Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I've been riding a StreetSurfing's Wave for a month, and I'm really having a great time with it. I thought to share my experience in some areas that new buyers may find useful.
Wave vs. Ripstik:
I chose Wave over Ripstik because I heard that it's easier to learn.
The claim was supposedly based on Wave's wider deck plate and shorter caster height. I tried my friend's Ripstik, and my conclusion is that it does not matter which. They are both good and easy to learn.
Having said that, there are noticeable differences in riding feels more than cosmetic. I felt that Ripstik was a bit more responsive, perhaps faster too. But it could be the ground surface or the wheel condition that made me feel that way. I liked the narrower deck plate on Ripstik, as it felt easier to position my feet. But I am very happy with the Wave, and these differences won't make me switch to Ripstik.
Wheel tread wear: *** UPDATED Dec. 8, 2008 ***
My rear wheel lost its tread 1/8" after 2 months, and the front wheel lost 1/16". I weigh 180lb, and used the board on sidewalks and blacktops for 1 hour/day on average for 60 days. When the wheel loses more than 1/8" in tread, it catches tiny debris on the ground, making it difficult to maneuver sometimes. I switched the front and rear wheels for a few weeks, and then replaced them both with new ones.
Caster problem (and the great customer support):
My Wave's rear caster became too wobbly to ride after 3 months of use. I wrote an email to info@streetsurfing.com the day before Thanksgiving. I got a reply the following Monday. They gave me two new replacement casters for free with a purchase of one wheel set, plus 15% discount. I received the shipment one week later. The problem is resolved.
This is an excellent customer support by StreetSurfing.
*** End of UPDATE ***
Exercise value:
My heart rate doesn't go up much even on up hills, so I can't say that it's a great aerobic exercise. I feel that my sense of balance has improved. My lower body (hips, knees, ankles) seem to be a bit more flexible now than before I started caster boarding.
I did have one big discovery. The mechanics of generating power to drive the caster board are similar to the ones to throw punches correctly.
I discovered this when I was struggling to drive the board on the first day. When I recognize the effective body moves, it became easier for me to drive it. I heard somewhere that the origin of caster boards comes from martial arts training tools. Whether it is true or not, I do see a connection between the two.
Ripple and Ripster for kids:
I saw a 6-year-old comfortably riding the Ripster one day. He told me that he started with Ripstik but he had trouble riding it, so he got the smaller board, i.e. Ripster. If a child is below 4 feet and weighs less than 50lb, Wave may be too big, too heavy. I'd consider Ripster or Ripple instead.
Protection gears to learn fast:
I highly recommend wearing a helmet, knee/elbow pads, and gloves/wrist guard when you first try to ride the board. They give you protection of course, but also the sense of security that allows you to overcome your fear. Once you get on the board a few times, you will quickly realize that it is not as hard as you think. Some people who tried my board without protection gears seemed to be too fearful of falling to actually get themselves on board in a proper manner.
Subsequently they gave up quickly, saying it was too hard.
You don't need to be young, fit or coordinated to ride a caster board.
Enjoy!
Click Here to see more reviews about: The Wave Original Street Surfing Board
Everyone's talking about the Wave street surfer inline action board, which blends the sensations of surfing, skateboarding, and snowboarding in a single fun design. The Wave--which runs on two wheels rather than four--gives you the ability to perform precision 360s in small spaces, carve downhill, and even ride uphill, making it a blast for riders of all ages. And, of course, riders can perform all manner of skating tricks, including manuals, board leaps, ollies, acid drops, kick flips, and more. The Wave is distinguished by a spring-oriented torsion bar that controls the flexible front and rear panels, along with a pair of fully rotating 360-degree wheels with ABEC-5 bearings. Once on the board, the rider merely twists his or her hips back and forth in an S-shaped motion to propel down the street, with no foot propulsion required. Even better, it takes only a few minutes to learn how to ride the Wave. Within a few hours, most riders will become proficient.
Riders needn't worry about the Wave's durability, as the platforms are made of a virtually indestructible ABS plastic, while the steel torsion bar never wears down. In addition, the 77mm wheels were selected based on a tenuous balance of durability and traction. The Wave measures 35 by 9 by 5 inches (W x H x D), weighs 10 pounds, and carries a one-year warranty.
Key Details:
Flexible platform for sharp turns and 360s
Two wheels with ABEC-5 bearings that rotate 360 degrees
Self-propelled
Helps improves balance, strength, and agility
Combines surfing, snowboarding, and skateboarding
Measures 35- by 9- by 5 inches
Weighs 10 pounds
250-pound weight capacity
About The Wave The Wave is the original Street Surfing board and the hottest inline action board. The Wave appeals to everyone, thanks to its innovative technology that combines the natural fluidity of surfing with the smooth maneuverability of snowboarding and skating into one new extreme board sport known as Street Surfing.
The Wave is an inline action board with two wheels that rotate 360 degrees, giving the rider the feeling and flexibility that is normally reserved for surfers and snowboarders. The Wave is also becoming popular with skaters who like the board's ability to do tricks, sharp turns, 360s, and the fact that the rider s feet never touch the ground. The board is propelled using core movements of the body, making for an excellent workout on top of being just plain fun. Learning to ride The Wave is easy and it doesn't require any prior skating, surfing, or snowboarding skills. It only takes about 15 minutes to become proficient.
Street Surfing on The Wave offers the rush that riders get from surfing, skateboarding, and snowboarding yet it is easy to do right in your own driveway. The Wave is so much fun that most riders don't even realize that Street Surfing is great exercise. The Wave works the core muscles and helps to build strength and improve balance. Not only is The Wave great exercise and easy to learn, it is also affordable and portable as you can take The Wave board just about anywhere.
Click here for more information about The Wave Original Street Surfing Board
