Freebord

File:X80flat.jpg

Freebord model X-80, bottom side

A Freebord is kind of specialist skateboard designed to closely simulate the behaviour of a snowboard. They have 6 wheels - two magnet locked castor wheels on the central axis, and four slightly raised conventional wheels. The central wheels are able to turn freely in all directions, which allows the Freebord to glide as long as no other wheel touches the ground. By exerting some pressure on the edge wheels, the freeboarder is able to control the board. The central wheels thus mimick the deck of the snowboard, while the outer wheels mimick the two steel edges.

All such freebords are currently manufactured by one company, Freebord manufacturing Inc. The inventor of the Freebord, Steen Strand, had originally planned for the board to have a total of 8 wheels, with two central middle axes. This design, however, resulted in the rider's fluidity and freestyle flow to be obstructed by both the heavy weight of the design and the imbalance in numerous wheels. After many revisions, the current Freebords feature black powder coated trucks and Xponent series decks ranging from 75 cm to 87 cm in length.

Skyhook bindings are commonly used to provide more control over the board and allow to exert more pressure on its edges. There are two types of of bindings, the S1 early model and the fully, angle and height, adjustable S2 binding.

Older Alpha series decks featured kicktails and were of a longer length (100cm and 112cm). These have now almost completely been replaced by the xponent series which are much lighter and more manoverable.

Just like on a snowboard, the rider is able to perform both carve and slide turns.

Although there has been a recent trend away from slide related tricks, moves such as the 'tommy gun' were developed during the early days and coined by pioneers of the sport.

References

1. Barron, Kelley. "Wheeler-Dealer". Forbes. 05.01.00 Online copy
2. Gromer, John. "Chairman Of The Bord: Introducing Freebord, the world's first snowboard for the street." Popular Mechanics. April 3, 2002 Online copy
3. University newspaper coverage: University of Toronto, Yale, University of Western Ontario

External links

• .
• Freebord Forum .
• Freebord Forum Spain.
• French freebord community site.
• - freebord video site
• Short Freebord Documentary.