Wave board

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The bottom of a wave board
The bottom of a wave board

A Waveboard is similar to a skateboard, but built on a riding system called a caster board. The board rides on two wheels, each on a caster pivot point, so each wheel can rotate 360°. A wave board contains two independently pivoting platforms with a one-wheel "truck," called a caster, below each. The platforms are connected by a torsion bar that allows them to pivot about the X axis.

[edit] Movement

A wave board can be distinguished from most other boards by its method of propulsion - the rider pushes his back foot forward and back, or moves the whole board in a transverse wave motion. This type of propulsion is also used by snakeboards (whose two platforms pivot about the Y axis), but the dynamics are different. This form of propulsion allows the user to move uphill as well as downhill.

Turning
Turning

Turning with a wave board differs from the conventional turning method on a skateboard; the rider must flex the front of the board in the direction they wish to turn. To make a sharper turn, the rider must flex the back of the board in the opposite direction as well as flexing the front of the board to the direction desired.

This shows the rider and board in motion.
This shows the rider and board in motion.
A Ripstik, very similar to "The Wave" brand.
A Ripstik, very similar to "The Wave" brand.

[edit] Characteristics

Pros

  • Drifting
  • Snowboard type movement
  • Natural feeling, aka "waving"
  • Easy to learn
  • Smooth movement
  • Good exercise

Cons

  • Hard to stop
  • Can be tiring
  • Frustrating to learn
  • Harder to go uphill with
  • Not as portable as a skateboard


[edit] Well-known tricks

  • 180 and 360
  • Pop-Shuvit
  • Nose manual
  • Manual
  • Ollie
  • Tail Spin
  • Tail Spin Indy
  • Tail Spin Nose Grab
  • Caveman
  • Kickflip
  • Wild Flailing
  • and many more........