Swoard's Specs
The shape: we conducted countless tests and optimizations.
This gave us boards that work perfectly at any board inclination and in any snow condition.
The width: much wider waist width than what is usual for alpine boards. The extra width allows lower bindings angles and avoids having the boots touch the snow (boot out) during fully laid turns. Note: from 2003 to 2007, Swoard was to our knowledge the only brand that was offering wide high performance alpine boards (since it has invented and developed extremecarving by itself). Recently some manufacturers have been trying to follow the “wide boards” trend that we have (re)launched… and that was however criticized at the beginning. But an extremecarving board is not only a wide board! Nor an assembly of good materials. It must be much more than this! There is a whole technological know-how as well as specific constraints and new things related to this discipline, that only a very experienced shaper-extremecarver can feel.
The construction: the standard sandwich and cap construction was not sufficient to satisfy the demands of extremecarving.
It was necessary to invent a new system: the ATC Matrix (Advanced Torsion Control Matrix), which allows complete control over the distribution of the torsional stiffness.
It is this system that gives our boards their incredible edge grip.
The quality: high quality construction, high end Swiss manufacturing.
Each Swoard is made in the Swiss factory of one pillar of the snowboard world, who can answer our quest for quality and reliability: Nidecker Snowboards. Their team has over 25 years of experience building snowboards.
The adjustment of flex for the weight of the rider: usually, boards on the market are offered with only one flex/stiffness. This stiffness can only suit a narrow range of rider's weights. Light riders end up with a board that is too stiff and heavier riders, a board that is too flexible. To solve this problem, we provide three lengths and three levels of stiffness for each length. This offers nine possible combinations! This way, anyone can have a board that matches their size.
The result: boards with unique performance that make extreme carving possible for everyone, with the same fun and excitement, in all conditions.
Technical characteristics
Core: ash and spruce.
Ash in the bindings area provides for vibration absorption and unmatched comfort while maintaining the strength of the inserts. Spruce with its long veins provides a light and tough core; the camber and responsiveness simply become untiring.
The inserts are further reinforced with fiberglass.
Flex: parabolic core thickness.
As with any ski or snowboard, our boards are thicker in the center than they are in the nose and the tail. When viewed in profile, the thickness of our boards increases toward the center in the shape of a parabola. We feel this is the most progressive thickness profile available. It assures perfect grip and preserves all the maneuverability of the board.
ATC Matrix: carbon fiber parts.
Torsion control using our top secret and exclusive profile.
This revolutionary system gives our boards their unique performance. It raises the ride to a new level.
Fiberglass: tri-directional (0, +45, -45).
Very stiff in torsion, it works together with our ATC Matrix system.
Dampener: rubber.
Base: P-Tex 4000 ELEKTRA.
This base provides an incredible glide on all different snow conditions. Many kinds of wax can be used on this base and it needs very little maintenance. Graphite Wax produces the best results.
Sidewalls: ABS.
They are essential to laid-out turns because they will glide like the base.
Protection and durability:
A metal edge totally surrounds the nose. The tail is protected with reinforced aluminium.
The intense forces induced during extremecarving have obliged us to select only top quality materials. The materials, which are often chosen in standard high production industries, simply can not withstand the demands of extremecarving.