Jessica Tripp "The Banana Technology"

Banana Board Technology Has Created Big Buzz In Snowboarding Market

Bananas opt for rocker (that banana-like curve) between the binding inserts. When a rider stands on a banana board, their weight presses out that rocker, applying pressure away from the tip and tail and redirecting it to the edge area at, and between, the feet. The board now turns much more underfoot, and is far less “catchy”, as the rocker naturally keeps the tip and tail from digging into the snow.

According to Lib Tech, they’re everywhere. Banana, combined with Magne-Traction, makes the boards looser and catch free, great for pressing boxes, rails, or jibs thanks to the rocker between the feet, pop well due to the stiffened tip/tail combo, and turn excellent on icy, or hard-packed runs when the board’s natural rocker is put up on edge. Lib also claims this jack-of-all-trades will float well in powder thanks to its natural curvature.

This banana tech. will be offered as an option on nearly every Lib Tech board for 2008-09. Gnu, the other Quiksilver/Mervin-owned brand, has also licensed the technology, and will offer it on the majority of their line. Roxy, Quiksilver’s women’s board line, will also feature the technology. Roxy’s Torah Bright has already been winning pipe contests with Magne-Traction for the last two years. This is a costly board, it will put you back about five hundred just for the board. it is a very popular board this year so it may be hard to find.