LondonSkaters Speed Team - Speed Skating & Rollerblading Club in London

KarineM · Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2005 2:02 pm Subject: Has anyone made a slide board?

In the "Speed on skates" book Barry says it should be 8' long and I think 3' wide. Is this reasonable?

I had a quick slide on my wardrobe door and six foot seems to be a bit of a push.

Does anyone have any experience of slide boards.
What suggestions do you have?
What materials did you use for the pads?
etc.

Karine

Gav · Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2005 2:10 pm Subject:

how tall are you Karine?

The slideboard I have, that was made by nick mckenzie (one of the fastest skaters in the uk) is about 3m long. For me, that's how long it needs to be - I'm 6' 1".

Any shorter and I wouldn't have time to use a proper technique as I'd hit the other side too quickly! I tried a pretty crap roll-up one that was about 2m wide, and that was definitely too short.

That width is fine. The pads are made of very firm foam, covered with hardish plastic.

merten · Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2005 2:37 pm Subject:

I've got a building documentation in Skate-In, a German skating magazine. I can look it up and post a "quick and dirty" translation of it sometime if you fancy it.

KarineM · Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2005 2:46 pm Subject:

I'm 5'6" or 1m66

I have the building instructions in Barry's book.
So it's definately the size that I need to work out.

As I'm a beginner, maybe I'm not pushing hard enough on the wardrobe door. I dont have the end blocks and I haven't polished it either Embarassed

Gav · Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2005 3:01 pm Subject:

So 8ft should be perfect then. It will definitely need some polish! Once you get your balance right you should easily be able to slide right across with a firm push from the side.

It should be slippery enough so that if you tried to walk on it with whatever sock things you're using, you'd be worrying whether you slipped and fell Smile

lemming · Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Posts: 693 Location: Reading, UK

Think I'm gonna add one of these things to my to-do list.

Mikey-two-Names · Joined: 24 Feb 2004 Posts: 4107

Easy, I went into Wickes and bought an 8ft sheet of chipboard already coated with some kind of slidy surface. Two buffers for the ends, and Bob's your family relation.

merten · Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2005 9:25 pm Subject:

OK, I've had a look. The article says board size 240cm x 60cm. Use chipboard coated as smooth as possible, and antistatic spray prior to training on it. Trainers with a wool sock over it and there you go.

KarineM · Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2005 9:04 am Subject:

Thanks for the info.

Karine

Andy 27 · Joined: 10 May 2005 Posts: 20 Location: Leicester

Hi

8ft long is the optimal size for most skaters.

2ft wide is enough but can be wider.

I use trainers with a Lycra Overshoe which you can make very easily.

Remember to fasten it to the floor some how as they slide all over the place, especially if you get some power going on it.

Also buy a Metronome for the best training, very easy to up your speed progresion.

Andy

Anne-Jelmer · Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2005 2:51 pm Subject:

Here is an example of the boards used by DSV de Skeuvel.
The one in the back has an ajustable bar.
I would recommend to make it wider then 2 feet. In that case you run a low risk of ending up on the floor even if your training at a high pace.
These were made by the boatsman of the student rowing club.
All high quality woods, (heavy)

And a mirror is also something to think about, in that case you can look in front of you and still see where your going.

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