There’s so few top-level competitors, but they are incredibly good," says Stephenson.
"What is Street Luge?" Welcome to street luge.With the downhill skate scene getting bigger and bigger, , current street luge world number three, explains what the sport’s all about – and how to get involved...Essentially a cross between longboarding and winter luge, street lugers use customised sleds with longboard-style wheels to race each other on downhill courses. 24:46. A wheel falling off the board or a broken axle can quickly ruin your ride. The X Games has become more stadium-based for commercial reasons. "We use the same trucks and wheels as downhill skateboards, but we have a longer wheelbase and low ground clearance to help with stability," says Stephenson.The boards themselves weigh around 14kg and are built ‘dropped’, which means the board’s deck is almost as low to the ground as the wheels.
On September 10, 2016, Mike McIntyre went 164.12 km/h (101.98 mph) at l'Ultime Descente. In 1975, the first professional race was held at Signal Hill, California, and hosted by the U.S. Skateboard Association. Top scorers are marked for their best five international events each year, which determines the winner of the overall season. 1:13. Other than the supine riding position and very high speeds (70–102 mph / 112–164 km/h), street luge has little relation to its winter namesake (Roger Hickey and Don Baumea from the Signal Hill races kept the sport alive by continuing to hold races in Southern California. Street lugers ride boards in the supine position. 2002. "Street Luge: How to Get Started." The design of these boards is based on the rules set forth from different governing bodies.Current street luge boards are made from many materials including An offshoot of street luge is classic luge. Maximum wheels diameter may also be restricted depending on the sanctioning body and race organizer. By learning from more experienced riders, you'll get a more realistic view of the dangers involved in street luge and also learn how to minimize your risk.Choose safe riding routes. That’s fast. Capstone Press, 1997. You'll be surprised just how fast your ride will feel on a street luge sled, even at a relatively low speed.Consider taking classes. "I had a big crash in Australia in 2008, and I had to have surgery on my arm. This early form of the sport is now referred to as "laydown skateboarding". You lie down a sled and roll down a hill, hopefully faster than any other competitor while not dying.Normally, luge sleds are powered just by gravity. Chronicle Books, 2005.International Gravity Sports Association. Buttboarding.com. Wear proper safety gear. "I had a big crash in Australia in 2008, and I had to have surgery on my arm. PINHEIRO DA BEMPOSTA, PORTUGAL - AUGUST 10, 2014: Rui Teixeira during the 2nd Newton's Force Festival 2014. damaged Sarajevo Olympic Bobsleigh and Luge Track located on Trebevic mountain, built for the 1984 Winter Olympics.
"I’ve done my years of racing!
But imagine for a moment that you’re not in a car, but on a skateboard – flat on your back – mere centimetres from the road, twisting your body to bank towards a sharp corner. Here's how to get involved with one of the fastest gravity-powered sports on the planet.To prevent fatal injuries, street luging requires a specialist environmentThe Downhill Longboard World Cup: where the track is uneven and the paramedics are on standby.The Downhill Longboard World Cup: where the track is uneven and the paramedics are on standby.Will Stephenson aims to train 50 street lugers in the next two yearsDon’t mistake it for a boneless, it is called 'Fastplant'.Don’t mistake it for a boneless, it is called 'Fastplant'.One hundred miles per hour. Classic Luge boards are typically made from wood, are limited to maximum dimensions of 49 inches by 12 inches (124 cm by 30 cm) and may only have four wheels. Keep your gear well maintained, and invest in high-quality equipment to help lower your risk of accidents and injuries [source: Borgenicht, David and Joshua Piven. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. "Street Luge." Keep your gear well maintained, and invest in high-quality equipment to help lower your risk of accidents and injuries [source: Borgenicht, David and Joshua Piven. START 1000th AND FINISH 1st! See more ideas about Luge, Racing, Street. Report: Woman dies in street luge crash. In a street luge competition, the only thing between your body and the road is the board. Julian M Slaney 38,921 views. Chronicle Books, 2005.International Gravity Sports Association. With more regulations and limits to construction and equipment it was designed to be a simpler, low cost class as compared to street luge. foxsports Dec 16, 2011 at 12:00a ET . "A lot of people don’t expect us to achieve the speeds we do, without engines, without power sources," says Stephenson. In a street luge competition, the only thing between your body and the road is the board. "Street luge crashes are rare, but when they do happen, they’re quite catastrophic," admits Stephenson. Some of the most common causes of wipeouts for street lugers are equipment failures. "Stephenson trains on Ride the Dragon, a downhill rally track in Ceredigion country, Mid Wales, while other riders compete on in Wiltshire. Don't add traffic or obstacle-filled routes into the mix, too.Maintain your equipment. Street luge is a lot like the winter sport of luge.