2010 @ 12:29)

im the same as you, 6ft 6", size 12 boot and about 100kg,
im going for a hatchet 163 wide, they seem quite flexi and plenty of pop but still pretty stable

QUOTE (BroomyG - 25/02/2010 @ 13:03)

Thanks for the suggestion. Had a little look and a hatchet does look like it might be a good option.

My biggest concern is still that I am a bad workman blaming my tools and that a more parky board isn't actually going to help that much, but I figure if it helps me learn and enjoy the process, then it could be money well spent.

QUOTE (Chorlton - 25/02/2010 @ 14:17)

Nah, a new board always makes you snowboard better. A new board with amazing graphics can make you snowbaord up to 3 times better in fact!

QUOTE (BroomyG - 26/02/2010 @ 09:00)

If it's going to cope fine whole mountain, it sounds like I am pretty soon going to be selling off the Billy Goat. I guess it would pretty much make that redundant.

My worry about it getting trashed was simply with rails etc., the board is bound to take a pounding.