Mountainboarding, the action-paced sport, has recently seen a surge in its popularity. Mountainboarders consider the earth as their giant skate park and show their skills, tricks and actions nearly on any surface they get. It doesn’t need any snow or waves, unlike snowboarding. When the summer begins, and the snow starts melting, mountainboarding performers are all ready with their e-boards or decks to pull a few tricks out of their sleeves.
But what is mountainboarding in reality? Also, is it dangerous?
Well, at first glance, mountainboarding appears a highly risky sports activity. But, in reality, it is relatively safe just as regular snowboarding or surfing, given that the boarder follows proper safety rules.
What Is Mountainboarding?
To answer it shortly, mountainboarding is much like snowboarding, except that it doesn’t need any snow, wave, or even a proper pavement. They will use the differently designed e-board to skate through any surface they get, from bumpy to flat ones.
It is made possible since they will use e-boards that can conquer all types of terrain with ease. The e-board used for mountainboarding has several integrated parts. It includes:
- A deck made of multiple wooden or plastic plies
- Four wheels; these wheels will feature pneumatic tires
- Two trucks that work much like steering systems
- A few binding; it ties the rider or mountainboarding player with the deck.
Once tied properly, the rider can easily skate through grasslands, woodlands, slopes, hilly regions, or even MTB trails. Since the rider can ride through nearly all terrains with their mountainboard, mountainboarding is different from all boarding sports activities.
The history of mountainboarding is as fascinating as the sport itself is. It originally started in 1990. James Stanley was visiting Matterhorn, and he couldn’t find any snow during that time. So, instead of snowboarding, he almost instantly invented mountainboarding as he passed a few high hills with his conventional snowboard.
At the same time, some Californian snowboarding freaks were looking to make the most of their boards, even during the summertime. Thus, they attached four knobby tires with the deck that truly looked like a snowboard and connected a few bindings with the deck to stay firm on it.
Then, they started skating on the ski resorts even without the snow, and mountainboarding found its first foothold in the USA. Jason Lee was among the pioneers during those early days.
Nowadays, mountainboarding is accepted as a fast-paced and action-filled sports activity worldwide. But is it dangerous or safe?
Let’s find the answer.
Is Mountainboarding Dangerous?
Like any boarding game, mountainboarding also isn’t free of its risk factors. However, it isn’t as dangerous as most people would consider it to be. In fact, with proper preparation, practice, and balance, mountainboarding is as safe as any other sport activity gets.
The key is to find the right balance between your adventurous mind and sense of safety. In fact, it is widely accepted that under proper guidance, mountainboarding is safe for even kids above six. So, you shouldn’t be worried, particularly about mountainboarding risk factors.
Nonetheless, like most snowboarding or surfing sports, it also runs the risk of twisting your ankle or spraining. Thus, it is advised to practice mountainboarding in tandem to get a helping hand in case you face any serious injuries. Plus, mountainboarding with friends will boost your fun and thrill for sure.
Safety tips for mountainboarding
Although mountainboarding isn’t associated with high-risk factors, it doesn’t mean that you should play the game carelessly. Even if you are performing sports in your local ski resort, you should always follow the safety rules.
To begin with, always use the right protective gear. Make sure you wear a proper helmet to protect your head from fatal injuries. It is important since the bare rocks during the summertime can prove fatal if you fall on them. Also, wear elbow, ankle, and knee pads for maximum protection. Experts also suggest using leather gloves to protect your hand and fingers from accidental cuts.
Next, you should wear a good-quality athletic shoe pair. Many even prefer wearing snow boots, but they might feel heavier on the mountainboard. Plus, wear full sleeve shirts and pants to avoid cuts as you whistle past the rocks, gravels, and woods confidently.
Furthermore, check your board before you start the mountainboarding session. Check all the nuts and screws and tighten them if need be. Also, check the pneumatic tires and the bindings. And if you are a beginner, we recommend you start on a grassy slope and gradually increase your terrain difficulty for the safest and best mountainboarding experience.
Final Words
Mountainboarding is an amazing sports activity during the summer when all the snow is gone. The thrill to conquer the mountains, hills, or highlands with your favorite e-boards will truly make your weekends a little more fun and enjoyable. Nonetheless, ensure that you follow the proper safety guides for mountainboarding to avoid any injuries.