Streetboarding
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A streetboard is a type of board that started to be developed in the late 90's and can be used in skateparks or street skating. It is somewhat of a hybrid between a skateboard and a snowboard, and is a new evolution of the short lived Snakeboard brand boards.
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[edit] Performance
The rider of a streetboard stands with one foot on each footplate, the feet are usually fixed to the board using foot-straps, and by moving his/her feet in and out in conjunction with the shoulders - the rider is able to propell the board in any direction using only his/her body weight. This transfer of energy is called non-holonomic locomotion. The board moves in a motion similar to that of a snake, hence the sports original name of snakeboarding. The rider of a streetboard can ride the board on almost any terrain (depending on the set-up and model of board) and even propell themselves up-hill and perform extreme stunts similar to those done by skateboarders & snowboarders.
Streetboards allow the rider to gain momentum without the need to push themselves with their feet or hands like skateboarders.
[edit] History
Originally very different in design and known as snakeboards (because of the only company that produced them) these boards were originally designed as toys. They caught on very quickly in the early 90's and soon developed into a sport. In 1998 Snakeboard was sold to MV Sports and soon after they stopped producing the boards. Then in 2000 the World Streetboarding Association was formed by a few riders who were dedicated to keeping the sport alive, in the same year a company called Anderson from Germany started making what it called streetboards. With a wider wooden center bar, more like a skateboard. Later Dimension Streetboards comprising of ex-pro skaters was formed, they bought the patent from MV Sports and not only produced the newer streetboards, but allowed others to do so as well.
