Let Loose Snowboard Style With Freeboard Skateboard

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Want to snowboard all year? Meet the freeboard skateboard! Invented for off-season practice, it lets you carve pavement like powder. Find more!

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Imagine craving the thrill of snowboarding, but it is summer. No snow, no slopes, just pavement. Steen Strand, a snowboarder himself, felt this exact frustration. So, in 1996, he invented something pretty cool: the freeboard skateboard. This isn't your average skateboard. It's a special board designed to feel like you are carving down a snowy mountain, right on the street.Freeboard skateboards are different. They have extra wheels that let you slide sideways, just like on a snowboard. This clever design lets snowboarders practice when there's no snow around. But it also opened up a whole new way to skateboard for everyone. Are you curious to know how this six-wheeled wonder works and why it's not just another skateboard fad? Keep reading to find out what makes the freeboard skateboard a unique ride.

Key Feature

Description

Benefit

Six-Wheel Design

Four corner wheels like a regular skateboard, plus two freely rotating center wheels.

Allows for sideways sliding and carving, mimicking snowboarding.

Snowboard Bindings (Optional)

Some freeboards include bindings similar to snowboard bindings.

Provides enhanced control and foot security, especially for downhill riding.

Bamboo or Maple Decks

Decks are typically made from flexible yet durable materials.

Offers a responsive and smooth riding experience.

Freeride/Downhill Style

Focuses on carving and sliding at higher speeds, often with larger boards.

Provides a snowboarding-like experience on pavement, emphasizing speed and control.

Freestyle Style

Involves performing tricks similar to skateboarding, often with smaller boards.

Blends snowboarding and skateboarding tricks, offering a unique freestyle discipline.

Year-Round Snowboard Practice

Allows snowboarders to practice carving and sliding techniques in the off-season.

Maintains and improves snowboarding skills regardless of snow availability.

What is a Freeboard Skateboard and Its Origins?

What Is A Freeboard Skateboard And Its Origins

What Is A Freeboard Skateboard And Its Origins

What's the Deal with Freeboards?

so you know skateboards, right? Four wheels, you push, you roll. Easy peasy. But have you ever seen a skateboard with six wheels? That's where the comes in. It looks a bit like a regular skateboard had a couple of extra wheels pop out in the middle, doesn't it? These aren't just any extra wheels though. They're special. Imagine your regular skateboard wheels are like train wheels, stuck going forward and backward. Now, think about these middle wheels like tiny turntables. They spin around freely, letting the board slide sideways. This is the secret sauce that makes a freeboard feel totally different. It's designed to let you carve and slide, just like you would if you were doing a snowboard slide down a mountain of snow, but on regular ground. Pretty neat, huh?

From Snow to Street: The Freeboard Story

So, who came up with this crazy idea? Well, back in 1996, a snowboarder named Steen Strand was missing the slopes during summertime. He probably thought, "Ugh, skateboarding is okay, but it's not the same as carving in powder!" See, regular skateboards are cool, but they don't really let you move like you do on a snowboard. You can't really dig into an edge and glide sideways like when you snowboard carve. Steen wanted to fix that. He wanted a way to practice those snowboarding moves even when there was no snow around. So, like any good inventor, he tinkered around and came up with the freeboard. It was his way to bridge the gap between winter fun and summer pavement. Think of it as a snowboarder's secret weapon for when the snow melts.

Freebord Brand and Beyond

Steen wasn't just happy making one for himself. He thought this was so cool, other people would want to try it too! So, in the late 90s, he started a company called "Freebord." Yep, that's the same name as the board itself. They're still a big name in the freeboard world today. But, just like with skateboards or snowboards, other companies have jumped in too, making their own versions. So, while "Freebord" is like the OG brand, you can find freeboards from different makers now. It’s like how Kleenex is a brand of tissue, but we call all tissues Kleenex sometimes, you know? The train like a snowboarder idea really took off, and now freeboarding is its own thing, with people riding them just for the fun of it, even if they've never strapped into a snowboard in their life!

The Unique Design of Freeboard Skateboards: Mimicking Snowboarding on Pavement

Six Wheels: Not a Mistake!

so let's talk about what makes a look like it rolled out of a sci-fi movie – those six wheels! I know, I know, it sounds like overkill, right? Like someone just got carried away at the wheel factory. But trust me, it's not a mistake. Those extra two wheels in the middle are the whole point. Think of a regular skateboard like a train on tracks. It goes forward and backward, pretty straightforward. But a freeboard? It's trying to be more like a snowboard on pavement. And snowboards? They slide sideways. That's where those middle wheels come in. They’re loosey-goosey, they spin any which way, letting the board slide from side to side. It’s kind of like having tiny ice skates right in the center of your skateboard. Want to learn ? Freeboard is your summer buddy.

Edge Wheels and Center Wheels Working Together

Now, here's the cool part. It's not just about having six wheels, it’s about how they all work together. The four wheels on the corners of a freeboard? Those are your regular skateboard wheels. When you lean to turn on a normal skateboard, you're tilting those wheels, right? Same deal with a freeboard. When you want to carve – like doing a on snow – you lean onto the edge of the freeboard. This pushes those corner wheels down, and they grip the ground, letting you turn and steer. But those center wheels? They're still there, ready to let you slide if you want to. It's like having two sets of tools in one. You can ride it like a normal skateboard if you want, just rolling straight. But when you lean and put pressure on those edges, BAM! You're carving and sliding, feeling that snowboard vibe, even on boring old asphalt. It’s a pretty clever trick, if you ask me.

Wheel Type

Location

Function

Corner Wheels

Outer edges of the board

Provide grip for turning and normal skateboard-like rolling

Center Wheels

Middle of the board

Enable sideways sliding and snowboard-like carving

Exploring Freeboard Skateboard Riding Styles and Community

Exploring Freeboard Skateboard Riding Styles And Community

Exploring Freeboard Skateboard Riding Styles And Community

so you've got the hang of what a freeboard is and how it's built to feel like snowboarding. But what do people actually do on these things? Well, just like there are different ways to snowboard, there are different ways to ride a . Think of it like choosing your own experience, but on six wheels. Some people are all about going fast and carving smooth lines, which we call "freeride" or "downhill." Imagine you're a race car driver, but instead of a car, you're on a freeboard, and the road is your racetrack. These riders often use bigger boards because it's like having a longer snowboard – it feels more stable when you're zooming down hills. They're all about that feeling of gliding and , just like on a mountain, but without the snow or the ski lift lines! It’s like surfing, but on land, and you're carving through the pavement waves.

The End of the Ride: Freeboard Skateboards and Beyond

The freeboard skateboard is more than just a quirky invention. It's a bridge between snowboarding and skateboarding. It offers snowboarders a way to keep their skills sharp when winter is a distant memory. For skateboarders, it presents a fresh challenge and a different style of riding. From its humble beginnings as an off-season training tool, the freeboard has carved out its own niche in the action sports world. Whether you're a seasoned snowboarder or a skateboarder looking for something new, the freeboard skateboard offers a unique ride that might just surprise you. So, maybe it's time to ditch the regular four wheels and try something a little more… sideways.