DexterDownhill Skateboards
May 23rd 2008 01:01
The Tool To Conquer The Mountain
The need for vertical speed
As I have gotten older my taste for adrenalin sports has not wavered but my physical ability to thrash and tear has diminished. In the water I moved from surfing on a short-board to a Malibu (longboard) because of the more casual style.
In the last few years my passion for skateboarding has also seen a move from the traditional shorter board to the carve mastering longer downhill boards. I purchased a Koa Pin Arbor deck with gooey wheels and super wide trucks a while ago. Ordered from the US, when the beautiful machine arrived the classic wood finish and alluring perfection of the lines had me second guessing wether to ride it or frame it on a wall as a work of art.
My Board of choice, the Arbor Koa Pin
Designed specifically for handling at higher speed these extended planks allow you to easily stay upright on steep gradients and to cruise on mellower slopes. For me the attraction in the graceful turning and smooth ride but in competition these boards are often used for high speed, reaching deadly velocity on dead mans hills. The discipline is called “speedboarding”.
The sport itself has been around since Skateboarding popularity soared in the 1970’s but these newer boards have maximised the technology in the last decade with a revival in the more classic form.
Used also for slalom courses which is no less dangerous or demanding the skilful riders navigate there weapons of the road with a precision that should be admired with the same passion as the pipe riders who achieve big air.
I know I really haven’t shared much information about the evolution and specifics of the sport, instead getting distracted with gushing about my own experiences. If you’re interested in knowing more about the history and technical side, please visit ncdsa.com
Video 1 - radical downhill action
Video 2 - The art of the power slide
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