How do you ride a snakeboard?

Answer 1

The snakeboard (now known as streetboard) works by what is called nonholonomic locomotion.

Basically, the board is self propelled...

The board is made up of two pivoting footplates, joined together by a central crossbar.

The snakeboarder / streetboarder stands with one foot on each footplate and using his/her upper body in conjunction with turning of the feet, uses their upper body weight to thrust the board forward in a series of semi-circles like a snake (hence the original name of 'snakeboarding').

Snakeboarders / streetboarders can ride around all day without ever taking their feet off the boards, and can even ride uphills just by using a bit of extra effort in their upper body.

The best way to understand it is to see it in action. Go to YouTube and do a search for "How To Ride A Streetboard" and you should find several videos which document it very well.

Just be careful of Ripstiks / Casterboards. These are NOT snakeboards (even though there are people advertising them as such) and they work differently. The principal is the same (nonholonomic locomotion), but the boards work differently.

Hope this answers your question!

Answer 2

The 'snakeboard' (also commonly known as a 'streetboard') is a very different and unique board on which the rider is able to gain speed from a standing start, turn sharp corners, ride up-hills, and perform all sorts of crazy tricks - Without ever taking his/her feet off of the board!

However, learning to ride a snakeboard in the first place is perhaps the hardest part of the sport! Once you've got the hang of it though, it's like riding a bike - You never forget, and it becomes natural.

1. Stand on the board with one foot on each foot-plate, your feet should be centred directly above the kingpins (It is up to you if you want to learn with or without bindings.)
2. Begin with both your toes pointed together(pigeon-toed) and your leading (left for regular, right for goofy) arm & shoulder also turned in.
   • The snakeboard is 'self-propelled' when you throw your upper-body weight in the direction which corresponds to where your feet are pointing at the time.
   • Throwing your leading arm & shoulder outwards as you turn both toes apart, and then throwing it back in as you turn both toes in. repeat. This should propell the board foward in "s" shaped turns.
3. Throw your leading arm & shoulder outwards, and just as your body weight catches up to you, turn both your toes apart to allow the board to travel forward from the body-weight on an outwards curve.
4. As soon as your leading arm reaches it's furthest point out, you swing it back in and turn your toes together to allow your body weight/momentum to continue pushing the board forward, but this time on an inwards curve.
5. It will take you a while to get the hang / coordination right - It's all about harnessing your upper body momentum and transferring it as efficiently s possible to the board, by turning the feet at the right times.

If this is a bit hard to understand, go to YouTube and search "Nick Robson - How to ride a Streetboard" - I have put together a very easy to understand, step-by-step demonstration on how to ride a snakeboard.

Answer 3

To ride a snakeboard, place your feet on the two separate decks and use your body to twist and turn in order to propel yourself forward. Practice keeping your balance and using your weight to control the direction of the board while moving. Start slowly and gradually build up speed as you become more comfortable with the motion.