Board: Gnu GWO

Size: 156

Camber Option: Banana. Full center reverse.

Bindings: Rome Black Label

Stance: 21.5 Wide 15 Negative 12 Goofy

Boots: K2 Thraxis Size 10

My Weight: 200lbs

Resort: Arapahoe Basin

Conditions: A mix of clouds and blue skies, low winds, warm temps, slush, chop, chunder, and creamy groomers.

Flex: This board is just below a middle of the road park flex. There’s a lot of flex way out at the end of the tips but then about two inches back from the tip kick it starts to slightly stiffen back up through the middle. The torsional flex is highly abundant. The flex is accentuated by the full center reverse so be aware of that.

Stability: For being full reverse it’s actually surprisingly stable to a point. I wouldn’t charge full speed into a rutted out mogul field of doom, but on a groomer while you do get some tip flap it never kills you if you keep your knees mildly bent. Even the occasional chopped out slush lump will get plowed down if you know what you’re doing.

Ollies: Here’s the crazy thing about this board if you’re lazy with your pop it’ll get you in the air, but if you actually know how to load it up and roll back engaging that flex point in the tip it will rebound more and really boost you. You can launch with this board once you figure out exactly how to engage it and nothing will hold you back.

Pop On Jumps: It’s center reverse so smaller features are going to naturally be better just because it won’t lock in as well on a landing. Yes it does pop well off the lip and you never have to worry about it but keep it to small and smedium features.

Butterability: This board is highly butterable obviously, it’s full center reverse. The tips are easy to press into and lock in but there’s still some spring to give you pop out of any butter variation you try. If you’re just learning to butter this is a great option as it will aid you with that Banana tech but still has pop where you need it and won’t be a floppy noodle.

Jibbing: This board locks into presses and holds them with such little effort you’ll be asking yourself am I even pressing? When you go sideways it does take a bit more effort as you’re fighting the natural upward bend of the camber profile but the flex helps it here so just come down a little harder on the feature.

Carving: You steer this completely underfoot. So be aware that ankle movements are really going to dictate how you transition from toe to heel. The edge to edge power is quick and nimble but not overly powerful. When you do rail a hard turn it locks in to a point but you can over power it so turn it down a notch or two before you slip out. Short tight quick carves or medium carves are going to be its strong suit.

Rider in Mind: Progressing beginner or low level intermediate that wants a playful deck with a little power.

Personal Thoughts: This really feels like the old Money when it was BTX. It has pop and it’s very skate like in its approach. It can kind of handle everything you throw at it to a point but isn’t overly mind blowing. It’s fun and forgiving where it needs to be and that’s just fine.

Comparable Boards: Rome Gang Plank, Arbor Westmark Rocker, Ride Agenda

Binding Recommendations: Bent Metal Joint, Rome Vice, Ride C-6