30th Anniversary

30 Years of Exploring New Possibilities in Snowboarding

On September 10, 1995, when wooden cores were still common in snowboards, Yonex introduced the world’s first model built with a full carbon graphite structure. Drawing on carbon technology developed through badminton, tennis, and golf, we crafted a board that combined lightness with durability, and resilience with flexibility. This advancement gave riders new ways to express themselves both in the air and on the snow.

Over the past 30 years, we have continued to explore advanced materials and structures, evolving alongside the sport. Guided by curiosity and craftsmanship, Yonex remains dedicated to supporting riders as they discover new possibilities—experiences that go beyond imagination.

30th Anniversary Special Interview

30 Years of Riding Together with Yonex Innovation

Through ongoing innovation in materials and craftsmanship, Yonex has stood alongside riders as they explore new possibilities in snowboarding. In this special feature, four riders who have shared that journey look back on their experiences and talk about the future they are building—together with Yonex.

Team Yonex
30th Anniversary Special Movie

History and Technological Innovation
of Yonex Snowboards

1995

Entered the snowboard market with the brand "GATTA"

1998

Introduced "Aramid Honeycomb" technology for greater strength and reduced weight

2001

Developed the hollow "Carbon Box Tube" structure, balancing rebound and lightness

2003

Introduced cylindrical molded carbon graphite "Round Tube" for flexible riding

2004

Announced "Carbon Wall," a core structure made entirely of hollow carbon graphite

2005

Applied nanotechnology with "Carbon Nanofullerene"

2006

Created a 2350g lightweight board; Yonex-supported riders competed at the Torino Winter Games

2007

Ryo Aono became the first Japanese man to win a Snowboard World Cup overall title

2008

Ryo Aono earned silver at WINTER X GAMES—the first Japanese rider on the SuperPipe podium

2010

Adopted "X-Fullerene" in WALL, delivering one of the world's lightest boards at 2180g

2012

Developed "STOMP-TECH," designed to convert landing impact into power

2013

Introduced high-rebound "ULTIMATE CAMBER" and easy-riding "EASYRIDE CAMBER"

2014

Released flexible, durable "STOMP-TECH JIB" and "STOMP-TECH LITE" Riders including Ryo Aono and Ayumu Nedefuji represented Japan at the Sochi Winter Games

2015

Evolved into "STOMP-TECH 2.0," improving swing weight and control

2016

Debuted "CENTROID," delivering buoyancy and maneuverability in powder runs

2017

REGNA adopted a new lightweight core "CSMC," achieving 2090g—Yonex's lightest board at the time

2018

"STOMP-TECH 3.0" further reduced swing weight. Yuto Totsuka and Sena Tomita competed at PyeongChang, with Totsuka winning the men's halfpipe World Cup title

2019

Yuto Totsuka captured his second consecutive Snowboard World Cup men's halfpipe title

2020

To commemorate Yuto Totsuka's US OPEN halfpipe victory, launched the special model "REV YTS" worldwide

2021

REGNA with "CSMC Core" achieved an ultra-light 1990g board. Totsuka won both the World Championships and Winter X Games

2022

Introduced the lightweight "CRIC" structure for smoother maneuverability

2022

Yonex riders including Yuto Totsuka, Ruka Hirano, Sena Tomita, and Ruki Tomita competed at the Beijing Winter Games

2022

Sena Tomita won the first-ever bronze medal for Japan in women's halfpipe

2024

Aiki Kimura won the men's Big Air World Cup title

2025

REGNA was fully redesigned from material to engineering, achieving 1900g—our lightest board yet

2025

Ruka Hirano claimed his third consecutive men's halfpipe World Cup title

2025

Yuto Totsuka and Sena Tomita celebrated victories at the inaugural "The Snow League"

CARBON GRAPHITE TECHNOLOGY

“1 + 1 = Endless Possibilities”
The Future of Yonex Crafted from Carbon Graphite Technology and Craftsmanship

Carbon Graphite is a material that combines exceptional lightness, strength beyond metals, and powerful resilience. But for Yonex, its greatest value lies in design flexibility. By weaving carbon graphite into sheet form and layering it in different directions, we can bring out entirely new riding characteristics. Whether aligned straight or diagonally, each configuration changes flex and torsion in unique ways—opening up possibilities for athletes to experience performance in new dimensions.

At Yonex, each snowboard is crafted with precision. The angle and arrangement of every carbon graphite layer are carefully designed according to the model and section. During molding, we minimize the use of adhesives and instead rely on heat and pressure, achieving strong bonding while reducing weight.

This process led to our proprietary Carbon Cross Composite Molding, a breakthrough in carbon graphite snowboard development. Evolving further, we integrate nanoscience materials into the resin during molding to enhance bonding, increasing rigidity and resilience. This allows thinner carbon graphite layers, achieving even greater weight reduction while maintaining strength.

The result is a snowboard that combines lightness, strong rebound, and exceptional durability—qualities that have earned the trust of riders worldwide. Yet carbon graphite, for all its potential, is a delicate material. To bring out its best, advanced technology must be paired with precise management and craftsmanship at every stage. That is why Yonex follows the philosophy of prioritizing quality over cost, with skilled artisans conducting thorough manufacturing and quality control at our domestic facilities.

The fusion of cutting-edge technology and meticulous handcrafting reflects the spirit of Yonex craftsmanship. Drawing on over fifty years of carbon graphite expertise from badminton, tennis, and golf, we bring a depth of knowledge to snowboarding that continues to evolve through collaboration with professional riders.

From the beginning, we have valued direct feedback—organizing test-ride events and listening carefully to countless riders. By aligning each board’s character with their experiences and guided by our belief in delivering the best to the user, we continue to explore new ways to expand the riding experience. This partnership of innovation and passion is what drives Yonex toward the future of snowboarding.