By Melissa Pretorius
Ground-breaking: Camden Haven man David Goggin shows the detachable Boarder Kontrol breaking system, which aims to give begginner snowboarders a better grip on the sport from the outset.
A SNOWBOARDING study set for this winter, is helping one local business realise a dream of making the sport more accessible to the masses.
And, says Bonny Hills man David Goggin, has the potential to revolutionise the way snowboarding is taught across the globe.
Snowboarding is a thriving sport, Mr Goggin said, but participation rates are dropping and they have been for a number of years.
“We’re losing potential snowboarders to skiing, because its easier to learn, there seems to be less risks and there’s a certain image paired with snowboarding.”
“We believe we can change this.”
For the past few years, Mr Goggin’s Laurieton-based business Streetboardz International has stood as an industry leader for skateboards designed as a cross-training tool for surfing fundamentals.
He is now hoping the company’s production of Boarder Kontrol will see the same, if not greater, success.
He’s partnered with Thredbo Alpine Resort and Victoria University to conduct a research study into the performance and perceptions of novice snowboarders.
“The study of 80 people will compare two groups,” Mr Goggin said. “One using conventional snowboard equipment and the other using the specially developed Boarder Kontrol.”
“After a two-hour lesson, we’ll compare their results through a pretty simple test.”
The Boarder Kontrol system works on the concept of pulling on a leash with the trailing hand while riding a board.
The leash, attached to pull-responsive blade which digs into the snow, facilitates speed control, extra stability and bracing against any forward momentum.
Engaging the leash also naturally puts the beginner’s weight over the front foot.
“The most common habit of beginners is to lean back into the mountain to seek security,” Mr Goggin said.
“They then pick up speed and never get themselves into a position where they can effectively execute a turn.”
For the average-beginner, the first snowboarding session has historically meant plenty of falls, sore tail-bones and a bruised-ego.
But Mr Goggin is confident, the independent findings of the study, will prove Boarder Kontrol’s ability to change this experience dramatically.
He’s now searching for any interested groups to get involved in the two-hour trial set for between July and August, snow-depending.
Equipment hire and the lesson will be included free of charge and participants go into the draw to win one of five Streetboardz boards of their choice.
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