By Adam Colton, Louis Pilloni

Skating long mountain roads or gnarly hills can put your skating to the test. It is dangerous and high risk but there are certain precautions you can take to help you get down safely. Before you attempt any big hill it is important that you are confident on your board. You should be able to footbrake and slide at the hill’s fastest point. After you feel you have the skills required to tackle a hill here are a few steps that will help you along your way to conquering your local giant safely.

1. Assess the Road before you ride. Scout the hill from top to bottom to look for potential obstacles. Look at the pavement and potholes, which will reduce traction and induce speed wobbles.

2. Be very aware of traffic. Cars are you biggest obstacles and danger. If the road is heavily traveled we suggest you choose another road. Strategize a time to skate the hill when the traffic will be at its lowest.

3. Have the proper setup and board. Not all boards are meant for big hill bombing. Generally you want a very stiff board with downhill trucks (baseplate angle lower then 50 degrees). Having excess flex in a board or a short wheelbase will make higher speeds very unstable. If you are looking to go fast invest in the proper board and equipment, it will make an enormous difference and may save your life. If your grip is wearing away apply some new grip tape to your board before charge down big hills to keep you feet on when you are sliding and drifting turns.

4. WEAR YOUR HELMET, pads or leathers, and slide gloves. When skating crazy hills you WILL FALL at some point. Anyone who has had any experience skating gnarly mountain roads knows that protective equipment saves lives and devastating injuries. Our helmets have saved us a number of times. When you begin to skate faster I would recommend a full-face helmet. Sixonesix and Azonic are good beginner helmets and offer good protection. Having a bulky and heavy motorcycle helmets can be a bad thing. Due to their weight they can actually swing your head to the ground with more force. If you are new do not get an expensive aero/light weight helmet. These helmets are one time use and will not hold up to excessive beatings. Wear your slide gloves. Slide gloves are a must when skating crazy hills. They can be used to control a fall, as you are able to put out your hands and slide on your pucks to a stop. They also make it easier to slide and drift to kill speed.

5. Check your set up. Before bombing, take a second to make sure that all your axel nuts and hardware are tight. Step on your board and see what your truck tightness is like and if it is suitable for the hill at hand.

6. Your 1st Run play it SAFE!!! Do not bomb full tuck a hill you have never skated, especially if it is filled with lots of turns, and blind corners. I know it is hard to resist showing off but playing it safe can save a lot of skin and maybe even your life. Footbrake, airbrake (putting your hands out in the air), or carve to keep your speed down. Your 1st run is really just to get to know the road and make it down with ease. Become friends with the road. If there is someone that has skated the hill before let them go first and follow behind them. They should know where to brake for the turns and any obstacles. Do not try to pass them the 1st run down the hill, they are your guide. If they are going too fast for you to keep up, take it slow and you will meet them at the bottom. The goal is not to go past your comfort level.

7. Blind corners. STAY in your lane when going around blind corners and try to avoid passing in sketchy sections of the road (rough pavement). Do not push your limits on blind corners; play them conservative and live to be 90 years old. If we did not follow this very important rule both of us wouldn’t be here to write this.

8. Respect the road and respect your fellow riders. Know that the lives of the other riders around you are in your hands as well. Don’t ride stupid and reckless as you can end up hurting/killing your friends. Do not follow too close on sketchy sections of the road and again do not pass or push someone wide on blind corners. Wait until a good safe place to pass. Also, clap your hands together to let someone know that you are next to them or passing. When skating with new people keep a safe distance. You have no idea what their skill level is. It is a game of trust when skating with people, and it takes a lot of time and practice to skating closely down a raging hill.

9. Follow Car: When possible it is best to have a friend follow behind you in a car when skating longer hills. Make sure your friend keeps a safe distance behind the skaters. Even with or without a follow car, other cars can build up behind the skaters. When this happens your best option is to footbrake, slow down and to let them pass.

10. Have fun out there, skate hills, smile big and live another day.

For all of you rocking big hills on your Vanguard or Dervish. Be careful, these boards are not intended for downhill but can handle speed depending on your skill level. We have taken our Dervish down the meanest of hills and it has worked but it has been sketchy. Riding a hill on a proper downhill board will make it much easier and safer.