Chuck Olbery Backcountry Powder Tracks Furano, Hokkaido

"Snowboarding is a mix of carving and sliding motions but conventional skateboards aren't designed to slide. Freebord carves and slides just like a snowboard. You can hug a tight turn or drift a long, gentle slide; flip the board into fakie or float a 360. Right down to the feel of its weighting and edging, the Freebord ride is snowboarding. Master a trick on the street then take it to the slopes next winter."  (taken from the Freebord website)

Four years ago, the people at Freeboard Manufacturing, based in the Mission in San Francisco had a vision of snowboarding on the streets.  An irresistible idea for sure - the ability to float long slides and easily control speed on the downhills when there's no snow.  Numerous prototypes were made which led to serious test sessions, each new prototype improving on the last until in the summer of '98 a first production product, the FB-112 was launched.

Ski Japan Guide contacted the people at Freebord to ask them about their product.  We spoke to Bayard whose words are reproduced below.   Next week we will publish an "on-hands" report of the Freebord, and one lucky Ski Japan Guide reader will also have the change to win one of these summer boards in a special summer Giveaway!  Don't miss it!

SJG: How does Freebording compare to snowboarding on the snow?

Freebord: Freebord is remarkably close to snowboarding and much closer than any other street board you can buy.  Not only does a Freebord move exactly like a snowboard by both carving and sliding, it also uses the same body motions to control it.  So you get the freedom of the snowboard ride while also teaching your body to move correctly.  We've had feedback from so many riders confirming this.  We've also trained many non-snowboarders on Freebords and when they finally got on the snow the results were amazing. 

Can you tell us a little background about yourself, the company and product?

I invented the product as part of my masters thesis in product design at Stanford University.  After I graduated I kept tinkering with the design and eventually launched the company.  I was joined early on by my business partner Bayard Winthrop and the two of us have been pushing it ever since.

The website says it took 4 years to develop the current system. Did it always look similar to the current system, or were there completely different solutions tested along the way – if so, what can you tell us about the process that got you to your current design?

From the beginning the goal was to simulate all aspects of snowboarding--both the carving and the sliding.  Originally, there were many different designs, some had as many as 10 wheels, but fairly early on we focused in on a version of what we are currently using.  It emerged as the most straightforward way to capture the motion of a snowboard.

Are there any changes or advances planned for the system in the future? (How about an off-road system?)

Of course!  The Freebord product is in it's infancy.  Over the coming years you're going see huge changes in response to the emerging needs of our riders.  Some riders are pushing freestyle very hard, sliding rails and launching huge airs, and part of our line is adapting to suit their needs for low weight and flexibility.  Other riders are really going after the downhill racing, so the other part of our line is evolving to suit their needs for high speed stability and control.  An off-road system has been prototyped but is still very much in the development stages. 

Any thoughts on the other “summer board” alternatives that are out there?

There are a lot of fun boards coming out these days and if someone wants to carve some turns there's a lot to choose from.  If a person wants to cross train for snowboarding there is nothing close to a Freebord.  The ability to slide is an essential part of any snowboarders technique.  Plus, it's super fun to be able to do it while maintaining full control.

Have you ever heard of any injuries from using the board, and if so what sort of injuries have you hear of?

Pretty much the same type of injuries that longboarders get, road rash and that sort of thing.  On a Freebord you have more speed control than on a longboard so that's a good thing, but you also have the potential for catching an edge so you have to watch out for that.  We recommend that all riders where full pads and a helmet.

Any experiences of Japan?

We've had some riders send video footage to us, groups of Freeborders bombing down streets and on park trails.  It's great stuff.

Any impressions of Japan?

Personally, I can't wait to visit, though I'm afraid if I do I won't ever return to the USA.  As a designer, I find it to be an amazing society.  There's an aesthetic that permeates everything there. 

There are so many ripping snowboarders in Japan, Freebord seems like a great fit over there.  I'm excited to see what happens.

Many thanks to Bayard Winthrop for the interview.  For more information on the Freebord, check out their website at www.freebord.com, and check out next week's feature.  You can also check out the Japanese website here.