Flowboard has lots of wheels, and it's more like riding a wave

By Katherine Nichols
Advertiser Staff Writer

The "flow lab system" might not mean much to skateboarders. But phrases like "taking it rail to rail" and "unparalleled smoothness" get attention.

Turbo Surf's Alika Gaspar shows the Flowboard. Flowboard costs: 42-inch, $180; 36-inch, $170; 32-inch, $165 Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser

"It mimics the sensation of surfing and snowboarding," said Norm Skorge, owner of Turbo Surf in Kapahulu.

The Flowboard is a regular skateboard with a few modifications. It sports 14 wheels — seven on each truck — in a curved pattern. Standing still on the wooden board covered from end to end with grip tape feels like balancing on a single in-line skating wheel. Because of this difference from a traditional skateboard, Skorge admitted that "it takes a little getting used to on the flats."

That's why guys ages 12 to 22 are heading for the hills with the Flowboard. The rider has the ability to take the board to a 45-degree angle with no resistance — and without losing wheel contact with the ground or sliding out. "It makes nice carves down the hill," said novice Flowboard rider Koa Young, who thinks the board will "catch on bigger" with the skating crowd. "It excels at making real hard turns."

The company has given the technology a catchy title: Deep Carve System.

But Deep Carve System is not something that can be appreciated in any store. "You need to be moving to get the feeling out of it," said Skorge.

Like surfboards and snowboards whose size dictates their specific use, the Flowboard comes in three different lengths: 32 inches, 36 inches and 42 inches. Skorge said the smaller boards can be taken to skate parks, but the larger one is for hill use only.

"It's good for (snowboard) training," said Skorge, "but beyond that it's just fun to get on with your buddies and hit a hill."