Let's powerslide in the rain
You wake up in the morning and find that it is raining outside. In such situations, why not make productive use of the wet and slippery ground? Powerslides are perfectly suited to this environment.
Summary
Balancing friction and gravity is essential
Friction occurs between the ground while sliding. At the same time, leaning back generates downward acceleration. Achieving a stable and extended powerslide requires finding the optimal balance between these two opposing forces.
Crouch and rise to release pressure from the wheels
You cannot reposition the board effectively while your full body weight is pressing onto it. You need to crouch and then raise your body. This motion temporarily reduces the pressure applied to the board, thereby decreasing the friction between the wheels and the ground.
Shift weight onto the front foot to bring the board back
The board remains at a 90-degree angle as long as both feet apply equal pressure. By redistributing your weight toward your front foot, you guide the board back toward its original direction of travel.
Simulation
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Principle of powerslide
Fundamental principle of powerslides
There are several variations of the powerslide, including:
Despite their differences, all variations share a common underlying mechanism.
Physical Mechanism
You need to consider two key factors
- The friction between the board and the ground, which slows the board down.
- The downward acceleration of your body, which pushes the board forward.
Stable powerslides rely on finding the proper balance between these two forces.
Why does a powerslide fail?
Most failures occur because these two forces are not balanced appropriately.
In other words, excessive friction causes the board to stop abruptly, while excessive downward force may push the board out from under you.
How to lock into the sliding position
Why is it difficult to swing the board out forward?
A major challenge is establishing the correct sliding position. If the technique is not executed appropriately, you may struggle to rotate the board to a full 90 degrees while rolling.
The reason is simple: when your full body weight is pressing directly onto the board, it becomes extremely difficult to move it.
Reduce pressure by raising your body before swinging the board
To rotate the board effectively, crouch first and then raise your body before initiating the movement.
This motion temporarily reduces the pressure applied to the wheels, thereby decreasing friction and allowing the board to swing out more freely.
Shift your weight backward to stabilize the slide
At the same time, begin shifting your weight backward. You need experience and practice to judge how far you need to lean backward depending on the roughness of the ground.
Sliding and getting out
Keep your weight shifted backward
While sliding, maintain your center of gravity behind the board to sustain the motion for a longer distance.
In addition, both feet must apply equal pressure to keep the board at the correct angle throughout the slide.
How to exit a powerslide
As you approach the end of the slide, gradually release the pressure applied by your back foot. Your front foot and the board still carry forward momentum.
Once the back-foot pressure is removed, the board naturally pivots back toward its original direction of travel.
