Buttboards
a.k.a. "Classic Luge"
If you have ever confronted a steep hill on a skateboard and decided to sit on the deck to ride instead of standing then you've been on a buttboard. With roots in Southern California, skateboarders found lying on their backs and riding was considerably faster than standing. The first races were held in 1975 on the famous Signal Hill in California and soon Street Luge evolved from those crude vehicles and stole the spotlight.
ESPN's X-Games and the Gravity Games made Street Luge wildly popular as Buttboarding was somewhat ignored. In Europe, however, the Buttboard was the centerpiece for the highly successful Hot Heels gravity sport competitions. When the networks dropped the Street Luge from their televised competitions, organizations like the IGSA and EDI continued the racing and embraced other gravity sports like Speedboard, Gravity Bike and, of course, Buttboard.
It is important to recognize that a Buttboard is not the same as a street luge. The Buttboard, as a vehicle used for competition, has design limitations that are meant to keep the equipment standardized and inexpensive. Street Luges, however, can be customized to increase performance. The design parameters for Buttboard are to keep the cost low but also to minimize technological advantage. A quality, race worthy buttboard can be had for $200, a fraction of the cost for a race ready street luge.
The design guidelines for a Buttboard to pass technical inspection at most competitions include:
- Deck no more than 48 inches (125 cm) long.
- Deck no more than 12 inches (30.5 cm) wide.
- Wheels no more than 70 mm diameter.
- Limited to 4 wheels, 2 trucks.
- Wheels and trucks must commercially available.
- Wood deck, no metal or fiberglass (composite) designs.
- Weight not to exceed 15 lbs.
Buttboards are the vehicle of choice for the gravity sport purist, simple and uncomplicated in design, however, you'll find most classic luge pilots also race street luge. Skills honed on a buttboard such as braking with the feet, cornering and drafting will be useful for street luge as well. Even though a buttboard does not go quite as fast as a street luge, riders can expect to go well over 50 mph!
Buttboarding is a dangerous sport and safety for riders and spectators is key. Racers are required to wear protective gear including full body leather, DOT approved helmet, heavy gloves and stout footwear with added soles for braking.
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