Caring For Your Snowboarding Equipment

by Matt Gio

When you're first learning how to snowboard, it's also important you take some time out to learn how to take care of your snowboarding equipment. A snowboard is an expensive purchase, so knowing how to get the most time out of your snowboard can be a valuable piece of knowledge. Also, the more your snowboard wears down, the worse performance you'll get out of it. Here I'll teach you how to take care of that precious snowboarding equipment so you can keep on boarding for many winters.

When snowboarding season is over, the first thing you want to do is give your snowboard a good inspection. What you want to keep an eye out for is any dirt or grime that may have accumulated on the board over the winter season. To clean off the dirt, apply a small amount of non-abrasive cleaner to a damp rag. Then, using the rag, wipe off the dirt. This should remove all the dirt, as well as any wax left from your previous snowboarding sessions, and it will leave a clean board for you to apply your last coat of was before storing it away. Make sure the snowboard is completely dry before finishing.

Before applying the final coat of wax, give the board one last thorough inspection for any damage or blemishes that you may have caused over the winter. File down any of the edges that look dull or worn back into the condition they looked when you bought the snowboard, or as close as you're able to get it. If you have a p-tex candle, take this time to repair any damage to the base. A p-tex candle can be found in just about all snowboard repair kits, and is a good tool to have for easy repairs that could snowball into something much more costly. If you don't feel confident repairing the damages on your own, I recommend taking it to a pro shop and asking them to perform the repairs for you. Also, ask them if they would allow you to watch them perform the repairs. That way, you'll learn everything they do, and feel more confident to do the repairs yourself after next winter.

Now the last step - the waxing. Get out your wax, iron, and scraper. Although it's very possible to use a household iron, there are snowboard irons made specifically for this task that make the job much easier. Apply the wax entirely over the snowboard, making sure to cover the edges and the base. Using the scraper, remove any excess wax that has accumulated on the edges and the base. This last coat of wax will provide a protective seal around the snowboard while it's stored away to prevent any further damage or rusting.

Just like the repairs, a pro shop would be more than willing to wax your board for you for a small fee. Most pro shops charge around $20, but if you're on a tight budget or you just want to be a frugal shopper, you should be able to find a good deal on waxings towards the end of the snowboarding season. Whether you're a do-it-yourselfer, or someone that just wants to drop it off for a professional to maintain, it's imperative you take the time out to take care of your snowboarding equipment. A few minutes and dollars at the end of the season will keep your snowboard in great condition and keep you on the mountain for many years to come.

About the Author:

Read more about finding the right snowboarding equipment before hitting the mountains. Visit Snowboarding Equipment Blog for the latest in snowboarding technology and gear.