Who Invented Snowboarding?

By Jessy Faraday
It’s always great to hit the slopes! But did you ever consider who was the first person in history to ever feel the joy of snowboarding?  Of course, the roots of snowboarding are several centuries old. Though we’ve got snowboard storage racks today, we know for sure that the modern development of snowboards was originated before the 1960s.  I’ve gathered some facts about some of the inventors of the snowboard:

4 Skateboard Storage and Display Racks Under $20

By Kyle Beck     

    Finding the perfect way to store and display your skateboard when you're not riding can be a hassle, and it can get expensive. Some display setups are going for $50 or more dollars...I don’t know about you, but that’s a lot of money to display something that I use frequently. Some display setups require you to remove your trucks, which often isn't a practical skateboard storage solution. 

The holidays have passed and we are finding our wallets emptier than usual, so I’m going to give you 4 skateboard display solutions for $20 or less.

Wood Paddleboard Storage Rack | SUP Display Rack

If you got a new standup paddleboard for Christmas or the holidays, or if you've had some SUPs but realize you need to take better care of them, check out this functional and affordable wooden paddleboard rack option for storing your paddleboards. 

3 Reasons Why I Surf - And Why You Should Too

By Natasha Hamilton

Surfing is woven into my DNA.  That might sound a bit dramatic, but it’s true.  Ask any surfer who has been surfless for longer than two weeks if their body feels healthy...

In Riding Giants, Laird Hamilton compared surfing to dragon slaying.  I humbly have to agree.  There are big majestical dragons with gem encrusted bellies and there are small quick dragons that can knock you off your feet.  Each time you pull your board off your surf rack, you are embarking on an adventure of epic proportions.   

There are tons of reasons why you should surf.  Here's 3 reasons why I do:

(1) Each wave has its own story

(2) Riding down the face of a wave is a spiritual experience

(3) Surfing melts away stress

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays - from StoreYourBoard

From everyone here at StoreYourBoard, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holidays!  Take some time off and relax and enjoy yourself, or take advantage of some days off to hit the slopes or maybe a trip down to the Caribbean to catch a couple of warm-water waves! 

Whatever you choose, remember, Santa is always watching - and surfing, skating, wakeboarding, snowboarding and skiing!  Great powder at the North Pole!

-Josh, Carli, Ashley, Nathan, Andrew and Mike

How to Buy Your First Snowboard

By Megan Maxwell

       This is finally the year you are going to get on the slopes and learn how to snowboard! While learning how to board is in itself an exciting and painful experience, finding the right snowboard can be equally as challenging. Buying your first snowboard may seem like a daunting task, but you just have to remember a few basics to make the experience easier.

Professional Snowboarders Killing It: Austin Hironaka, Scott Stevens and Corbin Clement

By Taylor Foster

For this article I just wanted to have some fun and find an excuse to watch some snowboarding videos and share some awesome riders with all of you.  Here's 3 guys who are absolutely tearing it up in the video world and proving you don’t just have to worry about winning contests - you should be out there having a good time.

(1) Austin Hironaka 

(2) Corbin Clement 

(3) Scott Stevens

Photo: Darcy Bacha

How to Paddle Out in Big Waves and Surf

By Natasha Hamilton

It’s the morning you’ve been anticipating, the surf forecast says the surf is firing off the local  buoy at 12 feet every 15 seconds.  Time to grab your board off your surf rack and go!  

But once you get to the beach, you realize that 12 foot waves mean 12+ foot white water.  Because waves are a transfer of energy from wind; the stronger the wind, the larger the surf.  How are you suppose to paddle out through all that soup?    

Peaks

The 3 most important things to ask yourself:  

• Where are the peaks - Is there a channel?  
• Which way is current going?
• How much time in between sets?

These questions usually can be answered in 10 seconds and will save you serious time and energy. 

3 Things I Learned Surfing El Nino 57 Days in a Row

By Dave Pascoe

With January approaching and the Southern California swell finally beginning to pick up, frustrated Santa Barbara surfers are finally getting their fix. Flat spells hit every summer, when swells are blocked by the Channel Islands and parts of the Pacific turn into a lake. After such a long stretch of nothing but ripples, I can’t help but think back to the amazing El Niño winter in 2009 when I surfed 57 days in a row.

At the time, I was a freshman in college, recently relocated from the frigid waters just north of San Francisco and basking in my newfound proximity to what have become some of my all-time favorite breaks. To celebrate my good luck and the seemingly tropical temperatures - at least compared to what I was used to back at home - I made it a point to catch at least three waves every single day during UCSB’s winter quarter, and I almost made it. 

3 Things I Learned from Surfing 57 Days in a Row:

3 Things that Cause Skateboard Wobbles and How to Fix Them

By Kyle Beck

So you’ve been progressing in your riding, hitting bigger hills, gaining more speed, and you’ve found yourself face to face with the bane of the longboarder’s existence: Speed Wobbles. 

Photo Credit

Speed wobbles are a complicated phenomenon that happen when the board begins to oscillate back and forth, which can happen naturally based on many factors such as wind, draft, and the surface you are riding on. So how does a rider deal with this dreaded phenomenon? There are many different methods, and I will explain a few of them.

4 Tips to Keep Your Surfboards Safe When Traveling | Packing Surfboards

By Zac Heisey

A well known-fact among traveling surfers: airline baggage handlers don’t surf. If they did, there wouldn’t be so many bummed surfers arriving at their destination only to find their quiver smashed, thrashed, and destroyed beyond repair. Fortunately for surfers looking to expand their cultural horizons – and their wave options – a whole host of tips exist to help ensure that their boards stay safe from the surf rack to the beach.

How to Change Your Skateboard Wheels and Trucks

By Kyle Beck

So you’ve been skating for a while now and you’re starting to get pretty good, only problem is those trucks on your board are worn down from grinds, and your wheels are so worn it feels like you’re riding on ice. Changing trucks and wheels can be a little bit of a daunting task for a beginner, so I’m going to walk you through the process step by step so you minimize downtime and get back out to the important stuff...riding!

  

ASP World Tour 2013 Season Recap: Mick Fanning vs. Kelly Slater

By Andrew Sachs
2013 ASP World Tour Season Recap: the 2013 season of the ASP surfing world tour will go down in history as a season as dramatic and exciting as any other, with an epic, year-long, back and forth battle between Kelly Slater and Mick Fanning that was only settled by Mick's last-minute heroics in his Round 5 and Quarterfinal heats at the last event of the season, Pipeline, that clinched him the title.  Kelly's 3 event wins in pumping conditions (Bell's, Cloudbreak, Pipe) topped Mick's 1 contest win (poor conditions, France), but Mick was Mr. Consistency, reaching the quarterfinals or better in 9 of 10 events.  The question is: should the most consistent surfer earn the world title or the one who wins the most in the best conditions?

Kelly Slater Wins Pipe Masters 2013 | Mick Fanning Claims the ASP World Title

By Andrew Sachs
Mick Fanning claimed his 3rd ASP World Title yesterday at the Pipe Masters in pumping 10-12 foot Pipeline on a day that will go down in surf history because of the near-perfect conditions and also because of Mick's remarkable last minute heroics in both Round 5 and the Quarterfinals, turning 2 near-certain heat losses into wins, and keeping Kelly Slater from his 12th title.

Mick Fanning - 2013 world champ

How to Stay Warm on the Slopes - Skiing and Snowboarding Tips

By Jessy Faraday

It’s that wonderful day out on the ski slopes you've been waiting for! Oh yes, you want to enjoy every bit of it, but can you beat the extreme cold?

Photo Credit

What to Pack for Your Next Ski or Snowboard Trip

By Taylor Foster

For most of us winter vacation is coming up, that means many of you will be planning a trip up to the mountains for some fun on the slopes. There’s no reason for you to get to the mountain and realize that you’re not prepared and you’ve forgotten a crucial piece of gear, so I’ve set up a packing list at the bottom of this article to make sure nothing gets left behind. Trust me, no matter your experience level we’ve all had that time where you forgot to pack that one piece of gear back at home...

"Image courtesy of [Evgeni Dinev] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net"

4 Reasons You Should be Wearing a Ski Helmet This Ski Season

By Jessy Faraday

You're all set to hit the snowy slopes this winter, and it is definitely the right time to show off your best skiing moves. But wait! Are you wearing your ski helmet? Don't think helmets are for kids only. Now that ski enthusiasts are becoming more aware of the risks of injuries and accidents associated with skiing, even the best skiers never hit the slopes without their helmet. Still thinking why you should have one? The following reasons will tell you why your ski helmet is one of the most essential equipment items you will need to keep in your ski storage lineup:

Photo Credit

How to Ollie on a Snowboard

How to Ollie on a Snowboard

Similar to skateboarding, one of the first tricks you want to attempt on a snowboard is the ollie. An ollie is a practical trick that can be used all around the mountain and is the precursor for more advanced tricks.

Is an ollie the same thing as jumping?

No, at first it may appear that an ollie is just someone jumping off the snow with their snowboard. While technically this is true, the difference is HOW you specifically jump off the snow. With an ollie, you don’t jump up with both feet at the same time. Instead, you bring your front foot up first followed by your back foot to do an ollie.

Pipe Masters 2013 | Kelly Slater Looks To Top Mick Fanning for World Title

By Andrew Sachs
After a nearly 2 month hiatus, the WCT is back on and the Pipe Masters, the final event of the season, is going off to determine who will be the 2013 world champ.  It's shaped out to be a battle between Mick Fanning and Kelly Slater, but the odds are stacked up against Kelly.  Anything less than a win by Kelly, and Mick claims his third crown (along with '09 and '07).  And, even if Kelly wins, if Mick reaches the semifinals, he's still the champ.  Like I said, tough odds, but if anyone is up to the challenge to pull victory from defeat, it's Kelly.

Best Colorado Ski Resorts for Beginners

By Allen Glines

Colorado is a part of the country that’s well-known for its culture of winter sports and other recreational activities. When you make a decision to vacation there, you will find that you have your work cut out for you when it comes to picking which resort you want to frequent. Each individual resort exemplifies the best of what people can do when the weather gets cold. You should make an effort to read the reviews about each of these destinations online before you set out on your journey. Below is a list of five of the top ski resorts that you should frequent.

SportTube | Ski and Snowboard Hard Travel Cases

By Andrew Sachs
If you have travel plans over the winter for some ski or snowboard action, you need to check out the SportTube line of ski and snowboard travel cases that we now have available on StoreYourBoard.  These cases will keep your gear safe and secure on your trek for perfect powder days!

Give Art for the Holidays | Mount Skateboard Decks

I was reading the Wall Street Journal on Friday and came across this article titled "Giving the Gift of Art" by Anna Russell (requires log in, dagger!).  It talks about the rise in popularity of art as a holiday present and the different forms of art that you can give.

photo illustration credit: C.J. Burton

Enter to Win a GoPro Hero3 Silver Edition - Contest Ends 12/13!

Here is our way of saying thank you this holiday season to all of our fans - we are giving away a GoPro Hero3 Silver Edition Camera on 12/13!

There are 4 ways to enter, on our social media pages (@storeyourboard):

1. Twitter
2. Instagram 
3. Pinterest  
4. Facebook 

Full details and terms available here.  Good luck and thanks for all your support!



Visit: www.StoreYourBoard.com

What is Snowboard Rocker and Camber?

Snowboard technology can be confusing: camber, twin-tip, rocker, beveled edge, sintered base, etc is just a partial list of all the jargon used to describe a snowboard. I can’t explain it all in this post, but I will explain one of the most important aspects – rocker and camber.

SUP Rack Storage for 3 Paddle Boards | Customer Photo and Review

SUP Storage.  If you're looking for a rack to store multiple paddle boards, check out this SUP rack.  Made out of steel for sturdy, secure storage for those expensive SUPs, the rack has 3 arms = SUP storage for 3 boards.  The arms are padded with high density foam to make sure that you don't scratch or ding your paddle boards when storing or taking them out for your next ride.

The rack is designed to accommodate all types of paddle boards, as the rack arms are spaced 11.5 inches apart, so some very thick boards still fit.  The rack arms themselves are 21 inches wide, so generally paddle boards 35 inches wide fit onto the arms.  

Check out the picture below, showing how one of our customers, Bob, set up the SUP rack.  He stacked two of the racks together, creating SUP storage for 6 boards.  Now imagine how much space those boards would take up without the rack...

Here's what Bob had to say about this SUP rack:

We had to make a quick purchase to solve a storage problem for our SUPs and the Store Your Board option worked great!  We layered two racks one above the other and now have ample storage for 6 boards (see picture).  We did go above the recommended total weight but felt the rack was of sturdy construction and we anchored into studs for secure mounting.

Skateboard Wall Mount | Skateboard Deck Art

Skateboard Deck Display.  If you're looking to display your skateboard deck, check out this skateboard mount.  Quick and easy to install, your deck will "float" on the wall with this mount, like a work of art.  Put your old decks to good use - the price is right at $7.99...

Here's what Mike, one of our customers, said about the skateboard mount:  

I had tried a couple handmade efforts to hang my first skate deck - which is a commemorative autograph by Nonpoint. I was super frustrated trying to mount it from scratch in my office, wary it is an autographed piece. So I gave the floating mounts a try, encouraged by the celeb endorsements. Using a YouTube video as a guide, I got the board mounted in less than 10 minutes and it looks great on my wall. It's a show piece, so to have it mounted and fresh, I'm more than happy. The materials were cut and dry, and even a dope like me could figure it out pretty easily. Thank you very much!!!

Who has the best snow? Tahoe or Utah?

Last week, I began this discussion of who has the best snow in the US: coastal mountain ranges (CA, OR, WA) or interior mountain ranges (WY, CO, UT)? To answer this question, I started to explore pros and cons of the snow most associated with each region: Sierra cement (coastal ranges) and Champagne powder (interior ranges). Last week’s blog focused on Sierra cement, so this week’s blog will wrap it up with a discussion of Champagne powder.

Skateboard Storage Racks | Customer Photo

By Andrew Sachs

Skateboard Racks.  Here's a picture that Ray, another one of our stoked customers, sent us showing off his skateboard storage using our skateboard rack.  He's stacked 3 racks together to get storage for 9 skateboards, and he's even tossed a scooter into the rack no problem.  Really great way to organize his garage and mount his skateboards to keep them safe and ready to go.  

Surf Trip Travel: Disadvantages to Renting a Car

By Andrew Sachs
All surf trips are different. Some surf destinations might not even have cars! Some surf breaks are only accessible by boat.  But there are plenty of surf trips where you land and have to drive to the surf break. Or you may want to drive around to different breaks. We already wrote about the advantages; here are some of the disadvantages to renting a car on your next surf trip.

the Volcom gate at BQN

3 Bike Wall Storage Rack | Customer Photo

By Andrew Sachs

Bike Storage Rack.  Here's a picture that Laura, another one of our stoked customers, sent us showing off her bike storage using our bike wall rack.  She set up this triple bike rack right inside her apartment, which lets us know that she is serious about keeping her bikes safe and organized but always ready to go for the next ride.  This bike storage rack is a popular choice for garage bike storage, but Laura proves it is versatile enough to store your bikes anywhere.  

Surfing in Marketing - Mac OS X Mavericks Operating System

Surf Marketing.  Anyone that surfs know how "cool" of an experience it is.  Lately, I have been noticing that companies are using surfing's "cool" factor in advertising to appeal to the larger population, hoping that some cool will rub off on their products.  Here are three recent examples.

Snow Discussion Pros and Cons: Sierra Cement and Champagne Powder

Powder, Sierra cement, white stuff, champagne, gnar gnar, the fluffy stuff, or whatever way you choose to call it, SNOW. As the season approaches, snow insidiously starts to creep into our minds distracting us from our daily lives. Inevitably, snow has begun filling my thoughts and made me think of an age old debate over who has the best snow. Is it the Sierra Nevadas and Cascade Mountains in California, Oregon, and Washington? Or is it the Rocky Mountains in Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming?

One Last Wakeboard Run for the Season | Fall Wakeboarding

Check it out!  The leaves are changing and the wakeboard season is winding down (for many of us).  Take advantage of the fall days while the weather still lets you and get out on the lake for some final runs.

And for wakeboard storage in the offseason, check out our wakeboard racks - perfect for storage and display in your house, garage, or other storage spot when your wakeboards aren't in use.

Surf Trips and Travel: Advantages to Renting a Car

By Andrew Sachs
All surf trips are different. Some surf destinations might not even have cars! Some surf breaks are only accessible by boat.  But there are plenty of surf trips where you land and have to drive to the surf break. Or you have to drive around to different breaks. Here are some of the advantages to renting a car for your next surf trip.

Setting Up Your Snowboard Stance - Binding Angle

Setting up your snowboard’s stance is imperative to your health and will be a big factor in how quickly you can progress your skills. As mentioned in last week’s article, the two most important aspects of your stance are the width of your stance and the angle you have your feet turned. Dialing in these parameters will save your ankles, knees, and will put you in a mechanically advantageous position for balance, and thus, proper technique.

Kai Otton Wins the Rip Curl Pro Portugal | Title Race Still On For Kelly Slater and Mick Fanning

By Andrew Sachs

Kai Otton outlasted Nat Young today in less-than-stellar waves at the Rip Curl Pro Portugal.  But the biggest news from the contest is that because Kai knocked off Mick Fanning in the quarterfinals, Mick didn't clinch the world title.  Instead, the title fight will be decided at Pipe, the 10th and final event of the season, where Kelly Slater still has a shot at claiming the crown for the 12th time.  He's up against it though; anything less than a win by Kelly and Mick will grab his 3rd world title.  And even if Kelly wins, Mick takes homes the title if he reaches the semifinals.  Unfortunately, the drama won't unfold for another 2 months, when the Billabong Pipe Masters fires on December 8.

Snowboard-Wakeboard-Skateboard Combo Wall Rack | Customer Photos

Snowboard - Wakeboard - Skateboard Rack

Check out this board rack setup from our friend Mario in Winter Haven, Florida.  This rack has tons of versatility and it's all being put to good use with multiple wakeboards, snowboards, and skateboards.  Picture proof that this rack does it all and provides a great wall storage and display option for your favorite boards.  The looks are a fit for inside your house as shown here but also works in your garage or other storage areas.  

A nice touch we haven't seen before is the climbing wall on the right side of the frame.  When you want to get your boards up and down, you have to go for a little climb.  That is a really great way to bring all your sports together in the same spot.  Props, Mario.  

How to Set Your Snowboard Stance

Whether you are just starting out or are a seasoned veteran, getting your stance right is imperative. There are two main reasons why your stance is important. First, having the proper stance helps prevent injuries by putting your knees and ankles at more natural angles. Second, a proper stance promotes better technique when riding which will lead to lower fatigue and growth in your skills.

Renting Surfboards on Surf Trips | Advantages and Disadvantages

By Andrew Sachs
A big question when you're planning a surf trip is – should I pack my surfboards or rent them at my destination?

Mick Fanning Claims the Quik Pro France Title, Widens His Lead Over Slater at #1

By Andrew Sachs
Mick Fanning defeated Gabriel Medina to claim the Quik Pro France title, finally breaking through for his first win of the season.  Combined with Kelly Slater's ouster in the quarterfinals, Mick's win opened up a 5,000 point cushion over Slater at the top of the standings in the race for the 2013 world title.  It's important to note that the world champ is crowned based on his best 8 out of 10 events, so the current standings are not the true point totals that will be used to calculate the champ.  That said, Mick has no worse than a 9th place finish this season, meaning even if he bombed the last two events, he still would have a strong shot at ending up on top.  Slater and the rest of the field have their work cut out in the last two events in Portugal and Hawaii.

Magne-Traction and Serrated Edge Skis and Snowboards

     Popularized by Mervin manufacturing companies Lib Tech and GNU, the idea of serrated edge skis and snowboard has gained traction (pun intended) over the last couple of years. Also known as Magne-Traction, serrated edge skis and snowboards are designed to provide additional gripping power for your shred stick(s). The basic premise is that the wavy edge of the board provides additional contact surfaces for the board to grip the surface.

Surf Trip Activities: What to Do When It's Flat... (Part 2)

By Andrew Sachs
So you've planned the best surf trip. You researched the spot and picked the time when it always gets the best swell. You know you have the most killer surf trip planned. And then you get there, and…it’s flat. Well even Hawaii gets flat.  The point is if you go on surf trips, you will inevitably be faced with days when there're no waves. Or worse, you land and the swell is so big that guys are towing in.  So you have to find something else to do.   (See our Part 1 with other activities)

Hang Time Snowboard Wall Mount Rack

The Hang Time Snowboard Wall Mounts are an awesome way to show off your snowboard. This rack allows you to store your snowboard with or without the bindings attached – a huge benefit for those who are actively riding. Another cool thing about this rack is that you can store your board vertically, horizontally, or any way in between. With its minimalistic design, this rack is meant to show off your board and not the rack. See more pictures, read more reviews, or pick up your own at http://www.storeyourboard.com/hatisnwamo.html

Wakesurfing with the StoreYourBoard Team

This past weekend the StoreYourBoard crew got out on Lake Anna for some wakesurfing.  We hit the lake early to beat the crowd (and the rain) for what turned out to be a really solid session.  Check it out!

4 Ski Storage Rack | Wall Ski Rack

This wooden ski storage rack will hold 4 pairs of skis on your wall along with poles and other gear that you want to store with your skis.  Simple and practical, this ski rack is a great way to protect your skis when they're not in use by storing them safely in your garage, basement, shed, laundry room, mudroom, bedroom or wherever else you store your skis.

Taj Burrow Knocks Off Julian Wilson to Claim the 2013 Hurley Pro

By Andrew Sachs
Aussie ripper Taj Burrow conquered an upset-filled field to win the 2013 Hurley Pro, defeating fellow mate Julian Wilson in the finals to claim the victory.  The Hurley Pro proved to be the most unpredictable event of the season so far, with neither of Kelly Slater or Mick Fanning qualifying for the quarterfinals for the first time in 2013.  Taj and Jordy Smith (semis) used their strong finishes to move up 1 place each in the overall rankings to 3 and 4, respectively, gaining some ground on Mick and Kelly at 1 and 2.

How to Winterize Your Wakeboard Boat

Unfortunately, the wakeboarding and boating season is coming to a close for many of us as October approaches. That means it’s time to start thinking about winterizing your boat. Winterizing your boat is of critical importance and should not be an afterthought! Taking the time to properly winterize your boat will save you significant amounts of cash and headache come spring time, and will prolong the life of your boat. On a similar note, if you know your boat is in need of repair, then fall and winter are the ideal times to get work done. Marine mechanics will be in a seasonal lull and that means you’ll get your boat back quicker (and potentially cheaper).

Skateboard Wall Racks at School

By Andrew Sachs
Check out this picture of our skateboard racks installed for skateboard and scooter storage at Sylvan Middle School, in Citrus Heights, California.

The administrative team at Sylvan wanted its students to exercise and stay healthy and one of the ways to do so was to skateboard or scooter to school.  To encourage their kids to do this, they bought skateboard wall racks to store the students' skateboards and scooters who took the school up on the exercise initiative.  The participation has been strong and the kids and administration are enjoying the racks!

We are impressed by Sylvan Middle School's step to really connect with its students.  That's one of the things that school should be about.  More schools need to follow Sylvan's lead.



Visit: www.StoreYourBoard.com