With the launch of Arbor’s 2009 collection, the company will mark eight-years of using bamboo as a structural and aesthetic material in the construction of its snowboards. Arbor’s use of bamboo started back in 2001 with the introduction of its Mystic Series. Back then, the decision was made to add bamboo to Arbor’s list of environmentally friendly, natural construction material for several important reasons:
1. Bamboo is the most renewable, sustainably grown material known to man. Bamboo is a self-propagating grass that grows incredibly fast - rapidly, continuously, and safely delivering more raw material per acre than any other natural fiber. This makes it the most renewable construction material available today. Bamboo production is also remarkably sustainable as bamboo is inherently organic. No pesticides, chemical fertilizers, irrigation, or detrimental cultivation practices are required for bamboo to achieve its amazing renewability.
2. Bamboo works as a structural component improving performance, while allowing Arbor to reduce weight. By adding bamboo components into a wood core, Arbor is able to radically increase board power and durability. Bamboo is one of the strongest materials on the planet. It has 40 times the effective life of carbon fiber and provides 60% more return than traditional core materials. Bamboo also has a tensile strength and weight-tostrength ratio superior to steel; yet it is light, flexible, and resistant to compression.
3. Bamboo’s structural properties allowed Arbor to reduce its use of petroleum-based resin and chemically treated fiberglass.
Arbor’s bamboo core technology has evolved into two separate designs that are now referred to as the Mystic 1 Core - used in the Arbor Westmark, and the Mystic 2 Core - used in the Arbor Coda. Each is designed to deliver riding style specific performance. Both Mystic Cores blend bamboo with sustainably sourced poplar, creating two of the most technically advanced, responsibly produced cores on the market.
In 2005 - Arbor followed up its pioneering use of bamboo with the introduction of its structural bamboo veneer topsheet technology. The decision to expand Arbor’s use of bamboo was made to both further reduce its reliance on harmful man made materials and add an additional level of performance to certain designs. At the same time, Arbor wanted to add the visual look and feel of bamboo to its line up.
Bamboo veneer not only creates a clean, Zen flavor - it also works like a 3rd layer of fiberglass. During construction resin locks the dense natural fibers in place, creating a composite layer that structurally enhances a board, providing added return and durability, while allowing for important weight reduction. Today, Arbor’s structural bamboo topsheets are available on the Coda, Roundhouse, and the women specific Push.
"Over the years, we have had great success using bamboo to improve the performance and durability of our boards. Bamboo has allowed us to offer a unique level of style and create an uncompromising environmental alternative. We are stoked to see other companies exploring bamboo as a construction material. It’s good for the planet and its good for snowboarding. In the end, we’re honored to have our efforts further legitimized by the competition’s use of a material that we worked hard to develop and introduce. Today we also use bamboo to improve our apparel and skateboards. We believe bamboo to be an amazing material that holds a ton of promise for the planet" said Bob Carlson, Arbor’s President and founder.
1. Bamboo is the most renewable, sustainably grown material known to man. Bamboo is a self-propagating grass that grows incredibly fast - rapidly, continuously, and safely delivering more raw material per acre than any other natural fiber. This makes it the most renewable construction material available today. Bamboo production is also remarkably sustainable as bamboo is inherently organic. No pesticides, chemical fertilizers, irrigation, or detrimental cultivation practices are required for bamboo to achieve its amazing renewability.
2. Bamboo works as a structural component improving performance, while allowing Arbor to reduce weight. By adding bamboo components into a wood core, Arbor is able to radically increase board power and durability. Bamboo is one of the strongest materials on the planet. It has 40 times the effective life of carbon fiber and provides 60% more return than traditional core materials. Bamboo also has a tensile strength and weight-tostrength ratio superior to steel; yet it is light, flexible, and resistant to compression.
3. Bamboo’s structural properties allowed Arbor to reduce its use of petroleum-based resin and chemically treated fiberglass.
Arbor’s bamboo core technology has evolved into two separate designs that are now referred to as the Mystic 1 Core - used in the Arbor Westmark, and the Mystic 2 Core - used in the Arbor Coda. Each is designed to deliver riding style specific performance. Both Mystic Cores blend bamboo with sustainably sourced poplar, creating two of the most technically advanced, responsibly produced cores on the market.
In 2005 - Arbor followed up its pioneering use of bamboo with the introduction of its structural bamboo veneer topsheet technology. The decision to expand Arbor’s use of bamboo was made to both further reduce its reliance on harmful man made materials and add an additional level of performance to certain designs. At the same time, Arbor wanted to add the visual look and feel of bamboo to its line up.
Bamboo veneer not only creates a clean, Zen flavor - it also works like a 3rd layer of fiberglass. During construction resin locks the dense natural fibers in place, creating a composite layer that structurally enhances a board, providing added return and durability, while allowing for important weight reduction. Today, Arbor’s structural bamboo topsheets are available on the Coda, Roundhouse, and the women specific Push.
"Over the years, we have had great success using bamboo to improve the performance and durability of our boards. Bamboo has allowed us to offer a unique level of style and create an uncompromising environmental alternative. We are stoked to see other companies exploring bamboo as a construction material. It’s good for the planet and its good for snowboarding. In the end, we’re honored to have our efforts further legitimized by the competition’s use of a material that we worked hard to develop and introduce. Today we also use bamboo to improve our apparel and skateboards. We believe bamboo to be an amazing material that holds a ton of promise for the planet" said Bob Carlson, Arbor’s President and founder.
