EBI LYT is packed with head's innovative technology. Lightweight and wide, yet with sharp edging, it is easy to handle and stable, and will support your riding in your own style. This time, we asked three members of KIZAMU TEAM - Kenji Fujimoto, Kyohei Dogan, and Tetsuhiro Kawano - about the "true value of EBI LYT" and "the style that will be pioneered with this board" from their own perspectives.
The encounter between KIZAMU TEAM and EBI LYT
Q1: What was your impression when you first got your hands on the "EBI LYT"? What prompted you to start riding the EBI LYT? What made you decide to do so?
藤 本: The moment I saw the shape, I was impressed by the width of the nose and tail, which was exactly what I was looking for. When I actually rode it, that ideal was clearly reflected in the way it glided, and I was impressed again by the feeling, which exceeded my expectations. Both the look and the ride were exactly what I was looking for.
Hall wish:The first thing that caught my eye was the graphics and the overall atmosphere - it was very stylish and I thought it was cool at first glance. I thought it might be a little heavy because it's a wide board, but the moment I picked it up I was surprised at how light it was. I was convinced that the fact that it's wide, doesn't drag easily and is lightweight would be a great asset for my riding style.
Kawano:The first thing that caught my eye was the unique shape and sophisticated design. It was a cool look that no one else had. And above all, the waist width is a solid 27.2cm. Even though I wear 28cm boots, I have peace of mind knowing that I won't have to worry about drag no matter how far I push my board forward, which was the deciding factor in choosing EBI.
Q2: What position do you think the EBI LYT has in the Head lineup?
藤 本:This model is positioned as the top grade in the HEAD lineup and offers excellent riding performance!
Hall wish:Its all-around performance makes it an attractive choice for all-mountain skiers. It can be called the flagship of the HEAD line.
Kawano:It's very stable and doesn't flutter much even when you're riding at high speeds. It's an all-mountain board that gives you great peace of mind and lets you enjoy high speeds.
Q3: After actually skating, what did you find attractive about EBI LYT?
藤 本: Powder, carving, jumping, and all other situations, it has a sense of stability, but also controllability that does not slow down the movement. It is an excellent product that can handle all-round and leaves plenty of room for you to express your own style.
Hall wish: In addition to the dragless performance that only a wide board can offer, it is also lighter than you would imagine from its appearance. Turn switching is smooth and the reaction while carving is quick. I realized that it is a board with the ideal balance of being light, highly maneuverable, and "wide enough to handle."
Kawano: The biggest attraction is that there is no drag worry. And in addition to the outstanding stability when you go fast, it has the propulsion to float up and move forward steadily even in powder. The strength of EBI is that you can enjoy it in any condition without losing tempo.
Q4: How is the EBI LYT different from other boards you’ve used in the past?
Fujimoto:I used to ride Powerhouse, but EBI is easier to handle with its lightness and moderate flex in addition to the grip power due to its thickness. It's easier to express my own style.
Hall wish:It's lighter than the Powerhouse, and its wide design allows you to carve well even on loose runs. The swallow tail makes it great for powder. You can enjoy it in any situation, so it expands the variety of ways to ride! It's a board you'll want to ride all the time.
Kawano:Compared to the boards of the same length I used before, the effective edge is shorter and the nose is lighter, so it is very easy to control. The waist width is wide, so there is a good grip and you can carve firmly.
Q5: What do you think of the graphics and appearance? Please tell us if there are any points you like about the game.
藤 本: The playful graphics, like random stickers, are a perfect hit. The design makes you think "This is it!" at first glance, and just having it makes you excited. With snowboarding, not only is the ride quality important, but the motivation of the look is also very important. This board satisfies both of those requirements.
Hall wish: The entire graphic is very stylish with a sophisticated design, as if you were wearing a jacket. It has an impact even when viewed from a distance, and it stands out while riding, so when I look at my board while carving, I feel like "that's cool!"
Kawano: The design is solid from the tip to the tail and edge, and it looks picturesque from any angle. Moreover, it has a unique character that makes it instantly recognizable as an EBI, making it the perfect board for those who want a unique style.
Q6: How did you skate at EBI LYT this season? Please tell us how it went with your own skating.
藤 本:This season, I've been playing on the entire slopes with the EBI, from park riding to powder and carving. It's responsive and it's just fun to move the board. It responds immediately to what you want to do, so it makes you want to try aggressive riding.
Hall wish: This season I mainly used it for carving and playing on the terrain. The edges have good grip when you step on it, and it gives you a sense of security that it is well supported even when you lean over. Moreover, there is no drag stress, so you can stand the board up as much as you want. This has increased the freedom of riding all at once.
Kawano:I used it mainly for aggressive skating with speed, but the EBI is light, so it's easy to make the movements you want. Even when I want to attack firmly, it's easy to handle and doesn't waver, so it has expanded the range of my skating. It's a board that really fits my style.
Q7: What new discoveries or realizations have you made by using EBI LYT?
藤 本:It responds to movements that I hadn't even thought about with previous boards, so I discovered new ways to have fun. It was amazing how it followed every movement, whether in powder or jumps. It felt like the entire slope was turning into a playground.
Hall wish:Until now, I had a preconceived notion that wide boards were heavy and difficult to handle, but riding the EBI completely changed that image. It's very light and easy to use, and it's a board that makes the most of the benefits of being wide. I was surprised by how sharp it was despite its thickness.
Kawano:I was impressed by how quick I could be with a wide board. Moreover, the edge doesn't get caught suddenly and there is less worry about edging, so I can ride aggressively with confidence. This sense of security has led to an evolution in my riding.
Q8: What was the most inspiring thing about riding the EBI LYT as a team?
藤 本:Even though we were all using the same board, each of us had our own way of riding. That's why each other's riding was so fresh and inspired me to try new things. It made me feel like, "I'm going to be more myself." The presence of friends is a big factor.
Hall wish:By having EBI as our "common base," the differences and ingenuity in our skating became more apparent, and we discovered a lot about each other. There were parts that made me want to imitate him, and naturally our repertoire expanded.
Kawano"How did you skate in this scene?" or "That was a great way to use it." We had a lot of fun talking about that. Because we use the same boards, we were able to talk about the deeper aspects of skating, and it helped me to deepen my own understanding.
Q9: If you were to describe the best thing about EBI LYT to fellow riders in one sentence, what would it be?
Fujimoto → Kawano "When in doubt, choose this! It's an all-rounder that can be enjoyed anywhere and goes with any style."
From Dogan to Fujimoto "The EBI is a board that makes you want to skate naturally. I feel like the board really brings out Fujimoto's unique style."
Kawano → To Dogan "Dougan's skiing and EBI are a perfect match! It was especially satisfying to watch the way he chose his lines, the depth of his turns, and the sense of unity with the board!"
Q10: Who would you recommend EBI LYT to?
藤 本I would wholeheartedly recommend this board to anyone who wants to ride more freely. It's a board that you can enjoy in any condition and with your own senses.
Hall wish:The EBI is perfect for people who want to make great turns, play with the terrain, and are greedy for everything (laughs).
Kawano:Especially for those who are searching for a style and haven't yet found their own style. EBI naturally brings out the best in each person.
Q11: Finally, please give us a message for future riders who will be riding EBILYT!
Fujimoto:For people like me who want to show their style through carving, I highly recommend EBI! Let's enjoy skiing together as EBI riders!
Hall wish:This highly versatile board can flexibly adapt to any terrain and weather. It will make snowboarding more fun on any day! Join us and expand your range of snowboarding as an EBI rider!
Kawano:You can ride at high speed without worrying about drag, and draw the line you want. EBI will be your reliable partner in any condition!
It's most fun to skate in your own style.
The EBI LYT was a board that gave riders the freedom to ride. The three members of the KIZAMU TEAM all agreed that "riding this board is just so much fun!" These words have a more "real" persuasive power than the specs. Whether you want to find your own style or just want to play more freely, why not try unleashing your true self with the EBI LYT this winter?