Freebord News

Two Represent rides going on in the land down under this month… they’ve been dormant all winter but now it’s time for the Aussies to come out of hibernation. Get the eff out there and show us what you got!

MELBOURNE REPRESENT!

Saturday November 22 2008

RIDE

Flinders Street Station (Map), 11:00 am

• Video and photo shoot madness all afternoon

• All levels of Freeborders and Longboarders welcome

PERTH REPRESENT!

Saturday November 29 2008

RIDE

‘Peace Hill’ - Johnson Parade, Mosman Park (Map), 12:00 pm

Featuring

• DJ FREQ
• Howley Brothers Kicker
• Pro Riders Sam Trowbridge, Luke Howell and Stephen Howell

The Location Features

• Mellow hill for learners
• Bomber hill for confident riders
• Ledges
• Footpaths
• One Epic Gap

PARTY

SOS Surf Company

66a Adelaide St, Fremantle, next door to Fleet Cycles (Map), 7:30 pm

Featuring

• DJ FREQ
• Discounts on New Freebord Gear
• Pro Riders Sam Trowbridge, Luke Howell and Stephen Howell
• And the premiere of Flatspot’s new film ‘Forecast’

The Gear Junkie Stephen Regenold recently reviewed Freebord’s G3 setup for Outside Magazine’s online blog. Check out the excerpt below or read the whole story here. Thanks Stephen!

Another new longboard, the Freebord with G3 Trucks, acts almost nothing like a skateboard when underfoot. Indeed, with six wheels and two foot-ensconcing binding wings, the Freebord, which costs $229, can produce a wild ride down terrain so steep that you’d normally need a brake.

Made to mimic a snowboard, Freebord (www.freebord.com) riders buzz straight downhill on two polyurethane wheels mounted on a spinning mechanism that sits in the middle of the trucks. Leaning into a turn, the center wheels rotate and the rider carves on his inside or outside wheels, which act like edges on a snowboard.

It’s hard to explain. And it’s even harder to master. I watched several Freeboard videos online, with the riders carving effortlessly on steep streets and skidding to stops with precision heretofore unknown on a skateboard.

But on the hills around my house, I flailed and crashed into the grass. It took several laps until the feel for the board came through, and even then I was uneasy with my technique.

A steep learning curve is common in sports like surfing and snowboarding. So why not Freebording, too? Though it looks like a longboard, this is really a new discipline in the sport.

Freebord cites more than 50,000 boards sold since its founding in 1998. There are videos to show proof of this board’s potential. If you try it, wear a helmet and pads. And be prepared for a few bumps before you get it down.

But once mastered, you’ll be able to essentially snowboard on land. Step in. Point the deck downhill. And ride off carving, the concrete or asphalt skimming past below, gravity pulling faster as the wind picks up and begins to beat on your face.

All new Slashers with updated graphics in white, purple and orange… now available through the FB store.

Bonus: Buy one wheel kit and add a second set of Slasher edge wheels for only $40.00. Mix and match the colors and make your own steez.

Who knew we had so much to say?

In honor of our 200 post-iversary, we’re giving away this crisp 200 dollar bill to one lucky rider. Just tell us why you need the money more than anyone else. Best sob story wins!

Jonathan Ehm, Cyril Calgaro, Arnaud Debluze, Rems and 10ish other freeborders were at the Mondial du Snowboard in Les 2 Alpes, for freebording in the resort to spread the word. It snowed 50cm (20 inches), so they had a great time shreding the snowpark, and testing all the ‘09 snowboard on the slopes.

Jonathan Ehm slashing some snow in Les 2 Alpes. Picture by Corentin

Some of you may remember this little gem from years back:

Find It

For all you punks who missed out on the FRAs this year, you can still pretend like you went. The FRA T-shirt, poster and sunglasses are up on the store for only $12.00 as a package deal, or you can buy separately. Get ‘um while they’re hot…

click images for detail view

We’re still recovering from the FRAs but we managed to roll out of bed and vote this morning. All you eligible Americans should too - so sez Uncle Sam…