Board Sports Spot Guide

Edit:  Please visit here for far superior mountain board spot guide...the post below is outdated (and a little bit rubbish)

Bringing together all the handy boarding spots into one handy guide, the ongoing 'Board Sports Spot Guide' is taking shape through Google maps.

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Swadlincote Ski & Snowboard Centre

Website

Location

Went here the other day with brother Rob for some snowboarding action. Cost us £15 for an hour and half with equipment hire included.
I've only riden at Tamworth Snowdome previously, so riding the artificial surface was a bit strange- felt similar to thick Velcro.
Apparently the trick is to ride like you would on ice and if you can ride here, then the real thing is a doddle. mmm.
Two lessons were taking place when we were there but other than that it was quiet. I assume that it may get busier towards christmas.
Friendly staff which is always a bonus.
We had to declare that we were both able to do linked turns in order to ride without instruction. Whilst linked turns were easily do-able at the snowdome, I found it a lot harder to do at Swadlincote. Non of the staff seemed to mind though and let me get on with the falling over.
Didn't bother with helmet. Just wore gloves and kneepads. Under the surface felt springy and I think the worst you can do is get a burn from exposed flesh on the surface. Despite this, on an earlier occasion, Robs gf managed to break both arms independantly there somehow so the risks are definetly there.
So, in conclusion, whilst I preferred riding at Tamworth Snowdome, with Swadlincote being closer to Derby and slightly cheeper (depending on offers), I will be back there soon.
Edit: Updates for spelling mistakes and to state the at peak times (December - Feb) the price goes up by £2 and the centre is much busier. I can also thoroughly recommend the option of a burger for an addition £1 on admission.

Spot Location - Alvaston, Derby - Freebord

As mentioned previously, I intend to include spot guides in the blog. No thoughts as yet on the best format so I may well edit this entire post at a later date. Anyways, lets give it a go:

Alvaston Bypass Underpass

Location <-Click
Surface Type: Pavement
Width: 5m approx
Surface Condition: Very Smooth
Steepness: Relatively Shallow
Board Used: Freebord
Run length: ~115m max (taken from google maps)
# of cars: None, it's all off-road
# of pedestrians: About 2 an hour
Skill Suitability: Beginners / Practice Session

To anyone thats done any kind of downhill boarding, this location will seem ridiculous, but being shallow, smooth, no cracks and extremely quiet, this is a perfect spot to learn to freebord. With two slopes, one steeper and short, the other shallower, longer and with a sweeping bend this spot allowed me to carve and to start practicing slides with almost no one around to bump into, and at no time get faster than was possible to run out of.

To the side of the path is small stones and drainage and grass so no worries about running wide. The underpass has a bit of broken bottles and rubbish but nothing too bad to ride over. If kids do loiter there, they are not there during weekday lunchtimes which is when I try to go. At 5-minutes drive from the office, it a great spot to get away from things and freebord in peace.

Parking is tricky with no official parking spots so I park just off the roundabout to the north west.

Video hopefully to come soon. Must find a way to work out gradient.

Contents

Re-reading through my initial post, I quickly realised that I didn't clarify what I would be blogging about. In brief, I fully intend to write about:

1 - Me. It's my blog so who better! Although I only intend at this stage to include board related items. This may change.
2 - Boarding, primarily mountain boarding, longboarding and freebording. This list of boards may increase or decrease as I latch myself onto 'the next big thing'.
3 - A spot guide to locations I have personally ridden. No thoughts yet on format or information contained, but this should iron itself out over time. Includes dedicated centres and free-riding.
4 - Descriptions of places I have visited that warrant a return visit with a board of some type.
5 - Response to feedback should I get any. hahaha.

Like all things of this nature, this is all subject to change, but so far so good.