Street Luge

a.k.a. "landluge"

Street luge was born in Southern California as downhill skateboarders found they could reach faster speeds by lying down on their skateboards. This early form of the sport is now referred to as classic style or buttboarding.

In 1975 the first professional streetluge race was held at Signal Hill, California and hosted by the U.S. Skateboard Association. The race winner was based on top speed. The boards used in this race varied from basic skateboards to complex skate cars in which the rider was completely enclosed by plastic or fiberglass. The sport was not commonly referred to as street luge at this time but the term luge was used to describe some participants riding position. Most contestants were standing up however an opening in the rules enabled riders to choose their on-board position - including prone. By 1978, repeated injuries to both riders and spectators halted the races at Signal Hill.

Several riders from the Signal Hill races kept the sport of street luging alive by continuing to hold races in Southern California. Throughout the 1980s and into the early 1990s, both underground and professional races continued to be held in Southern California by such organizations as the Underground Racers Association (URA), Federation of International Gravity Racing (FIGR) and Road Racers Association for International Luge (RAIL). Race organizers in the 1980s and 1990s started implementing many more equipment, safety and race regulations.

Meanwhile early 1990s some Austrian skateboarders started sitting down on their skateboards on the way back from teaching skiing in the Alps. This activity lead to a penultimate classic style street luge race in Austria. There is now a healthy street luge riding and racing presence in many European countries (see below).

In the mid 1990s, ESPN’s X Games showcased street luge to the world and the sport was originally sanctioned by RAIL, then by the International Gravity Sports Association (IGSA). NBC followed ESPN’s lead and created the Gravity Games in which street luge was sanctioned by Extreme Downhill International (EDI). Qualification criteria for these events varied and was controlled by each of the sanctioning bodies. While no longer a sport in either the X Games or Gravity Games, street luge is a burgeoning sport in numerous countries with competitions in the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia, Switzerland, Germany, Sweden and the U.K.



Street lugers ride modified skateboards in the prone position. The design of these boards is based on the rules set forth from different governing bodies (see GSI rules). Consistent design elements include:

1. The use of lean activated steering skateboard style trucks
2. The prohibited use of mechanical brakes
3. Front and rear padding
4. Length, width and weight restrictions
5. The prohibited use of parts that enclose the rider’s body or hinder braking

Current street luge boards are made from many materials including steel, aluminum, wood, and carbon fiber. The majority of the street luge boards in the world are custom made although commercial models are now available. There has been a surge in "pegless" (without the front boom and foot peg assembly) street luges as many riders feel they are safer and certainly easier to transport. Actual board designs can vary as the construction rules are very open and allow for numerous design considerations.

Riders participating in sanctioned racing events are required to wear safety equipment including a DOT helmet, full leather suit and gloves. Street luge pilots also require extra soles on their shoes to effectively stop with their feet.

- Thanks to Dave Auld, Pro Street Luge competitor