Turn your skateboard into a snowboard
One of the worst things about winter, from a skateboarding perspective, is that wintry weather conditions and skateboarding do not mix. However, if you have an old skateboard lying around, you can convert it into a snowboard of sorts to give you something to do when the ground turns white.
First of all, you need an old skateboard. Don’t try to use a long board, as this will not work on the snow. It doesn’t matter if you are missing wheels or trucks, as these will be coming off anyway, as long as the board itself is intact. Also, don’t use a board that you are particularly fond of; as it is pretty hard to turn it back into a skateboard once you have converted it.
If the board is particularly worn, or you don’t like the design, you may want to paint it with a new design. Take off the trucks and sand down your board to reveal the wood underneath the paint. If you do not have access to an orbital sander, you can use a bit of sandpaper wrapped round a block of wood, although this can take a little bit of time. The quickest way to paint a skateboard is with a spray can, and if you want to add details you can use a stencil. Acrylic paint will also work, although you may need a few coats. Next, you will need to coat the painted board with five or six layers of clear varnish to protect your paintwork and give you a smoother ride through the snow.
Next, you will need to prepare your board for a fixed foot position. If you are unsure of which foot you tend to lead with when skateboarding, have someone push you from behind. The foot that you intuitively step forward with is your lead foot. Find a small hill to try out your board on to give you an inkling of where you will need to put your feet on the snowboard for the best balance. Once you have decided on good positions for your feet, mark the top of your board with chalk to note the exact positions.
Next you will need to fit some bindings to hold your feet in place. If you do not want to use bindings, simply take the grip tape off the areas that you have marked for your feet. However, if you are going to try anything more ambitious than a small hill, it is better to buy some bindings or attempt to make your own. Perhaps you may have a snowboarding friend that has an old pair of bindings that you can use. Finally, you will need a leash to connect your boots to the snowboard to prevent it from running away from you when you fall over. Take a strong lace or cable and nail one end to your board, loop the other end round one of your bindings or one of your boots, and hey presto – you’ve made a snowboard!
If you find that you enjoy snowboarding, you might want to head to a resort that offers better slopes than you will find in your local park. At the moment, Alpine Elements are offering some excellent snowboard and ski deals to resorts around the French Alps. You might want to hire some proper equipment while you are there though, as the Alpine slopes are no place for a converted skateboard!
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