A Year In Europe
What Is It?
Downhill skateboarding is pretty self explanatory really. You take a large skateboard to the top of a hill, don a helmet and ride to the bottom as fast as you can.
Skateboarding became large in the 70's. Trick boards like we see the kids riding today didn't exist. People were riding in the neighbours empty swimming pools and down big hills. By the early 80's boards had started to develop tails or 'kicks' on either end and the way people rode them changed pretty quickly.
Longboarding is now seen as a 'new sport' even though it pre-dates short boarding but it is rapidly gaining popularity and we are seeing a lot more people giving it a go. When we ride we use much longer and thicker boards. This gives a longer wheel base which not only increases stability on it's own but it also allows the rider to put all of his or her weight over the front trucks which again will increase stability and eliminate the risk of speed wobbles.
The International Gravity Sports Association (IGSA) now has a world wide, yearly circuit of downhill races. The races spread through Europe, Canada and America, Australia, South Africa and Brazil. Every year new races seem to make it into the line up and the circuit gets bigger and bigger. Average speeds during a skateboard race range from anywhere between 70 and 100 kmh (40 to 60 mph). The world record is currently set at 125kmh (77mph) but most people are aware that it has been un-officially broken several times by different riders.
I would like to thank my sponsors for all the help they have given me. Things would have been much harder for me if it weren't for there generosity and passion for skateboarding. I would also like to thank the Australian Skateboard Racing Association (ASRA) for all the hard work they have put into our sport over the years. I certainly would not be skating around the world and doing what I love if it weren't for them. Cheers guys!!!
Skateboarding became large in the 70's. Trick boards like we see the kids riding today didn't exist. People were riding in the neighbours empty swimming pools and down big hills. By the early 80's boards had started to develop tails or 'kicks' on either end and the way people rode them changed pretty quickly.
Longboarding is now seen as a 'new sport' even though it pre-dates short boarding but it is rapidly gaining popularity and we are seeing a lot more people giving it a go. When we ride we use much longer and thicker boards. This gives a longer wheel base which not only increases stability on it's own but it also allows the rider to put all of his or her weight over the front trucks which again will increase stability and eliminate the risk of speed wobbles.
The International Gravity Sports Association (IGSA) now has a world wide, yearly circuit of downhill races. The races spread through Europe, Canada and America, Australia, South Africa and Brazil. Every year new races seem to make it into the line up and the circuit gets bigger and bigger. Average speeds during a skateboard race range from anywhere between 70 and 100 kmh (40 to 60 mph). The world record is currently set at 125kmh (77mph) but most people are aware that it has been un-officially broken several times by different riders.
I would like to thank my sponsors for all the help they have given me. Things would have been much harder for me if it weren't for there generosity and passion for skateboarding. I would also like to thank the Australian Skateboard Racing Association (ASRA) for all the hard work they have put into our sport over the years. I certainly would not be skating around the world and doing what I love if it weren't for them. Cheers guys!!!
