Pineboarding
Encyclopedia
Pineboarding is a recreational activity in which a participant rides down the pine-needle-covered slopes of pine
forests on a skateboard deck
(without trucks or wheels).
The underside of the deck is sandpapered down to remove any paint or varnish that it may have. This paint or varnish layer tends to inhibit a smooth ride, as it makes the board stick to the pine
beneath it. Floor or wood polish, such as Pledge, is sometimes applied to the underside of the board to provide a more slippery surface.
Another board that has proved itself on this terrain is the Stikboard. This is an all terrain board made out of rotational molded plastic and of a similar size to a skateboard deck. It's lightweight and robust and ideal for grass, sand, snow, and even pine needles.
.
If it has rained during the previous week or so, the pine-needles and the underlying sand will still, most likely, be damp. This seriously inhibits the board's ability to slide over the pine-needles. Although these conditions are not preferable, it is still possible to pineboard in such a situation if one applies ample polish before each run.
s the movement of a pineboarder is largely determined by the features of the slope. In skateboarding
, snowboarding
, surfing
, wakeboarding
and mountain boarding, pressure placed on the edges of the board cause it move accordingly. A pineboard can be directed in this same way, but to a much lesser degree; the primary method is, instead, to adapt one’s own movements (degrees of weight distribution on either foot, stance etc.) to the slope.
and snowboarding
which are performed:
in pineboarding is basically the same movement as it is in skateboarding. The feet kick the board into a 180 or 360 degree rotation. The board stays in contact with the slope but the feet are in the air above the board as it rotates (originally a skateboarding
move).
s are performed on the top of tree stump before dropping off the other edge. Cutbacks are performed on the edge of the stump or on the transition slope.
A pineboarding railslide requires a rail that one can slide directly onto from the slope, i.e. the rail can’t be above the ground as it sometimes is in skateboarding and snowboarding. The reason for this is that most pineboards don’t have straps or bindings to hold the feet against the board, as in snowboarding. One can’t ollie
onto a rail as in skateboarding because of the nature of the riding surface and the board.
Pine
Pines are trees in the genus Pinus ,in the family Pinaceae. They make up the monotypic subfamily Pinoideae. There are about 115 species of pine, although different authorities accept between 105 and 125 species.-Etymology:...
forests on a skateboard deck
(without trucks or wheels).
Boards
The preferred pineboard is an old school style, highly-concave skateboard deck like those that were popular in the 1970’s and 1980’s. The edges of concave decks are raised, which provides a much smoother ride. Modern skateboard decks have relatively low concavity and their edges tend to dig into the pine needles and sand while riding.The underside of the deck is sandpapered down to remove any paint or varnish that it may have. This paint or varnish layer tends to inhibit a smooth ride, as it makes the board stick to the pine
Pine
Pines are trees in the genus Pinus ,in the family Pinaceae. They make up the monotypic subfamily Pinoideae. There are about 115 species of pine, although different authorities accept between 105 and 125 species.-Etymology:...
beneath it. Floor or wood polish, such as Pledge, is sometimes applied to the underside of the board to provide a more slippery surface.
Another board that has proved itself on this terrain is the Stikboard. This is an all terrain board made out of rotational molded plastic and of a similar size to a skateboard deck. It's lightweight and robust and ideal for grass, sand, snow, and even pine needles.
Looking for a Slope
The pine slopes which are the most sought after are usually those that provide a few clean lines: That is,long sections of slope which provide clear runs without obstacles such as trees, boulders, bushes etc. (a ‘run’ in pineboarding is simply a single movement from one part of the slope down to another).Cleaning
Once an agreeable slope has been found, the run or runs have to be ‘cleaned’. ‘Cleaning’ involves removing rocks, small stones, branches, pine cones, and other debris from the run. This is a once-off job so it is important to choose a good slope beforehand. Uncleaned slopes may cause damage to your board, especially from rocks and small stones. It is also nice to know that when you wipe out you’ll be landing on soft pine needles and not rocks.Weather Conditions
Weather conditions are important to take into account before heading to the forestForest
A forest, also referred to as a wood or the woods, is an area with a high density of trees. As with cities, depending where you are in the world, what is considered a forest may vary significantly in size and have various classification according to how and what of the forest is composed...
.
If it has rained during the previous week or so, the pine-needles and the underlying sand will still, most likely, be damp. This seriously inhibits the board's ability to slide over the pine-needles. Although these conditions are not preferable, it is still possible to pineboard in such a situation if one applies ample polish before each run.
Movement
Unlike most boardsportBoardsport
Boardsports are sports that are played with some sort of board as the primary equipment. These sports take place on a variety of terrain, from paved flat-ground and snow covered hills to water and air. Most boardsports are considered action sports or extreme sports, and thus often appeal to youth...
s the movement of a pineboarder is largely determined by the features of the slope. In skateboarding
Skateboarding
Skateboarding is an action sport which involves riding and performing tricks using a skateboard.Skateboarding can be a recreational activity, an art form, a job, or a method of transportation. Skateboarding has been shaped and influenced by many skateboarders throughout the years. A 2002 report...
, snowboarding
Snowboarding
Snowboarding is a sport that involves descending a slope that is covered with snow on a snowboard attached to a rider's feet using a special boot set onto mounted binding. The development of snowboarding was inspired by skateboarding, sledding, surfing and skiing. It was developed in the U.S.A...
, surfing
Surfing
Surfing' is a surface water sport in which the surfer rides a surfboard on the crest and face of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore...
, wakeboarding
Wakeboarding
Wakeboarding is a surface water sport which involves riding a wakeboard over the surface of a body of water. It was developed from a combination of water skiing, snow boarding and surfing techniques....
and mountain boarding, pressure placed on the edges of the board cause it move accordingly. A pineboard can be directed in this same way, but to a much lesser degree; the primary method is, instead, to adapt one’s own movements (degrees of weight distribution on either foot, stance etc.) to the slope.
Safety
Proper protection should always be worn, such as a helmet and elbowpads. Because the boarder is moving at high speeds down a steep slope, it can be dangerous if footing is lost or any mistake is made on a trick, i.e. losing the board on a shuvit. This can cause the rider to bail, and on a steep slope, this can cause injury. Bails can also result from hidden obstacles such as rocks and fallen trees. If the rider bails it is important for he/she to get up to a crouching or standing position and stop as quickly as possible.Tricks
The run itself and responding to the features of the slope (such as steep angles, corners and drops etc.) is the primary pineboarding experience; but there are a few simple tricks inspired by skateboardingSkateboarding
Skateboarding is an action sport which involves riding and performing tricks using a skateboard.Skateboarding can be a recreational activity, an art form, a job, or a method of transportation. Skateboarding has been shaped and influenced by many skateboarders throughout the years. A 2002 report...
and snowboarding
Snowboarding
Snowboarding is a sport that involves descending a slope that is covered with snow on a snowboard attached to a rider's feet using a special boot set onto mounted binding. The development of snowboarding was inspired by skateboarding, sledding, surfing and skiing. It was developed in the U.S.A...
which are performed:
Rotations
90, 180, 270 or 360 degree rotations: these are performed by swinging the upper-body or lower-body in the intended clockwise or counter-clockwise direction while the feet are in contact with the board and the board is in contact with the slope (a simple move on a snowboard but far more difficult on a pineboard).Shove-its
A shove-itShove-it
A Shove-it is a skateboarding trick where the skateboarder makes their board spin 180 degrees or more under their feet.There are many variations of the Shove-it but they all follow the same principle: The skateboarder's lead foot stays in one spot, and their back foot does the 'shove'.The...
in pineboarding is basically the same movement as it is in skateboarding. The feet kick the board into a 180 or 360 degree rotation. The board stays in contact with the slope but the feet are in the air above the board as it rotates (originally a skateboarding
Skateboarding
Skateboarding is an action sport which involves riding and performing tricks using a skateboard.Skateboarding can be a recreational activity, an art form, a job, or a method of transportation. Skateboarding has been shaped and influenced by many skateboarders throughout the years. A 2002 report...
move).
Ramps
Ramps are made by building up a mound of sand next to a tree stump. The mound is shaped to give a smooth transition from the slope to the top of the tree stump. The transition slope is then layered with pine needles. Shove-itShove-it
A Shove-it is a skateboarding trick where the skateboarder makes their board spin 180 degrees or more under their feet.There are many variations of the Shove-it but they all follow the same principle: The skateboarder's lead foot stays in one spot, and their back foot does the 'shove'.The...
s are performed on the top of tree stump before dropping off the other edge. Cutbacks are performed on the edge of the stump or on the transition slope.
Spin-it shoves
This is almost a cross of a rotation and a shove it. One spins the board under his/her feet and jumps up at the same time thus the board spins under them and the person either spins the same way as the board or in the reverse direction if they want to be fancy.Rail Sliding
In pineboarding, thick branches or tree trunks (with diameters ranging from 10 cm to 50 cm) are used to make rails for rail sliding. Fresh branches or trunks are preferred for the slippery riding surface they provide when the bark is removed. Sometimes a little floor polish is applied to rails which have become old and dry.A pineboarding railslide requires a rail that one can slide directly onto from the slope, i.e. the rail can’t be above the ground as it sometimes is in skateboarding and snowboarding. The reason for this is that most pineboards don’t have straps or bindings to hold the feet against the board, as in snowboarding. One can’t ollie
Ollie (skateboarding trick)
The ollie is a skateboarding trick where the rider and board leap into the air without the use of the rider's hands. Particularly on flat ground, it is not intuitively obvious how the liftoff is achieved, making the trick visually striking....
onto a rail as in skateboarding because of the nature of the riding surface and the board.