Caster board

A wave board is a skateboard -like device Funsport, to some extent, the driving behavior of a snowboard or a surfboard can be mimicked on tarmac with. In English-speaking these boards Casterboard or Caster board are called (from English caster or castor, castor wheel ' and board, board' ). In Germany, however, the product wave board ( " wave board " ) has prevailed. Wave boards are single-track and use two approximately 77 mm wide rubber rollers, similar to those for inline skates. In contrast to this, the roles of wave boards are softer to meet the special requirements on the grip.

Development

The first wave board was developed by a Korean designer and sold there under the name Casterboard from 2003. In 2004, then these boards came on the U.S. market and were first introduced in Germany at the ispo winter 2007 in Munich under the name wave board. Since then, the wave board is growing in popularity and is now offered by many manufacturers and importers in different qualities, techniques, and price ranges.

Two world-renowned brands are The Wave and RipStik. Both devices have emerged from the same patent. They differ in some details such as the width of the foot plates, length and design of the torsion bar and the execution of the roles and the angle of inclination of their axes of rotation. Followers of the respective boards to talk to a performance better, the other higher trick potential.

Construction

Instead of a continuous deck ( as of skateboards available) two base plates made ​​of plastic are used, which are connected by a short torsion bar, which allows a slight counter-rotation of the foot plates to the longitudinal axis. Under each foot plate with one roller attached that are free or limited pivoting depending on the model.

When wave board of the company Street Surfing both roles are rotated 360 °, their pivot axes are inclined by about 30 ° from the vertical. Is added so that the rollers have a preferred orientation, so that the board is given a unique front and rear sides. This is available in different designs, with replacement of the deck plates also. The board has a length of about 85 cm with a weight of 4.5 kg. In recent years, Street Surfing has its product range continued to expand.

The RipStik Razor Company differs mainly in the form and Caster System of The Wave. The Ripstik Classic is mainly popular in countries outside Europe. With the RipStik Air Razor is also in Europe the breakthrough. In this model, the torsion bar is omitted, the cover plate and cast in one piece. The wheels at the RipStik Air are in contrast to The Wave feathered and not rotated 360 °, but only by 90 °. Thus, the RipStik Air is easier to ride and suitable for inexperienced drivers.

Besides the above mentioned world famous brands, there are of course many more models from different manufacturers and importers. The example currently available only in the U.S. Timberwolf Convert differs from the other models, especially by the caster system. The rollers are freely pivotable and tiltable, making the board can go in both directions. Further, the boards are made of maple wood. Also, there are now even "shared " wave boards that can be run as a normal wave board.

Wave Scooter are a combination of scooter and wave board and should by the extra grip on the handlebars allow other acrobatic tricks. However, this system only a weak compromise between these two sports equipment dar. Say, you can ride a wave scooter neither good nor wave board scooter. Again, there are again different techniques and still more numerous manufacturers.

Driving

As a result of the roll structure, the wave board is in front, sideways and diagonally, but not backward traversable. An exception is the Timberwolf. The Einspurigkeit allows fast straight ahead, wide arches and narrow pans, for example, when braking. Also cant drift or gyroscopes is possible. It is also suitable for the Halfpipe and many skateboard tricks. Get to swing on a flat surface is not pushing up from the soil necessary, but appropriate leg and hip movements produce a self- acceleration of the board. So slopes can even be managed.

In contrast to the similar construction variants freeboard or Snakeboard no bonds are present, so that an unimpeded jumping is possible. The Wave runs away then to not downhill, but immediately flips to the side and comes after at most recently, slides to a stop.

Wave riding as school sport

In Germany, awareness of the wave boards has increased mainly by wave board - school programs, which was conducted by various institutions and still is. In general, the wave board the pupils in a kind of workshop will be presented in physical education by specially trained teachers. Here, the main handling and dealing with the wave boards is learned. In addition, the school program supports educationally important values ​​and allows the playful promotion of balance. The supporting muscles are strengthened unconsciously.

Also, in many schools the Swiss wave boarding of sports professionals is promoted as school and leisure time activity with enthusiasm. The school sports program under the name "Surf at School " offers learning the material handling and dealing with the wave boards. Like many other sports equipment, also the wave board can be dangerous, which during the "Surf -At- School " - to be launched awareness lessons.