How to Design the Skateboard of The Future

What if I told you that the Online Think Tank is looking for smart folks, engineers, designers and skateboarders to help us radically improve the skateboard of the future? A skateboard, which was fully integrated with the latest technologies and one which could fly; a hover board like in Back to the Future II. Well that is exactly what we plan to do and we are working on the beginning stages of the research report right now.

Yes let’s build a net-centric Skateboard with active RFID chips, it can dodge obstacles or incoming objects and also be fixed with the latest lidar, radar, stereo sonar and optical flow sensors. Let’s make all the components fully integrated with the skatepark and/or a Video Game, Virtual Reality C.A.V.E. or system or even a full on simulator.

We should make these tricky boards to the kids and let them have fun? Have them test them out and then make them even better. I think I really enjoyed the movie “Back to the Future” with Michael J. Fox and Biff and perhaps you did too. And the skateboards have been a fascination ever sense, of course all young boys of my age grew up with the first skateboards. Catamaran’ing down steep streets, doing switch back maneuvers and it was simply part of being growing up.

In the first committee meeting for the report our team identified several potential emerging technologies that should be integrated into the hoverboard;

1.) How about a set of tap push button controls to put up the landing gear, make it a hover board? 3 in the green and away they go hover board style?

2.) Voice Activated WiFi, iPod, VoIP, cell phone and IM. (already have surfboards with wifi, cell phones)

3.) Holographic Image display project in front of the board so the rider can match it while flying through the air to insure a perfect maneuver?

4.) All run by LED lights which are charging as each bump in the side walk jars tiny components, like a shake-able flash light.

5.) We can make the board invisible using MITs new light bending stuff? Change colors?

6.) Use Mind Control to send commands to the hoverboard via (individual mind-mapping fMRI sequence generator).

7.) The Hover Board/Skate Board/ Wave Rider could be used in any gravity displacement too. Earth, Mars, Moon. “The Lunar Board” or something? Matching agility to human ability, the next step in the evolution of fun!

8.) Interactive Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality living room video game with skateboard, no worries when weather is bad.

9.) Couple it with eLearning initiatives; make it fun to learn while riding a skateboard. Learn physics while skateboarding, it’s all physics anyway.

10.) Interactive skate parks and indoor recreational facilities of the future.

All this technology already exists NOW and it is only a matter of cost, weight and size. Remember Moore’s law for electronics. We are seeing this now with UAVs to MAVs to the size of insects. It is all doable only a matter of imagination and will, funding and ROI. Actually, it’s all almost here the way I see it. And so the journey begins; the skateboard of the future will fly, and it will fly like nothing else.

A Timeline of the Sport – History of Skateboarding

There are nearly one hundred different sports that are played around the world. Skateboarding is now considered as being one of the most popular sports of the 21st century. It starts around the year 1950. The history of skateboarding truly begins around the year 1950.

It was around this time that some surfers from sunny California decided to take the same idea as surfing only use it on the streets and this turned into the sport of skateboarding. Skateboards were originally made out of these wooden boxes which were connected to roller skate wheels. The first skateboards were actually made of wooden boxes and this was where the actual history of skateboarding began. Over a decade later in 1963, skateboarding really began to take off as people saw how fun it was and how challenging it could be.

Different contests and competitions began opening up around the world which was encouraging to those who were interested in the sport. Skaters really turned into their own little club and had a certain laid-back, easy going style. Although the sport did take a dive a few times and people weren’t sure if it had just been a fad that was gone for good, it came back full force in the 60s or the hippie era. Different skateboarding tricks were invented during these years, including the Ollie.

This trick was created by a man named Alan Gelfand who was an avid skater and known as Ollie. He created the trick by slamming onto the back end of the board while jumping up at the same time and having the board go with him. Today the Ollie is recognized as being one of the most basic and popular moves. From the year 2000 on skateboarding became known as a legit, respectable sport and is now included in contests and competitions all around the world.

People now truly realize just how much balance and skill it takes to be a talented skateboarder and admire those who skate. Today there are different competitions set up all around the world and it’s thought that skateboarding may even soon make it in as an Olympic sport. The history of skateboarding is certainly very interesting and will surely only become more over the years to come. Some even think that skateboarding may soon become recognized as an Olympic sport.

Some Important Facts About Skateboarding

Skateboarding has become very popular among people nowadays. Its popularity among people (mainly the teenagers) has outraced many other popular games. However, this game has not yet entered the international world of games. Skateboarding is mainly practiced in United States now; but it is presumed that it will enter the international market very soon. Several institutions and parks have grown up, where skateboarding is practiced at a large extent. Thousands of teenagers participate in this game, and many of them have even gained lot of popularity among the skateboarders. Different people take skateboarding in different ways, some take it as a game, some take it as their business, some as their profession and some play it for staying healthy. Whatever be the reason for your playing, you must know something before attempting it.

Skateboarding is subdivided into few types depending on the type of boards used. The normal skateboards, longboards, almost skateboards, baker skateboards etc are used for playing different types of skateboarding and all of them are popular among the skateboarders. Skateboarding involves lot of risk with it, it should be attempted very carefully, otherwise you can hurt yourself severely and end up in any hospital. The four most important factors for skateboarding are the skateboards, its accessories, the safety tools and the maintenance kits. Without these it is impossible play a good game.

Skateboards are available in the online stores and the other stores; you have to buy it part by part separately. A skateboard consists of 3 parts, the skateboard deck, the skateboard truck and the skate wheels. The deck is the upper part of a board on which people stand while playing. This part must be very strong, as a weak board may get broken being unable to carry the skateboarder’s weight. Next is the skateboard truck; this part acts as a joining between skateboard deck and the wheels. Two trucks are needed in the skateboards; one at the front and another at the rear. The trucks must be strong as well as flexible. The last part is the wheels of the skateboard. All three are very important for experiencing a smooth and safe game. You can get these parts in any online store or in the departmental stores.

Accessories of skateboards consist of the clothing and shoes that are made especially for skateboarders. The funky looking cloths are the specialty of skateboarding; even the shoes are specially made for skateboarding.

The next most important thing is the safety tools required during skateboarding. As discussed earlier, skateboarding involves lot of risk. So, these safety tools are very important. The safety tools involve elbow guards, helmet, knee caps etc. Without having these safety tools no one should attempt skateboarding.

Another most important thing is the maintenance of the skateboard. A person cannot get optimum performance if the skateboard is not maintained properly. For this, people can buy the skateboard maintenance kits from the stores. The maintenance kit consists of skateboard rails, bearing lube, skate wax etc. All the above four facts must be kept in mind before attempting to play this game of skateboarding.

Skateboard Safety Tips

Skatboarding is a thrilling sport which is enjoyed not only by youngsters but by people of all age groups. Skateboarding should not be taken lightly and you should always wear proper attire and protective gear as negligence might lead to serious injuries and accidents. A great deal of care needs to be taken while participating in this fast paced sport whether you are practicing alone or with your friends. Falling on a hard surface without safety gear can lead to fractures, sprains, abrasions, etc. Sometimes in extreme cases the injuries might prove to be fatal for the skater. By following the safety tips listed below, you can enjoy skateboarding with minimal injuries:

o Wearing safety gear: A protective gear comprises of skateboarding helmet, skateboarding gloves, pads, ankle braces and well fitted skateboard apparel. It is advised to wear a proper safety gear before you go out for skateboarding because it protects you from minor injuries caused by falling.

o Examining the place: Knowing the place where you plan to skateboard helps. Skateboarding in a skateboard park is safer than skating in the streets. Examining the place before skateboarding is also essential. Ensure that the surface is smooth, free from holes, bumps, rocks and materials like iron nails or glass as it might lead to a serious injury.

o Appropriate time to go skateboarding: Do take care that you always go for skateboarding during daytime because doing it in dark or poorly lit surroundings increases the risk of falls and injuries due to poor vision. Also, avoid going out skateboarding in extremely hot or cold weather conditions because you might get a heat stroke or frost bite. Remember to keep hydrated by drinking water at regular intervals while skateboarding in hot weather. Water not only prevents dehydration and muscle cramps, you also perform better when you are hydrated.

o Proper training: You need to practice regularly and undergo proper training to become a good skateboarder. It is essential that beginners know their limitations and do not try to imitate the expert skateboarders as it might lead to serious injuries. Learning the basics is essential to perform difficult skateboarding tricks. Not only do you need to learn to how to skate properly, it is also essential to know how to protect yourself in case of fall. You can start learning from a qualified instructor to make sure that your fundamentals are strong.

Gathering Information Before Attempting Skateboarding

Skateboarding is one of the newest and most popular games of the modern time. The introduction of skateboarding as a game was done just few decades back. And within such a small period of time it has emerged to be one of most popular game of the sports world. This has occurred mainly because of the thrilling and adventurous quality of the game. However, skateboarding is difficult if we see it from any angle. Firstly, it needs a lot of practice and physical fitness, secondly it is very expensive. Because of these two factors, only the young people can attempt and participate in this game of skateboarding. Most American teenagers are madly drawn towards skateboarding and slowly this game is spreading all over the world.

As told earlier, skateboarding is a very expensive sport. The materials required for skateboarding costs too much and many common people cannot afford it. The skateboards are available in the market at a huge extent and they sold part by part. A skateboard consists of three main parts, the skateboards decks, skateboard truck and the wheels. Each of these parts has an important and unique role in skateboarding. If you are interested in skateboarding and want to join the skateboarding world, then you must know several things about the game and the skateboards. The main material needed for skateboarding is the skateboard itself. While buying the parts of skateboards, always try to go for the parts provided by the world class manufacturers. The parts may cost a lot, but when you buy skateboards from them, you will get the guarantee of safety and good performance.

The skateboard deck is the first most important part of a skateboard, look for the skateboards which have the best balance and grip. If the balance of the skateboard is not proper, you cannot surf properly and even crash. The boards with good grips helps to remain attached with the board. There are chances to fall if you buy a board which does not have a good grip. Next is the truck of the skateboard, this helps to connect between the deck and the wheels. This part has to bear the total weight of the skateboarder, so it has to be very strong and also flexible. The last and most part of the skateboard is the skate wheel. A good wheel will help to get maximum speed and a smooth ride.

The best way to know about the skateboards and also skateboarding is to consult with an expert professional skateboarder or study the magazines related to skateboarding. The professional skateboarders can provide you with the best information about the game and also about the parts of the skateboards. You can also get important suggestions from them about the stores from where you should buy the skateboard parts and also what type of parts to use. Do not attempt this game without proper information and training. Skateboarding requires immense physical fitness and training and you must get all sorts of training from any expert or from any institution before attempting this game.

The Art of Buying Skateboard Trucks

To an amateur, skateboard trucks likely don’t seem like a major part of their overall board. They’re the axle that attach your wheels to the part that you stand on, that’s also called the deck. However, they also pay a big role in the ease of steering your skateboard, or the way that you perform tricks. Read on to discover some things that you should keep in mind as you shop.

Bushings Give a Cushioned Ride

The size of your skateboard trucks should match up with the size of your skateboard’s deck. If you need help getting the proper size, many truck manufacturers have a chart that you can refer to after measuring your deck. Generally, experts say that the size of your trucks should be equal to a quarter of the overall size of your board.

Beyond the size of the trucks themselves, there’s a small interior part of the truck that influences the comfort of your ride. They’re called bushings, and have a circular shape. Since they cushion the skateboard trucks during a turn, they’re of particular concern to newer riders, who often might struggle to achieve smooth and balanced turns.

If you’re new to the sport of skateboarding, try stiff trucks at first, because these offer the greatest stability. As you ride, they’ll break in over time, so that before long, you’ll feel confident when turning your board. Keep in mind that the softer the bushings are, the more control that’s required to keep your board steady. For that reason, soft bushings are usually not the best choice if you plan to do a lot of tricks.

Select the Proper Height

The height of your skateboard trucks is also important, because this feature is related to the overall diameter of your wheels. If you have lower trucks, you’ll enjoy improved stability, especially when you’re doing tricks, but you’ll also need to have smaller wheels. High trucks are a good choice if you’d prefer larger wheels. These are good for building up speed and maintaining it, such as if you’re using your skateboard to travel smoothly over long distances.

Coloured Skateboard Trucks

Some trucks come in colours that bring an extra bit of style to your board. Don’t become too concerned with this factor, since the trucks aren’t visible as you ride. However, if you’re the type of person who wants every area of their skateboard to reflect their personality, find trucks that blend with the overall colour scheme. You’ll find hues of red, black, blue and many more.

Always inspect your skateboard trucks regularly so that you can quickly spot if something needs to be replaced. Once you replace a few, you’ll feel confident about doing regular maintenance on your board as needed. Although trucks seem like a minor part of your skateboard as a whole, as you’ve now learned, they make a difference in the enjoyment of your ride, particularly if you focus on a particular riding style.

Finding Skateboard Wheels – The Ultimate Skateboard Wheels Guide

Skateboard wheels are very important for support, agile movement, and the ultimate riding experience. Here’s a guide to help you pick the right wheels.

What re they?

Small yet rigid, skateboard wheels range in sizes of 48 for up to 100 millimeters. They have varying ranges of hardness and these hardness levels determine riding smoothness or rigidness of the board.

Kinds

There are currently four kinds of skateboard wheels available. These are:

Street skateboard wheels – These are the smallest type, which measure anywhere from 48 to 55 millimeters. These are hard, so you can increase your speed. They are good for performing skateboarding tricks like flips and other aerial stunts.

Vert skateboard wheels – These are designed specifically for vert skating or skating that involves landing and jumping on ramps. These wheels have sizes that range from 55 to 65 millimeters, allowing skaters go fast and go on long distances.

Slalom skateboard wheels – These are used mainly for slalom racing and skating, where the skater does all sorts of stunts in an obstacle-type races. Size ranges between 60 to 75 millimeters, allowing racers to skate through long distances at fast speeds.

Longboard wheels – Made especially for longboards, which are boards used for transport, longboard wheels have a size of up to 100 millimeters, allowing for a smooth ride.

Remember

A good skateboard wheels guide is one that provides unbiased advice to consumers looking for a set that can help keep them safe and improve their performance. Be sure to pick the right size according to how you’re going to use the wheel. Also, be sure to pick the type that matches your skill level.

Is Skateboarding Really As Dangerous As the Image it Has?

Skateboarding is a sport that many people love – the problem is that it generally doesn't get the type of recognition that it should. Instead of being considered a powerful sport that can be exciting and that someone can show their talents through it is often seen as an accident waiting to happen. Many parents are thrilled when their children want to participate in a variety of sports. Yet many of them draw the line when it comes to skateboarding.

That hardly seems far when you take a look at the overall statistics. A person is just as likely to get injured in contact sports including football as they are riding a skateboard. In fact, that risk is often less for a person on a skateboard. There is also the double standard that girls shouldn't be in this type of sport due to the risks. Today there are more women involved with professional skateboarding than ever, and that area continues to grow.

While skateboarding can be dangerous, it isn't something that a person shouldn't enjoy. It can be a thrill to learn moves and great tricks. Reducing the risk of injury is the place to start. Anyone taking part in skateboarding should be wearing a helmet. It needs to fit properly. This means being snug around the ears and with a chin strap. It shouldn't be uncomfortable to wear. However, it does need to be tight enough so that it won't be moving around.

Knee and elbow pads should be worn during skateboarding as well. These are common parts of the body that make contact with the ground when your moves don't go according to plan. Almost all serious accidents on a skateboard are found to occur when a person doesn't have the proper safety equipment in place. Parents should make sure their children always have them on.

There are many adults that love skateboarding as well. Ironically, they may require their children to wear safety equipment but they don't see the need for it themselves. Wearing them though shows your children that you are serious about safety. It also sets an example that is more powerful than you just telling them they need to wear those items.

One of the biggest problems is the media attention when someone does get hurt while skateboarding. They can take a single incident and make it seem like that is the daily situation. They fail to tell you about all of the thousands of other people out there that skateboard and don't get hurt. The focus is always on the negative instead of the positive.

Others only get a glimpse of skateboarding when the professionals are in the spotlight. What they often do is much more advanced than the average individual. They are able to do magnificent tricks and feats. Most common riders aren't at the same level so don't assume that is what your children will be doing when involved with this sport. It may eventually be but that isn't something you do overnight.

If you are still skeptical, take a look at the various statistics out there. They can help you to see that skateboarding isn't nearly as dangerous as it is made out to be. Are there risks involved? Sure, but they are there with any sport. Don't prevent your children from being a part of such a sport when they have some curiosity for it or even a passion to be a part of it.

If you have always wanted to skateboard but you were afraid of the risks, you are never too old to learn. Perhaps you were prevented from being a part of it when you were a child due to the fears of your own parents. Have some fun now learning how to skateboard – but make sure you do have the right safety gear as you do so.

Things to Do on a Skateboard

Disclaimer: skateboarding can be a dangerous sport. Whenever you ride your skateboard, there’s a possibility that you could get hurt. It’s important that you understand this.

Also, before trying any of these fun things, wear your skateboarding equipment. Get a proper helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads, at the very least. Safety should be your number one priority as a skateboarder. Without keeping yourself safe, you’re risking your ability to skate.

Skateboards are great because they can be used almost anywhere. Indoors and outdoors, up hills, down hills, and on flat ground. They’re simple to use, too. Just hop on and go. Skateboarding is the ultimate freedom.

Skateboard ramps are plenty of fun. They can be made without much effort – a classic ramp is just a board stacked up on some objects. A safer alternative is to construct a ramp entirely from wood. Cut a two by four piece of wood diagonally, and nail a piece of plywood to the pieces. Instant ramp!

Street curbs are a classic object that skateboarders skate on. They’re almost like a wave, if you can ride them properly. It’s a lot of fun to ride up and down the street, pumping off the curbs to keep you going.

Curbs can also be like a miniature skatepark. They’re perfect for practicing small tricks, and can be used as a ramp. Alternatively, you could jump from the street to the curb, using the gutter as a little mini gap.

When I was young, my friends and I made things dangerous by jumping over each other with the ramp we made. I can’t recommend this, because it’s just so dangerous. However, we did have lots of fun finding objects to stack, and then trying to gap those.

Another fun time I remember having as a boy is stacking up a couple of skateboards, and then doing an ollie over them. This can be turned into a game – stack up a board and jump over it. The next person to not make it over stacks their board up too. This keeps going until a winner is created

Skateboard games are lots of fun, but if you don’t have friends then you can go check out your local skatepark. Not only is the skateboard park a lot of fun, but it’s a great opportunity to meet people like yourself.

You can have fun with your skateboard in plenty of different ways. Don’t feel like you are limited by what I’ve written above. Instead, use this guide as a way to think up new ideas. Always remember to wear your safety gear!

How To Choose The Best Electric Skateboard

If you want to select an electric skateboard, there are some things you need to consider and investigate. You must decide what your primary reason to buy an electric skateboard. It does not matter whether it is for pleasure, commute or even just from point A to B travel. Then decide based on the area where you live or want Entertaining electric skateboard how much force you need minimal. In the Netherlands, all very flat, so you do not need a strong board, but if you want to take your skateboard on holiday to the south of Europe, then you have some extra power needed to climb the hills / mountains beyond. Below we will describe some tips mention that you should consider when you buy an electric skateboard. Remember that you should always wear a helmet!

Components

These are the main components of an electric skateboard and we will also briefly explain why they are so important:

Batteries: The recent renovations of batteries is the whole reason why the E-class skateboard has become so popular and why we write this article. The electric skateboard is available for years, but this often weighed 20-30 kg due to the heavy batteries. In the last five years, lithium batteries have evolved, the weight is drastically reduced and safety is improved. This makes it possible to maneuver boards easier and they are portable. In addition to a safer and lighter board, the batteries now have a greater range. Always make sure you follow the manufacturer’s recommendations when you upload your board, because the battery life of the board. Otherwise you later to skating on a very expensive and heavy longboard.

Engines: Today’s engines are between 400-2000 watts. A 400 watt motor is fine for a flat area, but do not assume that you thus also accelerating up at hills. A 2000 watt motor will drive up overall by steep slopes and give you a frightening acceleration.

Controls: Most electric skateboards use a wireless handheld controller that can be used while driving. The controllers have light indicators to let you know the status of your board. For example, what percentage is the battery charged, or that something is wrong with the board. The downside is that you still can not see on what percentage of the controller, so we recommend you charge it with the board. Another disadvantage of a controller is that this is something you should pay attention and needs charging. We have already several times had a dead battery and then your electric skateboard just a slow and heavy longboard (he’ll go ahead, but it is very heavy). The Zboard and one wheel use your weight and the input of your feet, so you do not need to bring a controller. The downside is that you have no idea how full your battery electric skateboard. When one wheel you have to stop and look at the indicators and count or an app for it.

Wheels: All boards use longboard wheels. These make it possible to drive over fairly rugged terrain, but they give you certainly not the same smooth ride a bike. The durometer or duro of the wheel you can tell us more. The lower the number, the softer and more grip, the wheel (smoother ride). Higher numbers mean sometimes harder wheels and less grip (a bumpy ride). Even money the larger the wheel, the smoother the ride. The only exception is the onewheel, which has one large wheel kart which you about severe rugged terrain and even unpaved paths can drive.

Charger: Not all chargers are created equal. Some will your board in half an hour or even less full charge, while others do here about 3-5 hours. Each electric skateboard comes with its own charger and there are no third-party chargers that you can purchase. So if you buy the Yuneec, then you just wait 3+ hours until it is fully charged. Although they still do not have a car chargers for electric skateboards (at least the one we tested), you can still buy an adapter, but both we and the manufacturers recommend against using it.

Why Not Just A Normal Longboard Skateboard?

Even if the electric skateboard price will decline as we expect, why would not you just buy a longboard for € 50 which weighs about 2 kg instead of 7 kg? For some people it is a longboard everything they need. But the electric skateboard has some major advantages:

Brakes: Going down in hills is easy with e-board. Braking with a longboard, however, requires a lot of skill. Also, if you are driving close to people, then an electric board will give you much more control over your speed and you also have an emergency brake.

Traffic Tracking: If you ride on bike paths or streets, you can with an electric skateboard much better track the flow of other bikes and cars.

Climbing hills: No explanation needed.

Faster To Your Destination: With Boosted Board can reach a speed between 24-35 km/h. A longboard is 8-16 km/h.

Cooling: If you drive during hot temperatures, you will arrive cooled with an electric skateboard instead of sweaty with a longboard.

Freelance Web Designer | WordPress Developer | Hong Kong