Doctor Snowboard
Women in the Industry: Liza Brooks
The women in the industry series was created to show girls that whatever their career goals, they can incorporate their passion for snowboarding into an awesome job. Whether you’re a writer, an athlete, or a total science geek, there’s something out there for you. So, we were stoked when we came across Liza’s blog, Doctor Snowboard. We thought she was a great inspiration to women and girls interested in working in the snowboard industry. Not only is she pioneering the technical study of snowboarding, with an Engineering Doctorate in advanced snowboard design, but she’s also the Technical Director of True Snowboards, the UK’s biggest snowboard company. Want to hear more? Here’s her interview:
How did you get into engineering snowboards?
I am dyslexic and when it came to doing my major project for my degree at Military Uni, I didn’t want to do something on tanks or planes so pitched the snowboard idea and got sponsored by K2 snowboards to complete a research project on the Recon Riser.
Were you an engineer first, or a snowboarder?
An engineer – didn’t start snowboarding till I was at university. I was a kitesurfer in a previous life, but had a car accident when I was 18 so couldn’t fly the big kites anymore due to spinal damage.
What is it like being a woman in such a technical position and a male dominated field - do the boys take you seriously?
I have only ever met opposition once in engineering for being a woman – that guy said I’d never make it to uni! He has now had to eat his words. Most people think its awesome what I am doing, and I have just got a job working for the Engineering Technology Board as a motivational lecturer to schools and colleges.
If you get a crazy idea for snowboard construction, do you get to just make it and test it out? Or are they like… uh… no.
As technical director I can do whatever I want. I have to make smaller samples for testing, as I perform the analysis under laboratory conditions and snow is ever changing. We are looking at some really exciting materials for the near future.
Your blog shows you cutting up snowboards with a chainsaw. Do you have all kinds of awesome testing methods, or just the chainsaw?
The chainsaw, sadly, was just for a photo shoot for Snowboard UK. The snowboard was actually cut using a diamond tipped band saw! I have various custom built rigs for testing snowboards in the lab at my uni, it’s all very high tech. :-p
What do you think of reverse camber from an engineering perspective? Just a trend, or is there something valid there?
It’s not something I have looked into in any depth. I would love to see a peer reviewed paper on the science of reverse camber just to get a bit more of an insight. I do see how for powder reverse camber might be beneficial, but on the packed piste 5mm or so of camber in either direction is not going to make a difference as the snowboard will be flat against the surface of the snow. I don’t know of any snowboard that you can’t overcome the camber on with just one finger. My hypothesis is based on the internal structure of the snowboard being of greater importance to the feel of the snowboard than a camber, but as of yet I have not had chance to prove this for peer review.
Any other interesting trends you see coming up? Like, um, clear plastic snowboards?
Clear plastic…like the Makralon snowboard? I think that’s an interesting idea but I know that the material is not suitable for riding on ice, as it states on the site if I remember correctly. This could be a problem for a lot of snowboarders. Finding a material to replace the base and edges is where I see the future of snowboards. A maintenance free unbreakable base and edge, I believe is achievable. But all credit to the guys, I think the clear board looks sick.
Do you mostly ride the UK dryslopes?
I have ridden dryslopes, although I refuse to ride Dendex again after bending my wrist the wrong way in a quarterpipe fall. I also ride the snowdomes; they are good fun on park nights as you get so many hits in a run. I’m not as good on dryslope as I am on snow.
We’ve heard a lot of discussion on the need for women’s specific models. Do you think it’s just a marketing ploy, or do women actually have different needs in a snowboard?
The most important thing to remember is as a rule women will not be as strong as men. So they need a softer flex pattern. We make unisex snowboards where the smaller sizes are tuned for smaller riders, and therefore women can use them with ease. Our Deviant 149 is ridden by Samantha Rogers and Cody Hierons. They both find the snowboard ideal for their needs, and Cody sometimes opts for a 154 for Boardercross events. So yes women can benefit from women specific snowboards but no more than they can from a board tuned for smaller people. Its important to make sure your smaller size graphics appeal to both sexes in unisex models which is why the shocking pink is on the Deviant 149.
Dream shred destination?
Well my favourite resort is Morzine in France, but I would love to go to NZ. I was supposed to be there this season but had a nice chap drive his large van into my car at pace and left me partially paralysed in one leg so I couldn’t go (has since recovered fortunately).
Pirates or Ninjas?
Ohh Arrrr Pirates!
Final thoughts?
Please check out our website http://www.truesnowboards.com. We’ve just launched in North America so keep an eye out for us on a slope near you.
Posted by Kelly Vance on 11/11
