Early season shredding is always risky for snowboards.  The overwhelming desire to ride untracked preseason powder will sometimes lead you into a gnarly rock field with only a light dusting of snow.  This mistake will sometimes result in minor scratches that just need a good base grind or a little p-tex work to repair.  If you’re not as lucky, you’ll gouge the base to the core and that’s when you’ll need a base weld.

Liam Gallagher recently interviewed Tech Tuning pro Ty McRae from Milosport to get some tips on how to repair core shots.  Here is a summary on the best way to fix your base::

• Cleaning out and preparing the base is one of the most important tasks.  Remove all the debris and loose material from the damaged area, and then use a razor blade to trim slightly into the non-damaged area to insure a solid bond when repairing.

• P-Tex can be used if the core isn’t exposed.  If the core is exposed, you risk ruining your board, so it’s best to get it base welded to insure a tight seal so water can’t leak in and break down the core.

• P-Tex is a soft and porous material that absorbs wax well.  While baseweld is a harder, durable plasic that has watertight sealing capabilities.

• P-Tex is applied with either a p-tex gun or a flame source and baseweld is applied through an extruding process that uses hot air to apply it.

• The most common mistake when tryin to repair a core shot is insufficient preparation.  Make sure you cut out all the damaged material before applying the baseweld.

Happy tuning!  Don’t forget to pick up a Dakine Super Tune Kit which includes just about everything you need to keep your board running in tip top condition.

Ladies, grab your gear, head to the hills and dial those moves you want to show off this coming season. Nikita is bringing the Chickita to the USA and Europe once more and we’re ready for a good show.

Dates have already been confirmed so there’s no excuse to miss out:

Nikita Chickita USA 21^st February 2009, Mammoth Mountain

Nikita Chickita EUROPE 18^th April 2009, Serfaus, Austria

Nikita Chickita is an open-invite slopestyle contest, notorious for the relaxed and fun atmosphere. Up for grabs will be cash and prizes galore for both the top Pro and Am riders. As in previous years the top Am rider will receive a one-year sponsorship with Nikita. Ana Rumiha and Alice Gong, European and USA winners respectively from 2008, have had great times being a part of the Nikita family!

Nikita is stoked to let you know that Lomography is on board to sponsor both the USA and European Nikita Chickita contests with their awesome cameras. We’re already jealous of the lucky winners!! Osiris and DaKine will also be flowing sweet product to all the ladies at the USA event.

Cooler and Onboard are part of the action as media partners for Europe. Transworld Snowboarding and Venus Zine will be reporting from the USA.

To sign up for the USA event go to: http://signmeup.com/site/reg/register.aspx?fid=FQ2V8K7