Bamboozled
David A. Dodson

Back when Loaded Carving Systems first put out the Loaded Fish, they knew that they had a winner on their hands. Its unique shape allowed for plenty of lean while making sure that the wheels had lots of clearance for tighter, more stable angles. It was an instant hit with skaters at all levels and remains a popular board today. So why tamper with perfection? Because sometimes even perfection can be improved upon. At least that's the philosophy behind the Bamboo Fish, the latest addition to the Loaded family. Like its older brother, the Bamboo Fish has the same wheel-bite resistant deck shape; only the oak core has been replaced with bamboo.

The switch to bamboo is an extension of Loaded's earth-friendly attitude. Because it's a grass, bamboo grows infinitely faster than oak, thus making it a much more readily replenishable resource. Even though it is better for the environment, the change to panda-bait isn't the result of some pot-head hippie sensibility, bamboo also happens to make a darn exceptionable deck. Bamboo has a long history of being the building material of choice when strength and flexibility are needed, and when combined with modern polymers and board making techniques, you'd be hard pressed to find a lighter, more resilient deck.

Slick Graphix

Yeah, yeah… it's great for the whales and the spotted owls, but can it skate? We tested a Bamboo Fish with a stiff flex deck, Tracker RTS 139s with Randal bushings, Max abec 5s, and 65mm centerset 78a Loaded Wheels and were simply blown away. The Bamboo Fish was smooth and ultra responsive on the sidewalk, taking turns and curbs with little to no energy loss. It also gets top grades in grades; the Tracker trucks and bite-free design of the deck mean that the Bamboo Fish is a top-notch hill carver. The foam kicktail makes for superb control and comfortable pumping. You simply have to try it to understand the sheer speed and agility of this board.

Bottom line is if you are looking for the perfect board for commuting and carving while appealing to your sense of eco-responsibility, then the Loaded Carving Systems' Bamboo Fish is definitely the way to go. It also makes the perfect gift for that special skater in your life. Available in three colors (Aqua, red or Orange), for about two hundred fifty bucks you can get one fully loaded (stiff or medium flex deck) and ready to ride. You can pick one up at a dealer near you or order the Bamboo Fish online from one of the retailers listed at www.LoadedBoards.com. Grab one and get back on the grass.