I didn't ride until 95? or so. Not old school at all really. just old. I learned to ride on a friends old board (black with blue neon, square back, pointy front, much like the board picture posted by Mark). I used another friends old bindings, that were too big(no ratchets either), and some cheap red suede felt boots (I kid you not). Needless to say, the first few times were quite interesting. But I still got hooked! Eventually I bought a SIMS all- mountain, and some cheap (no ratchets again) sims bindings. I stuck with the red boots for a few years though. I've worked my way though 2 morrow escapes(destroyed), a burton supermodel(still rideable), a salomon 500 pro(destroyed-literaly had a stick wedged between the edge and the top sheet), a salomon 550 pro(died quite prematurely due to a slice through the bottom, up through the top sheet-about 6" long), and now ride another (thanks to ebay) used 550, also have a fastback and a heelside core. I did the step-in thing for awhile too, but now am back to conventional bindings( a couple pairs) and have Salamon malamutes (the best boot ever!!!) and some Adidas protoype boots with very little life left in them. I wish they made 550's forever. I love that board!!!