Being one of the few true mountain villages in NSW it is surprising to see that for a long time Thredbo did not have a ‘Core’ snowboard shop. This all hanged in 2014 when Jindabyne local Matt Deck opened up Sentinal Board Store in the Thredbo Village Square. Matt is a true backcountry dog that loves getting out of the shop for a hike into new zones in the Australian Main Range. We managed to catch up with Matt just after he returned from Alaska after a month long camping expedition to hear about his shop.
Store Name: Sentinal Board Store
Location: Thredbo Village Square
Established: 2014
Store crew: Matt Deck, Micheal Foti
Facebook: Sentinal Board Store
Instagram: sentinalboards
Online Store: Under Construction - live soon
How would you describe your shop? What makes it unique? What do you think you’re best known for?
We are a small, core board store in Thredbo that has a massive emphasis on making your shopping experience different than the norm, whether it be a free beer or coffee when you are trying your gear on. Best known for honest product knowledge with no bias towards brands. If I don’t stock them this doesn’t mean I don’t recommend them. Sentinal is just a cool spot to hang out at and I’m always up for a chat.
Nice store layout, stocking plenty of local brandsWhat three things are you most proud of about your shop?
I only sell quality products that I believe in and know my products back to front. Friendly atmosphere and hang out. Try to support small brands that have a point of difference where ever I can.
What three things would you change if you could?
Shop size, shop location, there are a few brands in the shop that I really want but cant have just yet, this hurts a bit but that’s not to say I’m unhappy with my spread.
What are the standout events that you host or programs that you run for consumers?
I'm running a fundraiser through the shop this year that is in planning stages and will be out shortly I hope. Will involve a day in the backcountry, that’s all I will say
Where is the Australian snowboarding market at these days?
I think personally it’s in a transitional period. I'm noticing a shift towards the backcountry scene and I don’t know if that’s because I’m involved in the scene or not but I think the likes of Jeremy Jones have played a huge roll in that shift. This excites me a lot but it’s a double edged sword the moment backcountry becomes main stream it’s lost its touch
Are there any profound trends that you’re noticing right now in your region?
Bucket hats apparently.
Tell us about your team riders, who is riding for the shop and what have they been up to?
Richie Carrol has just started riding for me, I like everything Richie stands for in snowboarding and has a very unique style. He has been very busy last northern hemi winter in Japan and in the states with lots of time spent in the backcountry in japan. I like where he is heading!
Do you operate a private label brand?
No I don’t as of yet but there is one in the pipeline.
Closing thoughts?
Hope to see the customer base build over the years now that the brand base is growing, just hope internet shopping doesn’t nudge out the small businesses trying to make it work and give them that unique shopping experience. Shop local
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