The Pill Magazine interview

ETTORE BARABINO CEO / Shaper PLP

WHAT KIND OF SNOWBOARDERS IS YOUR BRAND INTENDED FOR?
Our tables have a superior quality compared to any other industrially made product, they are unique objects shaped by hand with an entirely “made in Italy” artisan process. Our boards are intended for an advanced, mature and nature-loving snowboarder looking for a high-quality board with an innovative design built with excellent materials.

THE ENTHUSIASTS OF FREERIDE & SPLIT ARE CONSTANTLY GROWING, HOW MUCH IN THE FUTURE WILL YOU INVEST IN THESE CATEGORIES?
Our motto is our brand “Peace Love & Powder” this is our daily bread and investing in these categories is everything for us. We recently supported and took part in the only splitboard project in Australia, and we participate annually in the Split Day Valle d’Aosta, and in the Sestriere area, we intend to expand.

WHAT PERCENTAGE IS YOUR COLLECTION DIVIDED AMONG. SPLIT, FREERIDE, ALL MOUNTAIN, PARK & JIBBING?
Our catalog offers three longboards, three shortboards, three all mountain and two splitboards. We have chosen to evolve freeride boards into a product closer to freestyle to satisfy even the most demanding riders.

CAN SNOWBOARDING BE SUSTAINABLE, WHAT DO YOU REALLY DO AND DO YOU HAVE FUTURE PLANS ABOUT THIS?
We were invited by the Turin Polytechnic to participate in a course on sustainable snowboarding, the project will be: creative workshop ‘the snowboard of the future’ as part of the cognitive ergonomics course for the design of prof. Eleonora Buiatti Polytechnic of Turin. 300 students will be in charge of developing and proposing new ideas on the topics: shape, innovative materials, sustainability, and recycling of materials. the course will start in December 2022 we are very motivated and honored to be part of this new project!

WHAT TECHNOLOGY ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
We have always believed in the use of classic materials. We always look for a functional shape arriving at an aesthetic and innovative design, which for us is the true synonym of research and technology. The latest creation is our Raven’s tail, with a modular tail inspired by the aerodynamic shape of the crow, with great flexibility and adaptability to any terrain.

WHAT WILL BE THE FUTURE DIRECTION OF SNOWBOARDING IN GENERAL?
At this rate we will develop harder insoles like ceramic to glide on the sand! haha… joking aside, as we said we are looking for new materials that can have less impact on the environment and on a consumerist sport like this.

WHAT ABOUT TECHNOLOGY AND SHAPE?
We are planning two new shapes for next season. We are in contact with the best surfing shaper in Italy to develop a new concept together. U will see

DO YOU SEE A FUTURE IN RAPID ATTACK? WHO IS IT INTENDED FOR? WHAT YOU DO OR WILL DO ABOUT IT.
In freeride, I must admit that I find myself very comfortable with the quick attachment, but talking to various professionals, they don’t find it so performing.

WHICH CLAIM BELONG TO YOU?
We look to the future inspired by the past!

HOW DO YOU SELECT YOUR ATHLETE FOR YOUR TEAM OR AN AMBASSADOR? THE ATHLETE WHO BEST REPRESENTS YOU.?
In the last 3 years, before developing this new collection, I have collaborated with various professionals, especially Luca Fiorini. Although he comes from Freestyle he is a great lover of powder. We have united two worlds that didn’t speak to each other by proposing new ideas and eliminating snowboard barriers and preconceptions. “long boards or short boards?” This will be his first official season in PLP, but we’re very motivated and happy, and we’re sure we’re going in the same direction.

ARE THERE INFLUENCERS IN THE WORLD OF SNOWBOARDING? DO YOU COLLABORATE WITH ANY OF THEM?
No, the only people who influence the world of snowboarding for me are real athletes!

HOW IMPORTANT ARE PHYSICAL STORES TO YOU AND HOW IMPORTANT ARE E-COMMERCE?
The future is now e-commerce and we have chosen that path, we realize that the human contact that can be found in stores is very important, but now the communication distance between social networks and videos and minimal, we find instead important events with board tests and enthusiasts’ meetings.

ADO YOU HAVE ANY PLANS FOR YOUNG SNOWBOARDERS?
Not at the moment, but we are developing boards to bring them closer to freeride.