Sandboarding

A sandboarder does a jump on Fortaleza dunes.
Photo by Raphael Koerich.

Sandboarding is a recreational activity similar to snowboarding that takes place on sand dunes rather than snow-covered hills. For some, it involves riding across or down a dune while standing with both feet strapped to a board, while others use a board with no bindings. The latter method is considered much more dangerous than the former.

This boardsport has adherents throughout the world, but for obvious reasons tends to be most prevalent in desert areas, or coastal areas with beach dunes, notably the western U.S., some regions of South America, and North Africa and South Africa.

It is much less popular than snowboarding, partly because it is very difficult to build a mechanized ski lift on a sand dune, and so participants must walk back to the top of the hill after every run. On the other hand, dunes are normally available all year round, compared to winter-only snow sports.

Equipment

The sandboard base tends to be much harder than a snowboard, built mostly out of formica or laminex. To glide in the sand, the board bottom must be waxed, usually with paraffin, before a run.