I'm curious what this secret actually is, it's in the Kona as well:

DONEK.COM "https://www.donek.com/product/kona/"

Kona Custom Snowboard | Donek.com Custom Snowboards

"This model comes stock with the Secret Construction core for those who want the maximum benefits for deep and steep carving but can also be ordered with standard core construction and a rubber dampening layer for a more forgiving freeride experience."

The Kona was developed by Jordan Michon and Mellen Jay.  While on the lift I've seen Mellen riding it and she did stand out, enough that I did some internet sleuthing to figure out what it was. 

It is a custom board, but in one of Jordan's facebook posts I asked for his specs and he replied (11.5 boot):

Yeah, I had a secret construction Sabre SRT circa 2015.  Donek has been making the secret boards for 15 years or more; it's not new, it's only new for the Knapton Twin.  In my opinion, it's nothing special and nothing that the other low end custom board builders aren't doing.  Calling it a secret is just marketing strategy, because if they told you what it was you would not be impressed (or willing to pay the extra $350).

Posted by: @emilecantin

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I'd be very curious to hear how it compares to the JJA C4

It doesn't compare.  I sold that Sabre SRT immediately after riding my first JJA metal board for one day, and the C4 is a huge step up from that first JJA.

The best description I've found is for their "Secret" board (

titanal construction metal boards are more prone to delamination or bending than traditional construction. Titanal has also become harder and harder to obtain in grades that can be used in snowboards. We decided to find another solution to the problem and build a whole new class of race boards. We introduced a top secret construction demo fleet at the 2017 USASA Nationals to see what people thought of this new approach.

The Secret’s metallic construction is damper than a titanal construction race board, yet as durable as traditional constructions

Sounds like they couldn't make it work with titanal, and turned to a different metal alloy. Honestly, I'm not sure what exactly is so special about titanal specifically, and I'm inclined to think that other aluminium alloys could probably have the same desireable properties.

What's especially interesting is that it seems like it might be cheaper (the option is "only" $350), and knowing Donek, they might get it in wider rolls than titanal so the shovel width limitation might not apply (but that part is just me speculating).

The Kona really looks like an interesting board; Mike Fawcett also rides one:

@emilecantin I'm quite certain this is bogus marketing propaganda.  I have it on good authority that the "secret" is not any kind of metal.  It's a common material that's found in many higher end snowboards.  I can't say more, sorry.

Come to the Montucky Clear Cut and test out a secret construction demo board for yourself!  You'll see that is does increase the dampening somewhat but it doesn't grip like metal.  Plus, you'll have an incredible experience, meet lots of other carvers, and learn through as many of the free clinics as you like (my clinic included).

All the World Cup racers are riding metal boards, none are riding "secret" construction.  The marketing blurb refers to a "new class" of race board, but it's not a "podium class" race board, at least not at the World Cup level. 

Don't be distracted by new shiny things @emilecantin, your C4 is the best wide soft boot freecarving board on the planet right now.  The reviews confirm this, lots of guys are coming to the C4 off Donek boards, some with the secret construction and they have been blown away with the C4's grip and dampening.  I think @rocketman69 has a Donek Flux with secret construction, let's ask him.  

Comments @rocketman69?

@wild-cherry Oh yeah, I'm very happy with my C4, and in fact my Donek is currently up for sale.

I'm just interested in the way the industry is moving: Most snowboard Youtubers are talking about carving now, a lot of boards now have "wide" options, and last Friday night at the hill I wasn't the only one digging trenches anymore. Looks like Donek knows their days of dominating the wide snowboard market are numbered, and are (finally!) improving their technology.

It's as you said in your rant last year; I know I'm going to be asked about my C4 (and in fact I was asked several times already), and some people are going to want to buy carving boards: Where do they get one? Doneks have the advantage of being available for purchase right now, and if their "secret" construction is 80% as good as what's in the C4, it'd be a good option for a lot of people.

They do say it's metal, though. I agree there's a lot of marketing BS, but they look like they want to keep their cards close to their chest on this so they probably can't say much more without much bigger companies copying their specs. Even Jasey-Jay didn't tell us exactly what's in the C4, so they're not alone in this.

@emilecantin Yeah, it's a very secretive industry.  To me it's a matter of integrity to protect the secrets that have been shared with me. 

Jasey gives me enough information so that I can put people on the right boards and understand the different options available for construction and materials, but not enough that I could replicate his boards or spill his secrets accidentally.  So I ride different models, we discuss the ride characteristics and give each a name, but sometimes I don't know what he's really changed under the topsheet and I don't need to.  I just to know what to call it, how it rides, and understand who would want what to suit their style, carving level, terrain and snow conditions.

I'm putting up a few boards for sale today or tomorrow and there are two Exegi DoubleWides remaining in the store.  I'll also be testing boards for some other Canadian companies this season like Kindred and Vaughn, and one new American carving board builder, Trench Snowboards.  I'll report back on YouTube with my test results as they become available and ride them back to back with some Doneks and Exegis too and hopefully involve some other board qualified testers like @board-doctor so we can reach a consensus and offer honest opinions.  If things work out we'll be offering at least some of these brands in the store soon, as well as the next batch of C4s (and maybe some of the new C5s were working on, and maybe even some of the Asym boards from JJA...).

So direct people here please.  And let them know they can email me at [email protected] for recommendations and custom boards.

If you want a damp, quiet and forgiving custom Donek, Secret Construction is the way to go.  The Secret Construction works pretty darn good.  It is not quite up to the standards of a couple of the super exclusive board builders,  but I would say at least 3/4 of the way there and available in a fairly short time period for a fully custom board.  

From what I understand the Secret core is entirely different from their standard cores. James is correct, there is no titanal in the Secret Construction.

I have gotten to ride several variation of Donek Construction and each one of them fills a space in how you want your board to ride. So when you are talking to any board builder be sure to talk about just how you want your board to feel, how much energy you want returned to you in a turn and how much you want to feel the bumps.

Yes it is marketing, but the secret construction does work well.  Every manufacturer/builder has their thing.  Everyone is trying to keep the customer buying, the business doors open and their employees paid.  

YES make plans to attend the Montucky Clear CUT to demo lots of boards from lots of custom builders and decide yourself.  Daily clinics for both HB and SB carving.  Info at www.montuckyclearcut.com

@wild-cherry my 3 custom Donek Flux boards don’t have the secret construction  - and they are awesome carving tools of joy!!

Here is a link of me riding last Jan 9th on my original Flux Silver Surfer with my hardboot set up - low angle fast fun 🤩

@wild-cherry my 3 custom Donek Flux boards don’t have the secret construction  - and they are awesome carving tools of joy!!

Here is a link of me riding last Jan 9th on my original Flux Silver Surfer with my hardboot set up - low angle fast fun 🤩

GJK Firebowl/TurtleCreek early season 1/9/24

Jan 9, 2024

@wild-cherry link to Donek Custom Flux Silver Surfer - no Secret Construction

Last day of 23/24 season at Loveland Basin - May 11, 2024

My friend Eirik and I last season at Red Lodge MT.  I was on a Donek Turner Secret 185 14m SCR.  

@wild-cherry you have had Coilers with both T3 and T4 titanal I think?  How did they differ?

@dredman your riding is beautiful - love seeing two experts riding in great sync and style 😎