21 years and still flexing!
We are super stoked at Vandem to have qualified to sell the limited edition 21st Anniversary Loaded Vanguards. There have only been 250 produced and we don't know how many we'll be able to get hold of - if you're tempted, act fast!
If you're browsing this page there's a good chance you know what there is to know about the Vanguard, but just in case, here's a rundown:
The construction is lightweight, inspired by snowboard construction over the years. And if you've ever ridden a Vanguard - or seen an original Loaded video - you know how good that feels! It's super bouncy and springy and that flex should last for years thanks to the fibreglass and epoxy layup.
The construction works together with the big camber and sidecuts to really make this thing flex. The energy return is amazing, and if you're into responsive carving, pumping around and generally having fun in full flow then this board is a great shout.
As relevant today as it was 21 years ago, this version comes with original artwork by Travis Parr with a percentage of proceeds being donated to the Centre for Humane Technology.
No options for flex here - this is one length, one flex, equivalent to a standard Vanguard flex 3 for riders roughly 64-90kg. That's not a fixed limit but if you weigh twice that, don't jump down too many stairs!
Loaded have also taken this anniversary as an opportunity to take a deep dive into their history. A must for any Loaded fans out there - check out the first podcast on their YouTube channel.
Per Loaded, this is right for you if:
- You're a snowboarder and want to take the powder turns to the streets
- You want a roomy, comfortable platform with high-energy flex
- You want to ride (or showcase) a piece of history—it's the original Loaded carving system!
From Loaded themselves:
Functional Design; Tapered tips and pronounced cutouts maximize wheel clearance for deep carves and tight turns. Sidecuts reduce torsional stiffness between the feet for greater nuances in the turning radius. Mild concave provides edge-to-edge control, while the topmount and cambered platform provides energetic carving performance.
Curvaceous Confidence; Lightweight, snowboard-inspired bamboo and fiberglass construction pair with a cambered profile for a lively and engaging ride.
Super SAP; Bio-based epoxy by Entropy Resins. Uses bio-based materials from industrial waste streams such as tree sap to replace petroleum content and reduce the carbon footprint of the epoxy from manufacturing. We've worked closely with Entropy to enhance every major performance characteristic of the resin. Better for the planet, even more fun.
History & Graphic; The initial Vanguard was launched in June of 2002 using snowboard technology with a vertically laminated oak deck and a triaxial fiberglass/epoxy composite construction. Bringing snowboarding to the pavement. We pioneered bamboo composites with the Vanguard in 2006 and transitioned the rest of our lineup to bamboo in 2007. When we launched we originally didn't have much of a graphic because it was technology driven (and also because we didn't have the resources to do art well at that point). In 2004 we launched a graphic version of the board designed by our longtime friend Travis Parr (Travis is a ripping skater, snowboarder and an amazing artist. He's designed a bunch of boards for Victoria Skimboards and is the co-founder and art director for Icelantic Skis). However, the graphics on these boards were very limited by the technology at the time. We're now celebrating our 21-year anniversary with this hand-numbered, limited-edition Vanguard using cutting-edge direct printing technology on bamboo veneers with artwork created from Travis’ original painting.
