Caster board
A caster board is a two-wheeled, human-propelled vehicle that is closely related to the skateboard and the snakeboard. Two narrow platforms known as "decks" are adjoined by a metal beam (Usually coated by rubber) that houses a strong spring. Each truck has one polyurethane wheel that is connected to the deck in a way that each wheel can rotate independently, like the casters on a shopping trolley. Both wheels are mounted on slants that measure around 30° in angle, facing away from the front of the board. There are four main parts to a caster board; the decks, the casters, the wheels, and the torsion bar.
Movement
Due to the unique construction of a caster board; riding one (or "casterboarding") is more akin to snowboarding or surfboarding than skateboarding. The stance remains perpendicular to the board, and the feet do not need to leave the board to gain speed. While riding, one can also carve back and forth, making heel-and-toe side turns (see steering). Initially, one places their front foot (depending on which way you ride) on the front of the board, which is uni-directional. Once on the board, and riding, the independent motion capabilities of the front and back of the board allow it to twist along the lengthwise axis. This lets the rider turn or even propel the board forward without removing his or her feet from the board.
The motion requires that the board be flipped all around so as to slide either just the back foot or both the front and back feet side to side, essentially pushing the board forward at the outside of the movement, before the foot is brought back in the other direction. In principle, the act is similar to what is required to propel one who is riding inline skates forward, as opposed to how skateboarders push with their legs. To ride a caster board, you need to use a twisting motion of your hips and legs much like dancing with a partner where each step and movement is a carefully calculated movement.
The means by which a rider or "casterboarder" gains speed is attributed to the fact that each wheel is mounted on a 30° slant on the bottom of each individually rotating truck. When each truck is pushed to the side, it causes the board to be pushed upward by the wheels' rotation against the gradient of the mounts. This creates potential energy that is then released because of the board being forced to move back down under the rider's weight and its own combined. The weight pushing the board back down causes the wheels to want to turn to face straight again. The wheels can only face straight again by being able to roll, so the forward motion is created. While riding on a caster board, the increase in height is barely noticeable unless the rider twists the board along the vertical axis too hard, causing stability to be momentarily reduced. There are many types of caster boards; RipStik[1], The Wave[2], LA Vigorboard, Swaveboard, AXIS Casterboarding and more.
Casterboards have been introduced onto many school curriculums as a means of teaching the basic movement principles that govern boardsports. The success in its ability to engage with pupils not interested in sport was assessed in a 12 week, 6 secondary school case study in the UK carried out by Curriculum Ex[3]
Foot Placement
Foot placement is critical on a caster board because one wheel rests under each foot while in use. In order to start with proper foot placement, it is necessary to have the front foot above the center of the front caster and to allow the back foot to give a good push of speed that will allow the board to keep proper balance. Attempting to place the back foot too quickly will make it even more difficult to achieve a desirable foot placement, so it is best to give that foot a maximum of two seconds for it to properly set itself on the board. More experienced riders will be able to place their back feet more quickly. To perform a manual, put your rear foot on the back end of the rear deck with out letting it come off and gently lift your front foot up, do it the same way on the front to perform a nose manual.
If the user is already riding the board and the user recognizes that the foot placement is slightly undesirable, he/she could replace both feet simultaneously without interrupting his/her ride that is already taking place. This is done by the rider first making sure that he/she is riding at a normal speed and that the riding surface ahead is stable for riding on, then jumping with both feet at a minimal height that allows both shoes to separate their treads from the grips of the caster board. The rider may continue to "hop around" the board until a most desirable foot placement is achieved and for as long as a proper speed is maintained. Hopping around may even more easily produce better results than getting off the board and getting back on again. A much more difficult means of replacing the feet while riding is when the rider attempts to correct only one foot at a time, increasing the risk of shifting his/her weight too far forward or backward and falling to the ground.
Steering
In order to steer properly on a caster board, the front foot must lean into the curve while the back foot leans out of the curve. By leaning the front foot in and the back foot out, the front wheel, which will have its front facing inward, is forced to form an arc with the back wheel, which will have its front facing outward. This arcing allows for very sharp turning, but can be exercised for making wide turns as well. While attempting to turn on the board at a higher speed and/or using a tighter arc, the rider leans his/her center of gravity into the turn to keep from falling from the board. However, like all vehicles, there is a limit to the combined sharpness and speed of turning on a caster board without it becoming overturned. It is possible to propel the board while turning by making weaving motions that are typically smaller than what you would make moving in a relatively straight trajectory.
The wrong way to turn on a caster board is to lean both of the trucks similarly into the direction that is desired to turn toward, which will cause the board to move away from the leaning direction in a parallel-sliding fashion.
Safety
A helmet, elbow pads, knee pads, gloves, and shin guards are recommended when using a caster board.[4] Falling is common for inexperienced riders.
Tricks
A variety of tricks can be done on a caster board. They are coping and ledge[5] tricks, manuals[6] and flips.[7] The various flips tricks are: Kickflip, No Comply Impossible, Double Kickflip, Fakie Kickflip, Switch Kickflip, Fakie Bigspin, Nollie Kickflip, Nollie Heelflip, Nollie Frontside 180 Bigspin, Varial Kickflip, Varial Heelflip, Backside 180 Kickflip, Frontside 180 Heelflip, Frontside 180 Kickflip, 360 Kickflip and the Frontside 180 Double Kickflip.[8][9][10][11]
Skatepark
Casterboarders also ride in skateparks like usual skateboard. However some skateparks reject them as following.
- Unless four-wheels or single-deck skateboards are banned.[12] This rule was planned by Japan Skatepark Association. Their reasons were:
- When a rider falls, it is hard to predict which way the board goes.
- It may interfere other skateboards, inlineskates and BMX.
- It can bring unpredictable danger.
See also
References
- ^ http://www.ripstik.com
- ^ http://www.streetsurfing.com
- ^ http://www.curriculum-ex.com/what-we-offer/case-studies/
- ^ http://www.ripstik.com/us/support/
- ^ RipStik USA Trictionary - Coping and Ledge Tricks http://www.youtube.com/user/ripstikusa?blend=1&ob=4#p/u/7/4b38n-cAHCY
- ^ RipStik USA Tricktionary - Manual Tricks http://www.youtube.com/user/ripstikusa?blend=1&ob=4#p/u/6/NBQpd4dmnqQ
- ^ RipStik USA Trictionary - Flips http://www.youtube.com/user/ripstikusa?blend=1&ob=4#p/u/9/1PV4FCZs4vE
- ^ As seen in RipStik USA's Tricktionary video
- ^ RipStik USA Tricktionary - Manual Tricks http://www.youtube.com/user/ripstikusa?blend=1&ob=4#p/u/6/NBQpd4dmnqQ
- ^ Axis Tutorial 360 Spins - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAAjz-3XfBE
- ^ Axis Tutorial Nose Spins - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4FU9D_FARo
- ^ Skatepark self check sheetTemplate:Ja