butt boarding vs. skeleton carving

[feenixx]

Here it is: the buttboarding vs. skeleton carving thread. the only difference between the two, is that in buttboarding you go feet-first, while with skeleton carving, you go head-first. personally, i'm a fan of skeleton, especially on my dancer. basically the point of this thread is just to learn which is faster. this summer i'll be doing some 'research' on the two styles to determine which is faster, more maneuverable, etc., but in the meantime, here's another thread in which to post your butt board/skeleton carving pics

[thokk2]

Buttboarding is far more maneuverable. You are in a better position to lean off the board and turn. You can air brake by sitting up. Foot braking can be done with one foot, for more turning, or both feet to stop very rapidly. So you have more control on the rate of deceleration.
As far as speed goes, in a straight line... probably about the same. But if the course has any technical parts, I'd would have to say buttboarding.

I think there is a reason it's more popular.

[chrismcb]

Head first will be faster. (well depending on how you hold your arms) But how do you propose to stop?
If you use the same board, then either style will be about as manuverable as the other. But again, how do you plan on slowing down and stopping going head first?

Head first can be quite a rush, as your face will be inches from the pavement. Just don't run into anything.

[MJKam11]

Skeleton is kinda like.........not the smartest thing to do since you can't really stop quickly. Buttboarding is fun though, thats what I used my Nosewalker for when I first got it.

[feenixx]

hehehe well i'm usually doing either one on my dancer.....when i go head first, i usually hold my arms to a point out in front of me, utilizing the extra weight and wind resistance to help turn (extend one arm in direction of turn) plus that way i just drop my hands to decelerate (slide gloves), also i can drag my toes. At the bottom, when i need a complete stop, i bring my arms along side and basically do a push up, which slows you right down. And yes, having your head that close to the pavement is a total rush, and yes it makes you sh1t yourself when suddenly you turn a corner and there's a car right there.

[nico]

hello
well for those who like to stop with a skeleton luge, i have good news.
some time ago, i invented or should i say: modified, a really good working brake system with hydraulic power.
i have been riding many skeleton boards before, with all different styles of braking (including crashes in order to stop). Due the work i do, i am not able to go to many races. most of the roads i use were in luxembourg and France.
I wish i was able to visit more events. mayby to make some of the luging more safe for people who like to be introduced by the sport. especially skeleton luging.
anyway, i have the system installed on a modified Landyachtz board. because my wife likes to ride once in a while but she is a little scared whenn the board gets speed up.
i have a picture of the board as an attachment.

[rosewood thief]

my butt boarding days are over after i tried to turn last time...

[enemy combatant]

When you crash into something luging you can break a leg.

When you crash into something riding skeleton you can break your neck.

[chrismcb]

Interesting modification!

I've never been hugely happy with mechanical brakes on skateboard wheels. Your contact patch with the road is so small.

One of the best skeleton style boards I've seen are the skullboards with a brake under the belly. Not sure if anything head first can race against the skullboards or not, but you should try to come out to a race. But remember that skeleton style can't race in the unlimited luge class.

[nico]

[nico]

[feenixx]

When you crash into something luging you can break a leg.

When you crash into something riding skeleton you can break your neck.

true, but i mean that goes for anything. full tucking in a parking garage can get you a broken neck too, people are willing to risk it. good point tho......whenever i get down on my decks (skeleton OR buttboard) i always ride with a couple buffer skaters, one in front and one in back just to make just things are clear of obstacles, cars, etc. The last thing anyone wants is to be a vegetable for the rest of your life

[oldnbroken]

Broken neck will change your life and the operation to fix you is expensive, the recovery is slow and full of dark black pain....I don't recommend it.

[AFTT]

true, but i mean that goes for anything. full tucking in a parking garage can get you a broken neck too, people are willing to risk it. good point tho......whenever i get down on my decks (skeleton OR buttboard) i always ride with a couple buffer skaters, one in front and one in back just to make just things are clear of obstacles, cars, etc. The last thing anyone wants is to be a vegetable for the rest of your life

In the case of riding skeleton, you are going head first, which means your head is going to impact first, no matter what. When your tucking in a garage, at least you can slide to a stop.

Just don't risk skeleton, buttboarding is much safer.

[thokk2]

I think one of the biggest benefits of buttboarding is that you can sit up. Which enables you to look around, and be more visible.

And there is still the whole being able to stop, very quickly, with both feet as breaks.

[ACIDAARON]

Skeleton is really fun, and yeah its dangerous. But the entire DH scene is dangerous. :P

[*SWEET*]

The Skullboard probably has the greatest braking technic yet... Inspired from bodyboard if I remeber a talk I had with Claude 5 or 6 years ago.
Last time I met him, his new skullboard (produced at the time by Blackkross... not sure if they still do them) had become pieces of art and were extremly beautiful...
Best head first board for now to me... Fast and relatively safe. Crashed once with one... Still here talk about it lol (more seriuoly, as long as you are a little extra careful, you're good to go)
Comparing skullboarding and buttboarding is kind of useless as they provide completly different sensations...

[nico]

hello skeleton lugers
well i have done some modifications on my new board.
it is not as big as the skullboard but as fast and responsive as this board.
with the rubber wheels, i am able to run while raining

[jabobstro]

enemy combatant,i love your luge board in your avatar,perfect LOL

[OldSkateGuy]

Here's some pics of my skeleton, er....skatecar back in the late 70s.