Academy PropaCamba Snowboard Review (2018-2019)
Academy has been building quality camber profile snowboards since 2002. This season (2018-2019) they partnered with Never Summer Industries to ensure long term quality, durability and consistency in their product line continues for years to come. The PropaCamba Series is Academy Snowboards Park and Street series snowboard that is right at home at your local mountain.
Snowboard Tested and Rider Specs:
PropaCamba Size: 155cm (25.1cm waist)
Bindings: Union Falcor & Strata (medium)
Boots: Adidas Tactical ADV size 9
Stance: 22.5″
Rider Height: 5’9″
Rider Weight: 180
Conditions/Terrain Tested: groomers, park, and all mountain terrain (carving)
Key Features from Academy Snowboards:
- Price $395 (MSRP)
- Mid Flex (6.5)
- True Twin that features Micro Camber construction.
- Bi-Lite Fiberglass.
- NS Super Light Wood Core
- Durasurf 4501 Sintered Base.
- Sintered P-Tex Sidewall.
- Vario Power Grip Sidecut
- Low Profile Tip/Tail
- Press Flex Core
- Harmonic Tip/Tail Damper
- RDS 2 Dampening System
- Elastomeric Underfoot Stabilizers
- Full Wrap Metal Edge
- Matte Top Sheet
Review:
After having a blast riding the graduate series from Academy, I was excited to see what the PropaCamba would do in the park and around the mountain for everyday resort riding. The PropaCamba has a minimalistic topsheet and base graphic which has a lot of appeal to me, you can sticker it up if you like or just keep it simple. The board itself is a true twin with micro-camber construction that is really mellow and does not feel catchy at all. After riding rocker camber and other camber medley style boards for so long, I’m always a little leery of going back to traditional camber, but this board is very easy to get used to and after my first few turns it felt quick edge to edge and the micro-camber provides a healthy amount of pop when you need it.
In the park the micro-camber allows you to lock into rails easily, something rocker does not really do, and I can really feel how this board excels on rails and street features. This board really feels at home in the park. Any rail features or small to medium size jumps are really fun on this board and it’s poppy on take offs and landings are easy to stomp! Carving on the PropaCamba is noteworthy as well, the Vario Power Grip sidecut really adds superb edgehold while carving and I was very surprised at how responsive the board was edge to edge it really is fun to carve and butter all over the mountain on this board.
Overall Impressions:
If you are a fan of camber snowboards this is a fun playful board, from a great rider driven company, that will be right at home in the park, streets or even cruising your local mountain.
Pros
- Cost Effective Price Point
- Solid on Rail Features
- Great for small to medium size jumps
- Great edge hold and carving
- Fun for ripping the park and cruising the mountain
Cons
- None
| Price: |  (4.8 / 5) |
| Performance: | (4.8 / 5) |
| Design: |  (4.5 / 5) |
| Overall: |  (4.7 / 5) |