What is downhill Skateboarding?
Downhill Skateboarding is a young and exciting sport. On the surface, it is rather elementary, though once you delve into the details, it is full of physics, strategy, specific technique, and creativity.
Downhill Skateboarding has two subdisciplines, Downhill (racing), and Freeride. Freeriding is skateboarding downhill without restriction. Its primary focus is having fun and being stylish. Style in terms of downhill skating is doing stand up slides and looking comfortable while doing them. While standup slides are often done at slower speeds, some riders are pushing the limits and using standups within racing. While not the competitive branch of the sport, freeride “competitions” can be seen at slide jams with longest slide, best trick, or most steze being judged by a panel of judges. Additionally, the rise of “no paw down” races like the one featured at KNK Longboard Camp or the outlaw held during Kozakov Challenge 2019 are races where only stand up slides are allowed. These races are pushing the practice of standup slides.
The other discipline is downhill, or downhill racing. Downhill involves using refined techniques to get down a road or track as quickly and consistently as possible. Employing glove down or stand up slides, tucking, drafting, and all other available techniques. When you start looking at the details of racing, you will soon realize it is much more intricate than it seems at first glance.
Downhill Skateboarding Dictionary
Downhill: Using refined techniques to get down a road or track as quickly and consistently as possible.
Freeride: skateboarding downhill without restriction, using whichever slides the rider feels like throwing and emphasizing style over speed.
Standup slide: Sliding the skateboard without the use of gloves. A show of technique considering the leverage on the wheels is much less advantageous.
Glove downslide: Using a technique with a slide glove to slide the skateboard. A more consistent and safe technique considering the slide glove takes weight off the wheel and adds a point of contact, increasing the stability of the slide.
Speed Check: A small slide done before a corner or on a straight to manage speed.
Pre Drift: A slide done before a corner to reduce speed and direct the skater into the corner.
Combo Break: A slide done in the opposite direction of an oncoming corner in order to manage speed.
Pendulum or Pendy: A slide where midway through, the board passes 90 degrees, making the wheels spin backward and reducing speed at a rapid pace. The quickest way to stop and the first slide one should add to their arsenal.
Foot Brake: Taking one foot off the board and dragging it on the road in order to cause friction and quickly slow down. The easiest speed management technique at lower speeds.
Toeside: A slide where the rider’s toes are pointed up the hill during the slide.
Airplane: A toeside form where the rider is not grabbing rail. Increasing the flexibility of the slide and control of the angle.
Grab Rail: A toeside form where the rider is grabbing the rail. Increasing comfort and control of the initiation of the slide. In some instances can increase braking power due to inability to put too much weight on the puck.
Heelside (Coleman Slide): A slide where the riders toes are pointed down the hill during the slide.
Squatty: A slide where the rider is squatted down resembling a Coleman slide but the gloves are not used.
Roman Candle: A form of a stand up toeside where the rider is grabbing the heelside rail, resembling a grab rail toeside.
Tuck: The aerodynamic position skaters use to increase speed in straight lines.
Tucklean: Tucking while turning. Employed in racing to gain an advantage through a grip corner.
Draft (Slipstream): Following the front rider closely in order to gain speed.
Slide Glove: The gloves used by downhill skaters for safety and glove down slides.
Puck: The hard material on a slide puck allowing the hand to glide over the pavement. Traditionally a hard plastic or composite secured to the glove by velcro to allow it to be replaced.
Leathers: A leather suit resembling that of a motorcycle suit adapted to downhill skateboard racing. Used for safety but also aerodynamic advantages.
Aerolid: A full face helmet with aerodynamic fairings in order to reduce aerodynamic drag.
Draft bait: The first rider in a long straight that will eventually get passed due to the aerodynamic advantage the trail riders experience. Usually used in racing situations.
Sandbagging: Intentionally pushing or positioning yourself further back in a heat to benefit from the draft and eventually pass the leading riders.