Carveboarding
Encyclopedia
Carveboarding is a boardsport on hard surfaces (roads, sidewalks, etc.).
Carveboard is also the brand name of the board which popularised the practice of this sport.
The board was invented by californian surfers (Joe Gerlach and Brad Gerlach) to practice there moves during flat sea days. The result is a board that, although it shares with the skateboard
playground and inspiration, offers very different sensations. And although by its anatomy (a board, 2 trucks, 4-wheel) the carveboard looks just like its cousins skateboards, the handling and feel are ultimately much closer to those of surfing
.
The practice reminds of, better known, longboarding
. However, it emphasizes the work of the turn for which it provides all the fantasies in variations of the curve. Some models are equipped with tires, so use on rougher surfaces (bad asphalt, paving, earth, etc.) is also possible.
by small hinges that allow to tilt the board relative to the horizontal. Thus the board can tilt up to about 45 °, much more than using conventional skateboard trucks. This allows a much more aggressive turn attack, limiting at the maximum the speed loss in each curve (carving).
The possibility of instantaneous change of edge (Rail To Rail), allows to gain speed by flexion-extension as found in "shortboard" surfing. This is the "pumping" effect that allows feelings on flat, or mellow slopes, and possible at low speeds.
. These are also found in some practices of snowboarding
( (which is no surprise given the history of the latter). That is why today carveboards are sold on the quality of their emulation of surfing and snowboarding. But let there be no mistake, if these qualities are real, they are not necessarily noticeable to all, because they only relate to the carving practices of alpine and freeride snowboards. Moreover, unlike the freebord
and T-board
, which have been specifically developed to emulate snowboarding, carveboard was developed by surfers for surfers. To put an end to sterile debates that inevitably arise around these competitive new boardsports offers, let's just remember that in essence emulating surfing or snowboarding on hard surface will always be imperfect. We can thus assume that over time, like skateboarding, these sports will transcend their origins and establish themselves as separate sports and not more or less successful emulations.
. This can be explained by the fact that the latter was created in conjunction with skateboarding
(in the 1970s), and has had time to develop. Also, the price of innovative board designs such as the carveboard remains high due to lack of competition in particular (only a very limited number of manufacturers have the patent), limiting its adoption by the masses.
Carveboard is also the brand name of the board which popularised the practice of this sport.
The board was invented by californian surfers (Joe Gerlach and Brad Gerlach) to practice there moves during flat sea days. The result is a board that, although it shares with the skateboard
Skateboard
A skateboard is typically a specially designed plywood board combined with a polyurethane coating used for making smoother slides and stronger durability, used primarily for the activity of skateboarding. The first skateboards to reach public notice came out of the surfing craze of the early 1960s,...
playground and inspiration, offers very different sensations. And although by its anatomy (a board, 2 trucks, 4-wheel) the carveboard looks just like its cousins skateboards, the handling and feel are ultimately much closer to those of surfing
Surfing
Surfing' is a surface water sport in which the surfer rides a surfboard on the crest and face of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore...
.
The practice reminds of, better known, longboarding
Longboarding
Longboarding is the act of riding on a longboard.Longboarding is an offshoot of street skating, but, like all board sports, its roots lie in surfing. Developed as a single sport on the west coast in the 1950s, by the 1990s, Longboards and Skateboards branched off into their respective disciplines...
. However, it emphasizes the work of the turn for which it provides all the fantasies in variations of the curve. Some models are equipped with tires, so use on rougher surfaces (bad asphalt, paving, earth, etc.) is also possible.
Anatomy
The board itself has the distinction of being connected to the trucksTruck
A truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed to transport cargo. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, with the smallest being mechanically similar to an automobile...
by small hinges that allow to tilt the board relative to the horizontal. Thus the board can tilt up to about 45 °, much more than using conventional skateboard trucks. This allows a much more aggressive turn attack, limiting at the maximum the speed loss in each curve (carving).
The possibility of instantaneous change of edge (Rail To Rail), allows to gain speed by flexion-extension as found in "shortboard" surfing. This is the "pumping" effect that allows feelings on flat, or mellow slopes, and possible at low speeds.
Emulation of other boardsports
Like skateboarding in its infancy, carveboarding seeks to give some specific sensations from surfingSurfing
Surfing' is a surface water sport in which the surfer rides a surfboard on the crest and face of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore...
. These are also found in some practices of snowboarding
Snowboarding
Snowboarding is a sport that involves descending a slope that is covered with snow on a snowboard attached to a rider's feet using a special boot set onto mounted binding. The development of snowboarding was inspired by skateboarding, sledding, surfing and skiing. It was developed in the U.S.A...
( (which is no surprise given the history of the latter). That is why today carveboards are sold on the quality of their emulation of surfing and snowboarding. But let there be no mistake, if these qualities are real, they are not necessarily noticeable to all, because they only relate to the carving practices of alpine and freeride snowboards. Moreover, unlike the freebord
Freebord
A freebord is a type of specialist skateboard designed to closely simulate the behavior of a snowboard. They have 6 wheels - two spring locked castor wheels on the central axis, and four slightly raised conventional wheels. The central wheels are able to turn freely in all directions, which allows...
and T-board
T-board
A T-board is a longboard skateboard with only two wheels, designed to mimic the sensation of carving on a snowboard. The design differs from a traditional skateboard in a way similar to how rollerblades differ from traditional roller skates. The two wheels simulate a carving edge on pavement...
, which have been specifically developed to emulate snowboarding, carveboard was developed by surfers for surfers. To put an end to sterile debates that inevitably arise around these competitive new boardsports offers, let's just remember that in essence emulating surfing or snowboarding on hard surface will always be imperfect. We can thus assume that over time, like skateboarding, these sports will transcend their origins and establish themselves as separate sports and not more or less successful emulations.
Popularity
Although this relatively innovative idea is fairly new, the popularity and practice of carveboarding remains limited compared to longboardingLongboarding
Longboarding is the act of riding on a longboard.Longboarding is an offshoot of street skating, but, like all board sports, its roots lie in surfing. Developed as a single sport on the west coast in the 1950s, by the 1990s, Longboards and Skateboards branched off into their respective disciplines...
. This can be explained by the fact that the latter was created in conjunction with skateboarding
Skateboarding
Skateboarding is an action sport which involves riding and performing tricks using a skateboard.Skateboarding can be a recreational activity, an art form, a job, or a method of transportation. Skateboarding has been shaped and influenced by many skateboarders throughout the years. A 2002 report...
(in the 1970s), and has had time to develop. Also, the price of innovative board designs such as the carveboard remains high due to lack of competition in particular (only a very limited number of manufacturers have the patent), limiting its adoption by the masses.
External links
- CarveUSA Original inventors, manufacturer and sellers of Carveboards
- DropBoards Creators and sellers of an alternative brand
- Carveboard.fr - Surfez le bitume / Surf the Asphalt ! Forum for everything carveboarding, mostly in French