Sandboarding is an adventure sport that basically consists of descending sand dunes or mountains on a specially designed board. It is classified as an extreme sport due to the levels of adrenaline reached by those who practice it.
This sport looks for the best dune, the steepest, longest, and with the finest sand. The best places to slide are found in Brazil, Australia, Peru, South Africa, Chile, and Namibia.
Here are some tips for you to practice Sandboarding like the best.
1. Get a Sandboarding board and protection.
The board has a specially waxed base and bindings where you can secure your feet to avoid losing it when sliding down the hill. Boards come in a variety of designs and waxes with the aim of increasing speed. Whatever board you choose, it should reach up to chin height.
6. Repeat the previous exercise, but this time working with your toes instead of your heels.
7. Keep descending the hill, improving your technique in different areas.
8. Practice until you master your technique.
Then, if you have practiced enough, move on to a larger dune. Try to master steeper hills gradually until you feel completely stable on the board.
9. Go for more and learn sandboarding tricks.
As you improve your balance, descent, and board control, start learning tricks. There are different tricks seen in professional level competitions.
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- Safety first. You should get a safety helmet, knee pads, and elbow pads to cushion falls. If you fall, the sand is quite soft and flexible, although speed can make a difference in how you fall.
- Get some wax to apply to the board.
- Regarding light clothing, we recommend: Shorts, sneakers, a cap, and a t-shirt.
- You can rent a board before buying one. This way, if you don't like it, you won't have spent much money.
- There are many free places to practice sandboarding in Peru.
- Do not skate on dunes where grass grows because the board will damage the roots. Choose hills that only have sand.
- First, strap one foot and use the other to push off. Try it on flat ground and very small sand mounds.
- Second, strap both feet. Have someone push you slowly along almost flat ground. This will help you get familiar with the sand.
- Dry sand-covered dunes are the best for sliding. Wet sand will stick to the board, causing it to stop or slow down.
- If you start losing stability, try sitting down.
- Strap both feet tightly and go down the dune on your heels.
- Practice this by lifting your toes. Do not lift them too much or you will fall.
- Now, raise your heels so you can go down the hill. If you gain too much speed and want to stop, lift your toes again.
6. Repeat the previous exercise, but this time working with your toes instead of your heels.
- After strapping your feet securely, turn around and put pressure on your toes to stabilize yourself at the top of the hill. Remember not to exert too much pressure or you will fall.
- Release the pressure from your toes to start descending the hill. If you start going down too fast, put pressure on your toes and stop.
7. Keep descending the hill, improving your technique in different areas.
- Climb back to the top. Now descend again on your heels. Put pressure on your right foot so you can snake to the right side of the hill. Then, put pressure on your left foot so you can snake to the left side of the hill.
- Try the previous step again, but put more pressure on your right foot so your board points directly down the hill. Then start putting pressure on your toes. You should now be on your toes heading to the left side of the hill.
- If you want to go back to your heels, put pressure on your front foot until the board is pointing directly towards the base of the dune.
8. Practice until you master your technique.
Then, if you have practiced enough, move on to a larger dune. Try to master steeper hills gradually until you feel completely stable on the board.
9. Go for more and learn sandboarding tricks.
As you improve your balance, descent, and board control, start learning tricks. There are different tricks seen in professional level competitions.
- Master the technique and movements of the tricks you would perform on a snowboarding board. Classics include 360°, 720°, Backflip, rodeos, and switch blind 180°.
See also:
Join Deaventura.pe/Sandboard and share your experience.
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DeAventura Team
