I still remember the first period I strapped directly into a burton clash 2009 snowboard and realized that snow-boarding didn't have in order to be a continuous battle against the own edges. Back again then, the sector was going by means of a massive change in how boards were shaped, and Burton was here at the forefront of creating the sport experience much less like a chore for those associated with us who weren't pro-level riders. The particular 2009 Clash wasn't just another basic deck; it has been sort of the "cheat code" for anyone tired of catching an advantage and face-planting each time they tried to link the turn.
In the event that you were across the mountain scene within the late 2000s, you probably saw this panel everywhere. It experienced that distinct look—usually featuring those bold, somewhat abstract images that Burton was loving at the time—and a status to be the nearly all "approachable" board in the lineup. But what was it actually like to ride, and the reason why do people still talk about this with such a weirdly specific sense of nostalgia?
Why the 2009 Clash Was Such a Game Changer
To understand exactly why this board hit so hard, you have to look at what most boards had been like before this. Most snowboards back again then were conventional camber—meaning they bowed upward in the middle. While camber is great for place and stability, this can be pretty unforgiving if your own technique isn't perfect. The burton clash 2009 snowboard transformed the script simply by leaning heavily directly into what they known as "EZ V" rocker technology.
The particular V-Rocker Revolution
This was the big selling point. The particular V-Rocker tech essentially meant the board had a constant rocker (a "U" shape) between your own feet and toward the tip and tail. How come that matter? Well, it lifted those get in touch with points—the parts of the particular board that usually tug at on the snowfall and send a person flying—off the surface.
Using it seemed you were hovering just a tiny bit above the slush. This made the panel incredibly "surfy" plus loose. If you messed up a rotation or didn't quite finish a turn, the panel would usually forgive you instead of punishing you. Regarding a beginner or an intermediate rider just trying to find their own legs, that was the massive confidence enhancer.
Built to Last (and to Forgive)
Burton happens to be pretty good at trickle-down technology, and the 2009 Clash was a prime example of that. Even though it was costed as being a "budget" or even "progression" board, it didn't feel like a cheap toy. It felt such as an actual piece of equipment that could take a beating.
The Core plus the Base
The board featured the Fly Core, which was Burton's classic tip-to-tail wood core. It wasn't the lightest factor on the market—if you wanted featherweight, you needed to invest double on the Custom or a Vapor—but it was sharp enough. It got a nice, consistent flex that experienced the same on day one as it did upon day fifty.
Then there was clearly the particular Lightspeed Vision foundation. Now, in all honesty, this wasn't the fastest base in the world. In case you were wanting to win a pull race on a flat catwalk, a person might find your self skating a little bit more than the men on sintered angles. But the trade-off was worth it: the base was incredibly easy-to-care-for. You didn't have to wax it each and every session to maintain it moving, and it was challenging as nails against those hidden early-season rocks.
Taking It to the Mountain: How It Actually Feels
When you actually obtain a burton clash 2009 snowboard on the snow, the first thing you notice is definitely how easy this is to revolves. Because of that rocker profile plus the "Cruise Control" edge tune, the board really wants to turn before you even think about it. It's very "buttery, " meaning you can press the nose or tail without feeling like the board is heading to snap back and buck you off.
The particular Park Experience Although it wasn't a dedicated recreation area board, the Clash was surprisingly fun in the jib line. Since it was very hard in order to catch an advantage, this was the ideal platform for learning boardslides or frontside 180s. You could get away which includes really sloppy landings that would possess ended in the trip to the medical tent on the stiffer, cambered plank.
The particular All-Mountain Reality Now, let's be real to get a second. The 2009 Clash had the limits. If a person were charging lower a steep, frigid groomer at forty miles per hour, the board could get a small "chattery. " That will same rocker that will caused it to be easy to turn also meant it had less effective edge touching the ice. This wasn't a carver's dream. If you were looking to put together deep, aggressive trenches in hard-pack, this wasn't your tool. But for 90% from the people on the particular mountain who simply desired to cruise, hit some side strikes, and also have an ale at lunch, it was perfect.
Who Should Still Buy This Board Today?
It's been over a 10 years, but you still see the burton clash 2009 snowboard appearing on secondary markets like auction web sites or Facebook Market. You may wonder if a board that's roughly 15 many years old is even worth the space for storage.
Remarkably, it still includes a place.
- The Budget Beginner: If you're simply starting out plus don't want to drop $600 upon a new setup, a well-maintained 2009 Clash continues to be much better than most rental boards. The technology is dated, certain, but the "forgiveness" factor is classic.
- The particular Backyard Jibber: Because these types of boards are so durable, they make excellent "rock boards" or even backyard setups. In the event that you're hitting PVC pipes in your yard or riding over thin cover up, you won't experience bad about defeating up an outdated Clash.
- The Nostalgia Rider: Sometimes you just would like to ride the gear you were raised with. There's a particular "vibe" to the particular late 2000s Burton era that contemporary boards don't very replicate.
Several Final Thoughts on a Legend
Looking back, the burton clash 2009 snowboard represents a certain time in snowboarding background where the concentrate shifted from "how stiff can we all make it? " to "how very much fun can we have? " It was part of that will wave of boards that made the particular sport more available to the world. It didn't requirement that you be a powerhouse sportsman; it just requested that you appear and enjoy the particular ride.
Is definitely it the most advanced board ever made? Not by a long shot. Is it a masterpiece of carbon fiber plus aerospace materials? Nope. But it has been a reliable, friendly companion for thousands of riders who were just discovering the reason why sliding down the hill on a part of wood is the best feeling within the world.
If a person happen to find one sitting in a garage or even at a music store for the decent price, don't scoff at it. It might be old, and the graphics might shout "2009, " but the soul from the board is still there. It's still catch-free, it's nevertheless easy to trip, and it's nevertheless a reminder that sometimes, the greatest gear is the particular stuff that stays out of your way and enables you just trip. Even after almost all these years, the particular Clash remains a testament to the concept snowboarding is, first and foremost, supposed to become easy-going and fun.