Mountain boarding
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Mountainboard.jpg
A mountain board is a similar to an oversized skateboard. The size of the deck is shorter than the average size of a snowboard, approximately 120 cm in length with either three or four wheels. The wheels consist of small plastic hubs with tyres of between 8" and 12" diameter. The wheel size varies depending on which type of riding is done. For example, an 8" wheel would be for freestyle riding and jumping. The larger wheel is used by the downhill rider. Like a snowboard (and unlike a skateboard) the feet of the rider are attached to the board deck with bindings, however boots are not required. Most mountain boards these days also have 'channel trucks' which are like skateboard trucks but are spring-loaded like suspension on a car.
The two main styles of riding are downhill (either racing or freeride) and freestyle. Freeride is done on a variety of terrain, from ski resorts, when the snow has melted away, to downhill mountain bike courses, to woodlands and forests. More and more dedicated centres are being opened around the world specifically for the sport of mountain boarding. Racing tends to be either of slalom, two riders weaving between poles, or boarder cross, a category of racing that is similar to BMX courses, with berms and jumps. To see some mountain boarders in action, check out the gallery at KentATB (http://www.kentatb.co.uk).
Freestyle riding consists of ramp jumping; performing tricks which can be rotations (180, 360 and more degree turns), inverted tricks (back flips, front flips), and board grabs.