Gravity Squadron: Testing of Powder Specialist in the heart of the Greater Caucasus

How did the Gravity Squadra board cope in the rough terrain of the Caucasus Mountains? Read the review by Freeride.cz editor Vašek Čajka!

Like a pig in a mud, like a monkey in a tree, like a snowboarder at a bar. That's the perfect connection between a Gravity Squadra snowboard and powder fun. 

In today's not so usual article full of my silly snowboarding wisdom, I'd like to share with you my salvo of experiences. A lot of them were made while cruising down the hill on a stylish little fish-shaped board from Gravity Snowboards. But who in the 21st century would read that anyway. That's a pretty crazy idea to devote your precious time to such an outdated activity, so I've got a couple of photos for you, and they're hopefully still a thing as far as I can tell. Everyone else, crazy, poor and rich fellow snowboarders alike, who don't already have reading on their list of hostile activities. Welcome.

In our sport, we usually have a couple of options of where to go. We can race down the groomed slopes, take shelter in the snowpark, sit in the apres ski bar or have a gr8 time in the pow. It is the last activity that has been very popular with all snowboarders for decades. This is also true for the guy who typed this article into his keyboard. So when you venture beyond the confines of the corduroy-enslaved slopes, it's a good idea to tailor your gear a bit accordingly. I was lucky enough to get a Gravity Squadra powder specialist from Snowboard Zezula to test on my last trip to the Not Russia state of Georgia.

Freeride Machine

Gravity Squadra is a new member of the Gravity snowboard collection designed for surfing in deep drifts of fresh powder. The board is actually much more versatile than it first appears. In shape it's an orthodox freeride board, but its features won't let you down on freshly groomed slopes or in icy conditions. God forbid I managed to test that on my first day in Georgia. But thanks to regular evening prayers, the snowboarding god relented and sent us an ample supply of the white stuff. So I was able to dip the board back into the powdery wonderland where the DNA says it belongs in the days to come.

 

Thanks to its fishy shape, the board feels in powder like a pig in a mud. From the first proper turn beyond the boundary of the slope, you'll fall in love with the board and enjoy the ride accompanied by eruptions of joy as you float through the powder. The shorter tail also ensures lightning-fast snowboard control, which will further help you achieve that longed-for surf feeling.

What I enjoyed most about the snowboard was its playfulness and unconventionality. With every pow turn, I felt like I was just riding waves in Hawaii, yet gazing at my beloved snow-capped peaks. Bigger drops were no problem either, and I never knew that jumping on a carved board could be even more fun than a classic one. It's just something new and a one enjoys it. And by the way, getting back to those Hawaiian waves, I've never ridden those yet, but I know it would feel identical. And please believe me on that or I'll be sad. Thank you.

Overall, I'd recommend the board as a playful friend to add to your collection that you'll pull out every time you crave an unconventional snowboarding experience. At the same time, if freeride and the backcountry is your mainstay, I wouldn't be afraid to go with the board as your only choice. After riding this beauty day after day after day, you'll be praying to the snowboarding god and begging him for a proper portion of snow so you can hit the powder again and again.

Personally, I really enjoyed the board and didn't find a single flaw on it. At the same time, I never once experienced that infernal pain in my back foot after a long powdering, because the board just floats beautifully. The long tip combined with the carved tail keeps the board above the snow. Plus that surf feel is something you hardly experience on a classic board. Big thanks to Snowboard Zezula for the opportunity and I encourage every snowboard enthusiast to get out there and ride before it all melts away!

Tested and photographed by Vašek Čajka for Freeride.cz

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