The History Of The Skateboard

By Alexander Stone

A skate board is a specially designed wooden board, usually maple, with a quad wheel and dual truck wheel system that is bolted on a board that is typically 7 to 10 inches wide and from 28 to 33 inches long. The modern skateboard originated in California in the late 1970's. By the mid 1980's they were produced in droves as they became popular

Operating a skate board is very simple, put one foot on the board and push with the other of course it takes a little practice to do it right. Riders can do stunts with them with specially made equipments like the half pipe and inside empty swimming pools. Skate boards are also popular with slalom riders that is riding down hill and weaving around obstacles.

There is no regulatory body which decides what qualifies as a skate board and what does not. Generally the skate board follows contemporary trends and the design of the board is based on that. There is another type of skateboard called a long board and it is as the name suggests a longer version of the skate board designed for down hill riders.

There is no exact origin of the skate board. Some people see it as an offshoot of "soapbox" carts the kids in 1930's and 40's would make out of boxes. That was depression era improvisation for kids who had little or no toys to play with and had to make do with anything they had.

But later on in the 1950's surfing became popular and some people wanted to recreate the same experience on land and created the long board, which was basically a skate board that was longer. This was in a way the direct ancestor of the skateboard. Then more recently in late 90's skaters wanted a board that combined the long boards stability with the skate boards handling, hence the mini long board was born. - 31502

About the Author:

Learn more about the Mini Longboard. Stop by Alexander Stone's site where you can find out all about the Mini Skateboard and what it can do for you.

Learn How To Skateboard Today

By Louise Servage

Skateboarding started off as a somewhat obsolete sport but has now become one of the most popular sports in the world. No longer thought of nothing more than a fun hobby, skateboarding is now considered as being a legit sport and there are professional athletes who make their living off skating. Anyone who's interested in getting started in the sport is going to need to take the time to learn how to skateboard. Anyone can get started in the sport, learn how to skateboard and become a skilled skater, if they learn a few basic moves.

The very first thing you need to learn is how to place your feet on the board the front foot must be between the middle of your board and the front bolt heads while your rear foot must rest on the tail. The ball of your rear foot should be in the middle of the board so that when you push down the force is exerted by the ball of the foot. Your front foot should be placed as nearly horizontal across the board as possible. Start practicing maintaining this position on a still board first and then on a moving one.

For an Ollie you place your front foot in the middle and back foot at the end of the skateboard. Get your balance and then push down hard on the back end of the board, while slowly moving your opposite foot more to the front as the board starts to lift at that end. Push down even harder with your front foot and this will get you air, so you can basically jump with the board onto rails, stairs, or just give yourself some lift for another trick. Make sure to keep your feet close to the board at all times so you don't fall off when making your landing.

To actually do an ollie reach a moderate speed and press down so hard on the tail so that it hits the ground and jump up using your rear leg and simultaneously lift your front leg so the knees moves towards the chest. Now drag your front foot along the board as you jump this will make it appear as if the board is sticking to your feet while it is airborne.

As you get more comfortable with this you can build up your speed and the heights to which you can jump. The secret of how to do an ollie on a skateboard lies in remembering that there are three actions that have to be done at the same time pressing the tail down, jumping up and drawing the front knee to the chest. Timing is everything and all these three actions have to be done at the same time. - 31502

About the Author:

Learn more about Skateboarding. Stop by Louise Servage's site where you can find out all about Secrets Of Skateboarding and what it can do for you.

5 Reasons Why Mountainboarding Is Worth Trying

By Tony Briggs

The extreme sport called mountainboarding has hardly any limits. It is not like skateboarding or snowboarding where you can only do it on one type of terrain or surface, hard or snow. With one of these you can ride on more than just pavement, and the season doesn't end when the snow melts!

Why should you try the exciting sport of mountainboarding? Let me give you some reasons.

If you want to get exercise, try this sport out. The ride down is exhilarating, and will get your heart pumping. The walk up is great exercise because you have to carry the board up while walking uphill. It sure beats running on a treadmill, or using an exercise bike and going nowhere! Why stay caged up in a gym when you could go outside and enjoy some fresh air while getting a good workout? Working out doesn't have to be boring, with mountainboarding you can have fun while you burn calories!

Want to have fun? Try this sport out! It is an adrenaline pumping and exhilarating experience. Only a zombie would be able to make it to the bottom of the hill and not smile even a little. I doubt a zombie could make it all the way down a hill without falling off, but that is besides the point.

It isn't easy to do this extreme sport, it's a challenge. If you want a challenge, give it a try! You can always push yourself to do bigger and better things. There's always a new challenge just around the corner.

Like the outdoors? This sport is all about being outside and having fun. It gives you a good excuse to go outside and enjoy the great outdoors or the wonderful weather. With a mountainboard underneath you, the world literally becomes a giant park to ride at.

Snow melts, dirt doesn't. If you are a snowboarder you can pick up this sport in the off season. If you live in a warm climate, it gives you a chance to have fun year round!

There you have it, five great reasons why you need to try the thrilling sport of mountainboarding.

If you want exercise, fun, a challenge, fresh air, and a board sport with little boundaries, this sport may be what you are looking for. - 31502

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For more about mountainboarding, visit ATBRiders, a mountainboard community where mountainboarders worldwide can get together to share tips, pictures, videos, and more.