Movement
Because of the construction of a casterboards, riding one (or "casterboarding") is more akin to snowboarding or surfboarding than skateboarding. The stance is perpendicular to the board, and the feet do not need to leave the board to propel it. While riding, one can also carve back and forth, making heel-and-toe side turns (see steering). Initially, one places the front foot (depending on preference) on the front of the board, which is generally uni-directional. Once on the board, and riding, the independent motion capabilities of the front and back of the board allow it to twist along the lengthwise axis. This lets the rider turn or even propel the board forward without removing his or her feet from the board.
The motion requires that the board be twisted back and forth so as to move either just the back foot or both the front and back feet side to side, essentially pushing the board forward at the outside of the movement, before the foot is brought back in the other direction. In principle, the act is similar to what is required to propel one who is riding inline skates forward, as opposed to how skateboarders push with their feet on the ground. Riding a caster board requires using a twisting motion of hips and legs.
A rider or "casterboarder" gains speed because each wheel is mounted on a 30° slant on the bottom of each deck. When each deck is pushed to the side, it causes the board to be pushed upward by the wheels' rotation against the gradient of the mounts. This creates potential energy that is then released moves back down under the rider's weight and its own combined. The weight pushing the board back down causes the wheels to turn to face straight again. While riding on a caster board, the increase in height is barely noticeable unless the rider twists the board along the vertical axis too hard, causing stability to be momentarily reduced. There are many types of casterboards — RipStik, The Wave, LA Vigorboard, Swaveboard, AXIS Casterboarding, and more.
Casterboards have been introduced onto many school curricula as a means of teaching the basic movement principles that govern board-sports. The success in its ability to engage with pupils not interested in sport was assessed in a 12 week, 6 secondary school case study in the UK carried out by Curriculum Ex.
Read more about this topic: Vigorboard
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