Mountain Boarding (ATB)
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| WHAT IS MOUNTAIN BOARDING?
Mountain Boarding, also known as ATB (all terrain boarding),
has been around for a few years now. There have been competitions
in the UK since 1998.
A Mountain Board is a cross between a skateboard and a snowboard.
They are designed to be used on slopes covered by grass or
sometimes dirt. They are probably not designed with snow in
mind, although I have used mine in the snow.
The board is around 1 metre in length and has four large wheels
sticking out to the side of the board. Normal skateboards
tend to have the wheels tucked in under the board. There are
several different types of boards on the market. Some have
a solid bar under the board running from the front trucks
to the back trucks. Some boards have only three wheels. Most
boards come with bindings to strap your feet in. These make
it possible to jump, (take air).
The idea behind the mountain board is to get down a hill having
as much fun on the way down as possible.
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HOW TO RIDE A MOUNTAIN BOARD
If you have done any sort of board sport, i.e. surfing,
skateboarding, snowboarding, etc, you will use the same
principal as in those sports.
First you need to find a nice smooth running hill. You
then need to stand with your feet in the bindings provided,
bend at the knees to support your weight. Find out which
is your leading leg and place this at the front of the board.
Once you become good at riding the board, you will be able
to use either foot at the front. There are two ways of starting
the board moving. Firstly, you can have the board already
facing down the hill when you mount it. The only problem
with this is that the board will try to move before you
get both feet in to the bindings. Alternatively, you can
have the board facing across the top of the hill, climb
on and then jump the board around to face the direction
you wish to be facing. Then it is off down the hill. You
will tend to ride with your knees slightly bent. To steer
the board you press down with either your toes or heels,
depending on which direction you wish to go. Another reason
for keeping your knees bent is that if you are going to
fall, your bum is a little closer to the ground and you
don't have to fall so far. It is best to fall on your rump,
as there is more natural padding there. The best way to
stop is to lower your body towards the ground and hold the
side of the board. As you do this, you want to bring your
back foot around to the front and the board will stop. Sounds
difficult, but is easier done than said.
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WHAT EQUIPMENT DO YOU NEED?
Apart from the board itself, it is worth having a leash so
that the board is permanently attached to you. Remember the
board has wheels, and although you may have fallen off and
stopped, the board may still want to travel. Some people get
really upset if they are hit by a runaway mountain board.
(No sense of humour!) Padding is also a very good idea. No
matter how good you may be, you will fall off at some time.
So a good set of knee and elbow pads will be a good investment.
I have an old pair of wrist supports, which have saved my
wrists on countless occasions. Another must is a helmet. Remember
you are going down a hill on an over grown skateboard, possibly
taking air. Need I explain the helmet? For
those of you who would like an explanation here it is!
(1 mg QuickTime movie)
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boulder jump movie (300k)
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Of course for those of you who like a challenge, take a
look at our power kiting
page, and decide if you fancy using your mountain board
along with a kite....this should keep the speed freaks happy
for a while! or take a peep at our monster
ATB, made from a scudda deck and wide axles fitted with
kite buggy wheels
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In Devon we are lucky enough to have the South West Mountain Board Centre at Abbotsham, nr Bideford. The Extreme Academy at Watergate Bay also has an ATB centre.
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