サンドボードとは / About Sandboarding
What is a Sandboard?
- Length
- 95cm〜140cm
- Weight
- 2kg〜4kg
- Board
- Plastic laminate and wood
- Binding
- Neoprene rubber
What is Sandboarding?
Sandboarding is said to have originated in Egypt in the time of the Pharaohs, where they slid down dunes on large pieces of wood. The sport has evolved over the centuries and, although many countries lay claim to originating it, the first sandboarders were Egyptian. Australia, America, Peru, Chile, Germany, France, Namibia and even Japan have taken the sport to the next level with tours, competitions and places to rent in abundance.
However, it must be pointed out that it is the progressive and very natural thinking of young people around the globe that it makes sense to find fun and adventure by sliding down big dunes on something. So we prefer to give credit to all young and aspiring riders with an imagination and a desire to slide, as the founders of the modern sport of sandboarding.
Regardless of its origin, the words "sand boarding" somewhat explain themselves. Sliding on sand, you ride a board. You may sit, stand or lie down on a board which is usually made of wood or fibreglass — even metal and carbon boards exist — and then slide down a sand dune or a mountain made of sand. Many people use what they have at hand: pieces of wood, a body board, surfboards, and there are even cardboard riders. But the true modern sandboard sport, with real control of the board, edges for carving, jumping and tricks, is best experienced with a real sandboard and bindings.
Sandboarding is a "sideways riding" sport, like skateboarding. So people who surf, skateboard, snowboard or wakeboard will be able to sandboard the same day they try. If you are new to sideways riding sports it may take you a day to get on your feet and ride properly with a few turns, but it has been our experience that sandboarding is surely the easiest of all the above sports. And if you really have trouble, you can always sit down!
It is especially popular in Peru, Chile, Japan, France, Germany, South America, the United States and Australia, where there are competitions that offer cash prizes and may evolve into a pro circuit. With sponsors like Red Bull, Burton and DC Shoes, we know that sandboarding can appeal to mass audiences, as has been shown in the many TV spots that sandboarding appears in.
One of the best aspects of sandboarding for most young riders is how inexpensive it is to start, and the freedom of the places to do it. Unlike other sports you will rarely, if ever, have to pay to sandboard. In most cases you only need a board, a dune and some wax and you are ready to go. Wax is applied to the base to help reduce the extreme friction and heat created between the base and the sand. Some people also use spray-on floor polish, but this can contain CFCs and chemicals that most authorities frown upon being left in the sand. We suggest using a biodegradable, environmentally friendly wax.
Most sandboarders wear only shorts and a t-shirt and, depending on the style of board, no shoes. Having bare feet really gives you a sense of freedom and of being one with nature, and we prefer to keep sandboarding with as minimal a set of requirements as possible. For large mountains there is no choice but to wear fully protective boots and clothing, but for beach boarding we suggest a light, bare-foot binding.
Lastly, one of the best things about sandboarding is that it isn't as dangerous as other big mountain sports, because even if you take a big fall it's just sand — quite soft, and much softer than an icy trail. We have never had any serious injuries in over 20 years of experience, and we suggest you give sandboarding a try wherever it may be.
Where to start
- Australia — desertstorm.com.au
- America — sandmasterpark.com
- France — sandboard.fr
- Peru — peruadventurestours.com
- Japan — 国内砂丘情報
Snowboards on sand
Snowboards converted into sandboards keep their snowboard bindings, so boots are needed. Here in Japan, snowboard-style sandboards are used heavily in competition — we have a full competition in Japan each year and welcome all visitors to enter. If you would like to ride a snowboard-style setup, ask us through the contact form and we can arrange it.
The off-season sport
Sandboarding is the perfect off-season sport for those looking to keep in shape during summer whilst still wanting to do those snowboard manoeuvres. 360s, 720s, back flips, rodeos and switch blind 180s are all possible on a sandboard with enough speed and the right kicker.
Snowboarders can quickly make the transition to sandboarding. The board is light and ready for snowboarders who prefer jumping and freestyle runs. Riding a sandboard is like riding powder, so you centre your gravity on your trailing foot. There are also no chairlifts, so back-country boarders are well suited to sandboarding — as well as surfers looking for a ride on a flat day while keeping up their fitness levels.