Sandboarding

A sandboarder does a jump on Fortaleza dunes.
Photo by Raphael Koerich.

Sandboarding is a recreational activity similar to snowboarding that takes place on sand dunes rather than snow-covered hills. For some, it involves riding across or down a dune while standing with both feet strapped to a board, while others use a board with no bindings. The latter method is considered much more dangerous than the former.

This boardsport has adherents throughout the world, but for obvious reasons tends to be most prevalent in desert areas, or coastal areas with beach dunes, notably the western U.S., some regions of South America, and North Africa and South Africa.

It is much less popular than snowboarding, partly because it is very difficult to build a mechanized ski lift on a sand dune, and so participants must walk back to the top of the hill after every run. On the other hand, dunes are normally available all year round, compared to winter-only snow sports.

Peru is well known for having the biggest Sand dunes in the world in Ica, some reaching up to 2 km.

Josh Tenge, professional sandboarding champion, owns the Guinness Book of World Records entry for the longest-distance back flip at 44' 10".

Equipment

Sandboarding in Dubai

The sandboard base is much harder than a snowboard, built mostly out of formica or laminex with special base materials now being made for this sport. To glide in the sand, the board bottom is often waxed, usually with a paraffin based sandboard wax, before a run. After use, the bottom of the board may have a lightly sanded look to it while 'Race Base' tends to polish smoother and glossier with use. Most terrain sandboards are composed of hardwood ply while 'full size' sandboards are a wood, fibre glass, plastic composite. However, a snowboarding base will often work on steeper dunes. Erik Johnson, a professional snowboarder and sandboarder, holds the Guinness World Record for Speed on a Sandboard at 51 MPH.