Mountain Boarding / All-Terrain Boarding

Definition

Mountainboarding is an adrenaline sport that combines the best aspects of snowboarding, skateboarding and surfing and allows outdoor enthusiasts to no longer be restricted by weather patterns or limited types of terrain. Turns are initiated by applying pressure through your feet - toes and heels. Most mountainboarders ride down hills and mountains, but the sport is not limited to that. Riders can also enjoy flat land ridin and, a kite can also be incorporated for kite boarding.

Equipment

• Mountainboard
• 2 or 4-line Kite, if kite boarding
• Safety Gear: helmet / knee pads / elbow pads / wrist guards.
• A retention leash (worn for the safety of spectators, can be disregarded when boarding in open areas e.g. beaches)

Introduction

Where to begin. Find yourself a nice flat area of ground and practice the following:

Skating & Mounting

Either position your front foot on the board and push off with your back, or position your back foot on the board and push off with your front. Refer to diagrams below for Front and Back Foot Start.

NB: Your stance on the board should be as follows: eyes looking forward, shoulders and hips parallel to the board and knees and elbows slightly bent. Refer to Stance diagram below. The more relaxed and comfortable you feel on the board the better you will do.

FRONT FOOT START

BACK FOOT START

STANCE

Power Slides

Using power slides to stop:

Heel-side power slide

• Bend your knees, reach down between your legs and grab your deck with your trailing arm.
• Apply pressure to your heel-side and reach out with your lead arm away from you.
• Use your lead arm to guide you around to a stop. NB: The higher or lower you use your guide arm will determine how close your backside comes to the ground.

Toe-side power slide

• Bend your knees and place both your hands out over your toe-side edge. NB: This is an advanced stopping technique.
• With some extra strength, apply pressure to your toes and with your lead shoulder and lead arm drive through your slide.
  NB: It is better to practice this slide on grass until you master it.
  Refer to Mountain Boarding within the GLOSSARY & TECHNICAL INFORMATION page for further information.

Tricks

BASIC TRICKS / GRABS
Try these for starters!

A few of the easier tricks can be achieved by following the instructions below:

Refer to Deck Grab Positions diagram below for assistance.

Position 1 – INDY Grab the middle of your deck on the toe side edge with your trailing hand. Position 2 – ROASTBEEF Grab the middle of your deck on the heel side edge with your trailing hand. Position 4 – NOSE GRAB Grab your deck’s front truck and hold. Position 6 – CROSSBONE Grab your deck just inside of your front foot on the heel side edge and pull your board up into a vertical position.

Position 2 – MELON Grab the middle of your deck on the heel side edge with your leading hand. Position 3 – TAIL GRAB Grab your deck’s rear truck and hold. Position 5 – MUTE Grab your deck just inside of your front toes with your leading hand. (For style, tuck in your knees) Position 7 – STALEFISH Grab your deck just inside of your back heel with your trailing hand.

Notes

Choose easier terrain and gradually work your way up to more difficult riding.

Practicing stopping techniques is extremely important, make sure you can power slide your board to a stop.
Turn frequently while riding, this controls your speed. Never go straight down a hill without making any turns, this is very dangerous.

Caution

Mountainboarding can be dangerous therefore safety gear should be worn at all times. Know your limits - reduce risk by riding within your own capabilities.

Other points to consider:

• Check out your riding area prior to boarding.
• Be mindful of others: pedestrians, animals, cyclists etc.
• Only ride where permission is granted.

Thanks to http://www.kitezone.co.uk/