Snowboarders Are Going “Green”

The latest thing to hit the ski slopes is an innovative new snowboard that has already created quite a buzz thanks to its eye-catching styling and unique construction characteristics. The Makboard™ is a clear, soft flex snowboard made of Makrolon® 3103 polycarbonate resin from Bayer MaterialScience LLC (BMS). The Makboard is the only snowboard that is made from one material, has a clear appearance, and is 100 percent recyclable.

The Makboard has a concave bottom design referred to as “Flow-Thru Technology.” The concave feature channels snow through two slots in the tail, allowing the board to stabilize in the powder which provides effortless turns. “It is like nothing you have ever experienced, the soft flex and huge camber make you feel like you are riding a surfboard in powder,” according to Makboard inventor Bob Candler. There are no metal edges to rust or break from impact. In fact, an advantageous property of Makrolon resin is that it can be sharpened with a standard file to enhance edge control on hard pack snow.

“We chose Makrolon polycarbonate from the start because of its amazing performance in proven applications, as well as its flexibility and clarity,” said Candler, who has perfected the board for over 10 years with the assistance of his cousin, Bob Ryan. “Compared with standard snowboards that end up in landfills all over the globe by the millions, the Makboard is 100 percent recyclable, which gives people the option of living “green.”

The Makboard won’t delaminate like standardconstruction snowboards, and delivers a smooth ride with less chatter. Furthermore, the Makboard absorbs the shock of bumps on the trail, resulting in a ride that is easier on the snowboarder’s knees and body.

The Makboard is molded by A.L.P Lighting Components which specializes in processing clear thermoplastic materials. The board is about 62 inches (157 cm) long and weighs nine pounds, seven ounces. It ranges in thickness from one-half inch to one-quarter inch and has a cycle time of approximately fiveminutes. In a secondary operation following molding, 16 inserts are installed to hold the board’s bindings in place.

The first commercially available Makboards are now available at Tait’s Boardshop in Olympic Valley, Calif., as well as online at www.makboard.com.

For more information, contact Bill Allan, Bayer MaterialScience LLC, 100 Bayer Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15205, 412-777-5200, Fax: 412-777-3899, E-mail: bill.allan@bayerbms.com, Web: www.BayerMaterialScienceNAFTA.com.