| When you think of skateboarding, you probably think | | | | skateboarding is also called all-terrain boarding, and |
| of sidewalks, skate parks, and pavement. Most | | | | these boards can literally go almost anywhere. The |
| skateboards are designed only for use on hard, even | | | | one limitation of mountainboards is that they are |
| surfaces. If you hit a rock on a normal skateboard, | | | | meant to be used on slopes, not flat terrain. In fact, |
| you will probably fall off the board. A new type of | | | | they have been seen as a summer alternative for |
| skateboarding, called offboard skateboarding, utilizes | | | | snowboarders, and can usually be used on the same |
| specially-designed boards that can be used nearly | | | | slopes that become snowboarding courses in the |
| anywhere - not just on the pavement. Off road | | | | winter months. |
| skateboards can even be used on dirt, gravel, and | | | | To get started as an offroad skateboarder, you'll |
| hard-packed sand. They can also be used on | | | | want to use plenty of protection. The rough terrain |
| pavement, of course. | | | | makes it even more important to wear padding and |
| By replacing the wheels on your regular skateboard, | | | | a helmet. Otherwise, you run the risk of hitting |
| you can gain some off-road capabilities. Try larger | | | | against trees, large rocks, and other obstacles. |
| rubber wheels. This will allow your board to glide | | | | Because these boards are ridden on sloping hills, you |
| smoothly on some surfaces, like grass and dirt. If you | | | | can often go very fast. Although there is a brake, |
| want a skateboard that can handle even more | | | | higher speeds do increase your risk of falling. Don't |
| rugged terrain, consider an offroad skateboard. | | | | forget about padding for the rest of your body, and |
| These special skateboards use a regular skateboard | | | | always wear long sleeves and pants to protect your |
| design, but each component is specially chosen to | | | | skin from branches and other obstacles that may |
| allow for heavy-duty use on rough terrain. One | | | | hang in your way. Always ensure that the bindings |
| feature found on mountain boards that isn't usually | | | | hold your feet securely, like you would if you were |
| available on regular skateboards is a brake, making it | | | | going snowboarding. |
| easier to stop on dangerous terrain. | | | | Begin learning to offroad skateboard on gentle slopes. |
| Sometimes called mountainboards, these skateboards | | | | It's a good idea if you learn how to skateboard or |
| usually have bindings to keep your feet securely on | | | | snowboard before trying it offroad; this can help you |
| the board, like you'd find on a snowboard. In fact, | | | | learn how to balance. Stopping can be difficult; you'll |
| mountainboards or offroad skateboards are | | | | want to bend your knees and lower yourself down, |
| sometimes seen as a hybrid of snowboard and | | | | grabbing the front edge of the deck with both of |
| skateboard styles; they incorporate four wheels, like | | | | your hands. When still holding the deck, lean |
| a skateboard, but are usually ridden with a stance | | | | backwards. The board will make a sharp turn, |
| similar to that of snowboarders. | | | | stopping suddenly. Be sure to keep your weight in |
| Mountainboards can be used nearly anywhere, rolling | | | | the center of the board when performing this |
| over sticks, leaves, bumps, leaves, and other items | | | | maneuver, or you will lose your balance. |
| that would stop most regular boards. Offroad | | | | |