A combination of nostalgia and a response to the skyrocketing costs of resort snowboarding and skiing is causing more and more people to re-consider or newly discover snurfing. I say newly discover because all the marketing of snowboarding and skiing drives people to their expensive equipment and resorts, and people just don't realize all those snowy hills all around them are theirs to be snurfed!
The photo above shows just a few modern snurfers, introduced only in the last few years. Yes, these are all NEW snurfers, not eBay relics, including the yellow one, a recently issued replica of the original Snurfer-brand snurfer. On the far right is Burton's retro snurfer, the longest and widest of the bunch. When Burton starts making snurfers again, you know the sport is coming back. The others are different styles of the original "board and a rope" concept, with variations in length, width, sidecut, and style. In the middle is our own PHNX Board, seemingly the same board and rope concept, but the only one with several critical differences (more about them later). What distinguishes all of these snurfers from a snowboard is the lack of bindings and metal edges. Snurfers are not designed for the hard-packed or icy snow of groomed resorts that require greater control (and $$$) offered by strapping in with bulky snowboard boots and bindings on expensive p-tex/metal edge construction. BTW, don't get me wrong, resort snowboarding is awesome! It's just that Snurfers are meant to be quick and easy, inexpensive, hop-on, hop-off boards for all that terrain outside of resorts, the hills and woods that are all around. They generally cost from $100 to $200 compared to $500 to $1200 for a snowboard setup (let alone the cost of lift tickets, transportation, and lodging), and you don't need any other equipment. Snurfing is just another great way to enjoy all that snow!
Despite the renewed interest, a few hurdles remain. The first is this curious attitude among snowboarders that snurfing is for children only and not cool for teenagers or adults. While it may have originally been marketed to children, as it gained popularity older and older kids tried it out and realized just how fun it was. That included Jake Burton who refined his snurfer and eventually created the modern resort snowboard. Just because the sport was originally for kids or that it evolved does not mean it is no longer a great way to experience fresh snow. As a skier, snowboarder, and snurfer, I'm psyched to get out into the snow however and whenever I can. I can't imagine why any snowboarder wouldn't own a snurfer as well for those days they can't get to a resort or don't want to spend the money, effort, and time doing so. Fresh powder is fresh powder, however you carve it up!
The other hurdle is the competition between snurfing (and for that matter, any other outdoor winter sport) and electronic entertainment/sedentary entertainment. Its just easier to stay inside and watch a movie or play video games than suit up and go outside. And, with snurfing, yes, you actually have to walk up the hill! Lot's of people just don't want to make the effort, but they are missing out on a whole lot of fun (and endless fresh tracks!). For those who would be willing to make the effort, i.e. all those active people paying for their monthly gym memberships, it just maybe didn't occur to them that they can get an unbelievable workout AND much fresher air....outside snurfing!
OK, so you don't have a snurfer but you want one? Do some research. If all you want is a really cheap replica, you can get one for about $100. If you want a snurfer that retains the original concept but adds some critical new features, it may be worth paying a bit more for a PHNX Board. The difference between a PHNX Board and ALL other snurfers on the market today is the double-patented Board-to-Ski shape and Rip-Cord Binding-Brake System. Yes, it is still a hop-on, hop-off snurfer BUT these features give you more control. The secret to the PHNX Board system is the fact that the steering/handling rope is not a fixed rope like all the others (look closely at the photo) rather an active rope that activates a binding that locks you onto the board. In addition, the binding has an integrated safety brake to keep the board from running away if you fall during a run.
Whatever you choose, join the retrovolution and have a blast with the very much LIVING winter sport of snurfing!
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