LongboardsUK

The Vanguard deck from Loaded is the shape that started it all. The Vanguard is a symmetrical shape and encourages a specific stance from riders which has an improved, balanced centre of gravity. This dramatically increases the rider's ability to weight the deck through turns for better control and energy generation. The side-cuts in the deck allow for decreased torsional stiffness between the feet to exploit the board's torsional energy to allow for greater nuances in the turning radius. What does this mean? This board is seriously lively for cornering and gives riders an engaged, exciting carving experience.

The Vanguard was designed and intended for speeds between 0 and 25 mph (0-40km/hr). You can take the board faster with skill and experience, but it is not intended for higher speeds due to its flex characteristics. The Vanguard is available in a variety of flexes. It is important riders choose the flex most appropriate for their weight range in order to properly harness the energy and 'bounce' of the deck.

Flex 1: 175-230+lbs / 80-105+kg 42"/107cm
Flex 2: 150-210+lbs / 68-95+kg 42"/107cm
Flex 3: 150-200+lbs / 68-90+kg 38"/98cm
Flex 4: 120-170+lbs / 55-77+kg 38"/98cm
Flex 5: 80-140+lbs / 35-65+kg 38"/98cm

Choosing a softer flex pattern will give you more control and tighter turns at slower speeds, however a softer board is more prone to lose stability at higher speeds. It's a trade-off worth considering when making your choice. If you plan on doing a lot of hard pounding tricks: 'shuvits', 'bonelesses', etc, a stiff flex will hold up better. Note: It is natural for the boards to break in and become slightly flexier over time.