| Imagine soaring down a road in Dallas, Houston or | | | | healthy street luge riding and racing presence in many |
| elsewhere in Texas at 70+ mph while lying on your | | | | European countries. |
| back, just inches from the asphalt. That’s the | | | | In the mid 1990s, ESPN’s X Games introduced |
| sport of street luge, an extreme gravity-powered | | | | street luge to the world and the sport was originally |
| activity that involves riding a street luge board, or | | | | sanctioned by RAIL, then by the International Gravity |
| sled, down a paved road or prepared course. Street | | | | Sports Association (IGSA). NBC followed |
| luge is also known as land luge or road luge and, like | | | | ESPN’s lead and created the Gravity Games, |
| skateboarding, street luge takes balance and | | | | where the sport was sanctioned by Extreme Downhill |
| lightening quick reactions. The only difference | | | | International (EDI). Smaller events also appeared in |
| between street luge and the winter Olympic sport is | | | | Canada, South Africa, Australia, Switzerland, |
| the lack of snow and ice. Street luge was created in | | | | Germany, Sweden and the U.K. Qualification criteria |
| Southern California when downhill skateboarders | | | | for these events varied and was controlled by each |
| found they could reach faster speeds by lying down | | | | of the sanctioning bodies. |
| on their skateboards. But, like regular luge, the | | | | While no longer a sport in either the X Games or |
| concrete version picks its winners based on top | | | | Gravity Games, street luge is still a burgeoning sport |
| speed. | | | | in numerous countries, with competitions around the |
| In 1975, the first professional street luge race was | | | | globe. There are approximately 1,200+ active street |
| held at Signal Hill, California, hosted by the U.S. | | | | luge riders in the world. |
| Skateboard Association. The boards used in that race | | | | The actual street luge itself hasn’t changed |
| varied from basic skateboards to complex skate | | | | too much since the sport began. Street lugers still |
| cars, in which the rider was completely enclosed by | | | | ride modified skateboards in the prone position. The |
| plastic or fiberglass. At the time, the sport was not | | | | design of these boards is based on the rules set |
| referred to as “street luge,” but the | | | | forth from different governing bodies. Luge design |
| term luge was used to describe some | | | | elements include: |
| participants’ riding position. Most contestants | | | | 1. The use of lean-activated steering skateboard |
| stood up, however an opening in the rules enabled | | | | style trucks. |
| riders to choose their on-board position -- including | | | | 2. The prohibited use of mechanical brakes. |
| prone. By 1978, repeated injuries to both riders and | | | | 3. Front and rear padding. |
| spectators halted the races at Signal Hill. | | | | 4. Length, width and weight restrictions -- details |
| Several dedicated riders from the Signal Hill races | | | | depend on sanctioning body. |
| kept the sport alive by continuing to hold races in | | | | 5. The prohibited use of parts that enclose the |
| Southern California. Throughout the 1980s and into | | | | rider’s body or hinder braking. |
| the early 1990s, both underground and professional | | | | Current street luge boards are made from many |
| races continued to be held in Southern California by | | | | materials including steel, aluminum, wood, and carbon |
| such organizations as the Underground Racers | | | | fiber. The majority of the street luge boards are |
| Association (URA), the Federation of International | | | | custom made, although commercial models are also |
| Gravity Racing (FIGR) and the Road Racers | | | | now available. Actual board designs can vary, as the |
| Association for International Luge (RAIL). Race | | | | construction rules are extremely open and allow for |
| organizers in the 1980s and 1990s started | | | | numerous design considerations. |
| implementing many more equipment, safety and race | | | | Riders participating in sanctioned racing events are |
| regulations. | | | | required to wear safety equipment including: Hard |
| Meanwhile, in the early 1990s, some Austrian | | | | shell helmet with chinstrap and face shield or goggles; |
| skateboarders started sitting down on their | | | | leather or Kevlar racing suit; and leather or Kevlar |
| skateboards on the way back from teaching skiing in | | | | gloves |
| the Alps. This activity led to a classic style street luge | | | | Races are usually held on mountain roads but have |
| race in Austria, riding wooden boards closer to large | | | | also been held on city streets. Courses can range in |
| skateboards than the usual street luge, which is | | | | length from 0.5 to 3 miles (1 to 5 km) and vary in |
| heavier, longer, has larger wheels and more trucks | | | | layout, including the number and severity of turns. |
| than a skateboard or classic luge. There is now a | | | | |