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| Speedboarding (19049 Posts)
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Speedboarding |
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a good speedboard
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On 7/27/2000
david
wrote in from
(209.179.nnn.nnn)
i've only been speedboarding for a year or so, but i am highly addicted. I was wondering what is the best board for speedboarding. The only one i know of thats desinged for speedboarding is the dreggs race board. what else is there?
david
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Manu's training
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On 7/27/2000
Danny Connor
wrote in from
(152.163.nnn.nnn)
Hey Manu,
If you are going to start training people, sign me up! If you are gonna come to the US for any freeride sessions, or just want to bomb some hills, drop me a line. I'd love to ride with you.
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retirement ....
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On 7/27/2000
MANU
wrote in from
(193.250.nnn.nnn)
Hi my friends,
thanks for your support, i just wanted to tell you that i'll stop racing but will never stop riding,
my next goal is to make good events, especially in free ride, a new concept everybody will love soon
but also some good races where, as usual i will try to unify all the riders and all the styles, i've
some good ideas. Anyhow, i'm about to train many riders, (even US racers) the goal is to give them all
the little experience and i've in that sport and make with them real and true and fair champions, i think
Eli Smouse and ALex Wenk are some of my little sons but more are coming...
But, just a question to you my friends, is the most important is racing (sometimes for fame ...) or Just :
RIDING ?
Stay always true !
Manu
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RE: Butt Boarding
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On 7/27/2000
DT
wrote in from
(209.223.nnn.nnn)
butt boarding is NOT considered the same as speedboarding since you dont stand up,and has its own class. Currently IGSA and a small handful of other organisers have a butt boarding class.
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butt boarding
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On 7/27/2000 Mario
wrote in from
(205.227.nnn.nnn)
When we went for speed we used to sit down. It was easier to brake that way and you could get in a coffin tuck and really fly. Is there a speedboard division for butt boarding?
I remember fondly the route from my parents house to downtown. I'd leave the driveway pushing hard and then move to the sitting position (it took me a while to perfect this trick without getting wobbles) for the first turn. From there I gained a lot of speed to hit three pretty technical corners - wheels sliding and chirping the whole way. I'd drift across both lanes, which was crazy but fast. From there it flattened out and I would stand back up on the board, still moving fast. Then it was back down to sitting for the the final downhill sections and then hard on the brakes (sneakers) at the end. Damn that was fun and there was no way to do it standing up the whole way.
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DURN IT!
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On 7/27/2000 JON WARBURTON
wrote in from
(212.140.nnn.nnn)
GOLDURN IT! THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE OTHER FORUM! I TOLD YOU WORKING WITH TOLUENE AFFECTS YOU!
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VERY METAL
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On 7/27/2000
JON WARBURTON
wrote in from
(212.140.nnn.nnn)
CONGRATULATIONS MONSIEUR CHAPUT, YOUR TRANSLATION WAS SPOT ON! I DO HOPE YOU ARE WRONG ABOUT THE EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES NEEDED FOR A RETHINK ON AERO HELMET DESIGN BUT IN A WAY I GUESS YOU COULD BE RIGHT. SURELY SOMEBODY OUT THERE WILL PICK UP ON THIS IDEA? HEY, IF NO-ONE ELSE IS GOING TO DO IT I MIGHT HAVE TO DO IT MYSELF. PROBLEM IS I USED TO BUILD RACING YACHTS AND CANNOT WORK WITH THOSE MATERIALS ANY MORE DUE TO DERMATITIS. OH WELL. AND CHRIS, I HAVE HEARD OF YOU SO DON'T THINK THAT T.A. GOT ALL THE PRESS! SO LONG.....JONNYX
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Vive la France
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On 7/27/2000
Chris Chaput
wrote in from
(63.168.nnn.nnn)
Pour les Américains,
This is definitely worth a look. A real eye-opener for those not familiar with this style of racing. Although no translation is necessary, I couldn't help myself. I beleive the URL is French for "chaser of curves" or "hunter of curves", not all of which is related to skating ;)
http://www.chasseursdecourbes.com/kvideo1.htm
http://www.chasseursdecourbes.com/kvideo6.htm
http://www.chasseursdecourbes.com/kvideo2.htm
http://www.chasseursdecourbes.com/kvideo5.htm
p.s. I used AltaVisa's Translator to help me with my French:
http://babelfish.altavista.com/translate.dyn It's "très bon". I typed in "Manu" and it returned "winner of curves, chaser of drag racers..."
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Manu!!
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On 7/27/2000
Danny Connor
wrote in from
(205.188.nnn.nnn)
Manu,
Did you say in your post that you are retiring? I hope not! You are one of my heroes as far as the sport of Downhill goes. I only hope that I can be as successfull and as happy as you were, doing what I love-Downhill. I've only raced once, and it was in Mammoth. You probably don't remember, but I gave you an extra copy of "International Lonboarder" that I had. I really wanted the oppurtunity to do some practice runs while rubbing elbows with you, maybe even race you. If you quit, you will be truley missed!
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Mike G
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On 7/27/2000
DT
wrote in from
(209.223.nnn.nnn)
Mike go to Purple Skunk on Geary, one of their workers is named Eli Smouse, he rips! and he can tell and sell all the info and gear that you need.
you can also go to the Purple Skunk link in the links forum
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Slide ways
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On 7/27/2000 Slidemaster
wrote in from
(63.168.nnn.nnn)
Slide Masters:
To get more about UHMW online, copy this URL (select text and then Ctrl+C) and paste it (Ctrl+V) into the adress window of your browser:
http://param.mcmaster.com/asp/ss.asp?FAM=polyethylene&desc=UHMW+Polyethylene&FT_&FT_103=118&FT_102=413&FT_107=172
This is for 1/2". To get more info, type in UHMW in the search text box of the homepage at www.McMaster.com This company is awesome!
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Speedboarding in SF bay area
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On 7/26/2000
Mike G
wrote in from
(64.7.nnn.nnn)
I am almost 16 years old and i am totaly interested in this sport of speedboarding but dont have the right equipment..yet.. I have to see this sport for real.. If any of you plan to skate in the SF bay area i would like to see. I need to learn some pointers for the future..
---Mike G
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The Long and Winding Road
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On 7/26/2000
Chaput, Lennon and McCartney
wrote in from
(63.168.nnn.nnn)
THINK ABOUT IT,
Quickly, name three NASCAR drivers, two top fuel Funny Car drivers, and one Le Mans driver. How did you you do? How many cameras do you need to cover an oval or a drag strip. Now how many cameras to cover a Le Mans or Grand Prix event? How many hay bales? How many shuttles on the separate road back up to the top? How many can you personally afford, right now, today? How many days does it take to run a 2, 4, and 6 man downhill event in the rain? How many sponsors can you get to pay for a race that gathers 100 spectators and provides for zero media attention?
Welcome to the world of racing.
For the record. I think that longer, technical, more phyically demanding courses will separate the men from the boys. They provide the most challenging and respectable racing on the planet. Only one big problem. It is absolutely, positively the most difficult venue for showcasing a racers talents. How many race tracks to date have been built expressly for downhill and/or streetluge? Zero.
I am not going complain about the lack of premier race venues nor about the politics involved until I can a better job myself. I want to be proactive in working with citys, local government agencies and homeowners in the areas that provide for the best racing. The media is ALWAYS going to look for something that they can cover easily that makes for a good SHOW. The crowd up in SF were treated to a great show and will see it again nicely packaged for TV on USA Network this Saturday at 11:00am ET and PT. Was it the best luge racing? Of course not, but how many of you would like to bee seen on National TV flying through the air and landing on the podium with a gold medal on your neck, a check in your pocket, a skateboard in one hand and a bottle of champagne in your other? I would. My family and friends would. My (future) Sponsors would. I love being a part of a good show. 99.99% of the population doesn't know about the racing politics the way the racers do. Take a look at this from the spectators stand point of view. The can see what happens on an oval or dragstrip. Standing at one turn on a two mile course is difficult. Perhaps in the future, I will have to quit racing to become a race promoter due to the obvious conflict of interest. Until then, I'll be looking for another 15 minutes of fame in racing. I'll be at as many events in as many formats as possible to gain experience in ALL disciplines. For now, I feel BLESSED that my first three races are Mammoth, SF and Seattle. Have few or no real turns gave me an opportunity to step in, compete and learn the ropes without hurting myself or other riders. I like unlimited push at the top because I think athleticism should be a part of the race.
In 1976 I was THE best freestyle skateboarder in the world. Today remember Tony Alva and say Chris who? Tony was and is an awesome skater but it was the media attention more than his skating ability that gave him his name. If I had to do it all over again, I would spend as much time promoting the sport (and myself) as I would practicing. Being a big fish in a small is not my idea of success. I'd rather be a colorful individual in a spectacular SCHOOL of fish. Old school versus New school? No thank-you. How about Future School?
Quickly, name an Olympic wrestler. Name two Professional Wrestlers. It is hard to respect someone I've never seen or heard of. Whether European or American, we can unite and make sure that this sport does not shoot itself in the foot. There is enough fame and fortune to go around for everyone, and talent is eveywhere.
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TECH VS BURLY
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On 7/26/2000
JON WARBURTON
wrote in from
(62.6.nnn.nnn)
FIRST OFF, THANKS TO ALL AT NCDSA FOR THE NEW FORUM! AS REGARDS THE TWO STYLES OF "DESCENT" I'M KIND OF STUCK IN THE MIDDLE HERE IN ENGLAND. IT'S OFFICIAL, A EUROPEAN UNION REPORT HAS ASSESSED THAT BRITAIN HAS THE WORST ROADS IN EUROPE! WE ALSO HAVE MORE CARS PER MILE OF ROAD THAN ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD! WE DON'T HAVE THE TIGHT TURNS OF THE MAINLAND EUROPEANS OR THE BIG, OPEN FREEWAYS OF THE USA. I PROPOSE CALLING THE TECHNICAL RACING "ALPINE STYLE" BECAUSE LET'S FACE IT THAT IS WHERE ALL THE BEST HAIRPIN ROADS ARE. I THINK THAT FITS WITH ALPINE STYLE CLIMBING, MEANING THAT IT IS A QUICK ATTACK ON A MOUNTAIN WITH MINIMUM EQUIPMENT AND PROTECTION. WATCH THE TOUR DE FRANCE CYCLE RACING AND YOU'LL KNOW WHAT I MEAN. MANU, SORRY TO HEAR YOU ARE RETIRING FROM RACING BUT I AGREE WITH YOU ABOUT THE CONFLICT OF INTERESTS WHICH HAPPENS WHEN RACING AND ORGANISING AT ONCE. CAN'T YOU GET SOMEONE ELSE TO RUN THE RACES? YOU ARE A GREAT AND NATURAL RACER AND I DREAD TO THINK THAT I'LL NEVER RACE YOU AGAIN BECAUSE YOU TAUGHT ME A LOT WITHOUT EVEN KNOWING IT! AND COLEMAN, GET IN TOUCH DUDE WE WANT YOU TO RUN A MASTERCLASS IN SLIDING TECHNIQUES HERE ON APE ISLAND AND I THINK WE CAN PAY YOUR FLIGHTS ETC. BETWEEN US. OK THATS ALL EXCEPT TO SAY THAT I'VE LOST MOST OF MY CONTACT NUMBERS SO IF YOU KNOW NE, GET IN TOUCH! SO LONG......... JONNY"WOLVERINE" X
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NCDSA, New Forum
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On 7/26/2000
Cliff Coleman
wrote in from
(209.162.nnn.nnn)
Adam and DT,
Thanks for the new forum! Also thanks to those of you who have entered this new dialog regarding Speedboarding.
I'm in the process of trying to promote a technical race in the future in Berkeley, CA. Keep your fingers crossed. It is a course that has it all. It is similar to what Herbn was describing. Straight shots for fast speeds and sharp hairpins where the rider must know how to slide to slow their speed. Will this happen? I can only do my best and hope everything works out.
Don't forget the other downhillers. The ones who don't race but enjoy riding downhill. In my area we have enjoyed downhill freestyle for many years. This means riding and sliding with many variations. We also like to do doubles and triples. This is where the lead rider does what he/she wants and the others following try to mirror image the front riders moves. Visually it is very exciting and also fun for the riders. The rule is that the following riders don't run into the lead rider. There is no limit to the possible techniques or styles of Downhill Sliding.
Enjoy,
Cliff Coleman
p.s. DT, Just show up and I'll buy you breakfast. I'm planning a ride in the Berkeley hills September 2nd and 3rd over the Labor Day weekend.
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The Cliff Coleman Challenge
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On 7/26/2000
DT
wrote in from
(209.223.nnn.nnn)
I hope you make a lot of money in Australia, you'll need it for my big breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
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what Manu & Cliff posted
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On 7/26/2000
DT
wrote in from
(209.223.nnn.nnn)
well said.
heres a free tip: keep an eye on Chris Chaput and Eli Smouse.
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tech DH courses
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On 7/26/2000 Herbn
wrote in from
(207.198.nnn.nnn)
My racing experience is mostly with DH mountainbiking and there are quite a few parallels.The Euros had more tech courses and are better at that type of riding,around the northeast here, Platekill has always had the burliest tech race courses people that travel to race here from Cali and other places are usually pretty shocked,some have called the courses unridable.Tech sections that open up into high speed straights,then back to tech,a few times, thats definetely the way to go,unfortuately skateboard race courses are not as easy to build as mountainbike runs,you can't pave a new run for each race,while anybody with a rake,a saw, and some yellow course marking tape can make a burly mountainbike run,(there isn't much that a eightinch+ travel mountain bike can't go down,around,or over) it's essentially mark it and let the riders figure out how to get down it.I can't think of to many roads around here that would qualify as being that difficult,although if you took really steep hills and put up barriers that had to be gone around,then you'd have something,GS speedboarding,Barrier streetboarder cross?
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differences
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On 7/26/2000
hugh r
wrote in from
(205.216.nnn.nnn)
Although I beleive that I am considerably younger than most of you other old guys (I will be 39 soon, so maybe DT is a little younger) I personally enjoy the diversity in styles that we have now. In the old days the guys in my SFV neighboorhood raced in much the same manner of todays US riders... of course this was on ancient equipment... bennet pros, road riders, homemade pine decks... some of you will remember that stuff. We used to hit some pretty high speeds for back then (mid 50's) and I am hoping to be able to do it again... if my nerve holds up!
I believe that there are a few reasons for the major differences in race courses between the US and other countries. Americans (myself included) are very impressed by the "big numbers", top speed, highest mountain, most goldfish in the belly etc... I think this hits most of the racing communities... guys want to be the "fastest"... there seems to be more glory in that (and everybody wants a little bit of that, even if we don't want to admit it... its the american way)
The other reason is road related... I spent some time in Europe in the past and where I was there were many more steep winding roads. Also a lot less traffic. Here in So Cal there is a lot more traffic and the more technical mountain roads are very treacherous. I used to race my little RD-350 through the canyons and a mistake could have meant a trip down 1000 ft of cliff (the mountain kind, not the coleman kind) Even still, the safest roads I can find to skate fast on seem to have very few turns and lots of visability.
Just like in auto/motorcycle racing, there is room for all different types of riders, techniques, styles, and courses. I think its great. I also think its great that the Euro's whooped us in their own neighboorhood... We americans need that every so often to keep us honest!
My rambling two cents... HR
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Speedboarding
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On 7/26/2000
MANU
wrote in from
(193.250.nnn.nnn)
Hi my friends,
and thanks to Danny and Clifford for opinions i share with them !
As an organizer of races and one of the most known european
speed rider, i flew around the world and participated
to a lot of races, and i do say that the "american style"
is sometimes boring, even if i respect a lot all the american riders.
Just imagine a race where you just have to go straight down
with just one or two turns,and nothing else than draft all
the time, i've done it, i won sometimes, but it's not the
race style i'm defending, because it doesn't really make the
riding technique improve, the example is easy, lots of speed
boarders were racing for years and used to win that kind of
races, when i came to usa, i was just riding for 1 year, and
i easily won my second race, because it wasn't a matter of
particular assets, but just a matter of weight and draft !
I must say it's not a victory i'm really proud about .
When the american people, (i don't criticize them at all) even great
riders came in europe for racing they found out different roads
with a lot of turns, shitty pavement and sometimes u turns, they
were surprised and were dominated, it happened in luging too
and the result is, that the best competitions are now, very turning
competitions, with speed (of course), but more technical turns and
brakings. In all styles, luge or stand up,straight or turning, american
riders improved a lot and some are now able to ride as well as euro,
what means, everybody can do it. If i say that, it's just because i think
we just have to organize those technical races, it's better for the sport
and doesn't mean we won't go fast anymore, but that we have to mix
both styles ! I talked a lot with the pro riders, and the majority of them
agreed with me ! It's the best way to make the riding technique improve.
For those who believe, i'm defending the turning and technical races, just
because i'm organizing some and winning more often, i just tell them, i'm
retiring myself from competing, just because you can't be a racer and
organize fairly an event in the same time !!!!!
But i love that sport, not only downhill , i want it to grow and improve...
thanks to all the riders !!!!!
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speed board
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On 7/26/2000 Kanoa
wrote in from
(38.29.nnn.nnn)
So I have been wondering, if someone were to use a moterized board or to be towed by a car, with lets say a water ski rope, across the salt flats off salt lake city and lets say even destroyed the world's fastest skateboard speed by a long shot! The question is, would this be excepted by the skateboard community?
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Downhill skateboarding
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On 7/26/2000
Danny Connor
wrote in from
(64.12.nnn.nnn)
OK, to me, there is a difference between Speedboarding and downhill skateboarding, eventhough we use both names for both styles. It might sound stupid but just hear me out. To me, speedboarding is what most Americans do for their racing. It is all about, drafting, aero gear, and who can hold the lowest tuck for the longest period of time. Usually there are sweeping turns, maybe a couple of sharper ones, but it's all about who can stay in front without getting drafted. Downhill skateboarding is a style that most Americans don't really seem to get into too often. I'd have to agree with Cliff about the fact that there are too few of any "technical" races. This stuff is all about rail grabbing, slider gloves, and wheels chattering around very sharp turns. I don't think one style is better than the other. Personally, I think it takes more balls to drop and nail a sharp turn, while your wheels are on the verge of letting go, going 35 mph, than it does to fly through a sweeper with a slight lean going 50 mph. I do both on a regular basis, so I have some grounds to back up my opinions. This can be argued till the end of time, but that's what I think about it.
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Styles of Speedboarding
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On 7/26/2000
Cliff Coleman
wrote in from
(216.224.nnn.nnn)
There has been a lot of talk regarding speed helmets, aero tucks, fast bearings etc. While riding in Europe it was my pleasure to see some of the best technical riders ever. They won because of their riding skill and not because of what they were wearing.
Most races in the United States are not very technical! What a shame. Riders with more money than others who can afford expensive gear end up beating equally talented racers with less aero equipment. The same racers that win here in the U.S. didn't place in the top four at the Zurich, Switzerland race for example.
In the future the most exciting races will be the ones on winding or technical courses. I'm not against what I call drag races there is room for all styles. I'm just saying that I find the technical races more exciting for me.
For everyones information, I did'nt race well in either the technical or drag style races this past season. Although I'm 50 and this is the fifth decade that I've competed in, 1960s,70s,80s,90s and now in the year 2000 I'll race any American in Berkeley, CA and if you can beat me I'll buy you breakfast, lunch and dinner.
This post is dedicated to the fantastic riders from Europe who are helping further the use of slider gloves. They are helping me lead the way to safer and more exciting downhill for all who learn these techniques.
Sincerely,
Cliff Coleman
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wow
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On 7/26/2000
Danny Connor
wrote in from
(64.12.nnn.nnn)
This is the coolest thing I have ever seem on the internet!Speedboarders unite!
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First Place
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On 7/25/2000
Chris Chaput
wrote in from
(63.168.nnn.nnn)
Hey,
Do I get a Gold Medal for being the first guy to put a post in the speedboarding section? Jump in boys, the water is fine, but it does feel a little lonely in here. Speedboarder fans in SoCal, show up Sunday Aug 6th at the dump road for fun and excitement, as well as show and tell. Some bad dudes are gonna be there riding some fast machines. Catch me if you can. I'm gonna uncover the eyechart stuck on my butt about halfway down the hill to test your vision. If you can read the fine print I'll buy you lunch. If I see your butt, I'll be eating crow.
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