Wes Sampson knows as well as anyone what goes up, must come down. And if the veteran longboarder has his way he’ll come down very fast. He’s the organizer of this weekend’s upcoming Mount Washington Downhill Race in Comox, British Columbia, and if all goes as planned he hopes to break the International Gravity Sports Association downhill skateboarding world speed record of 113.02 km/h.
Unlike traditional skateboards, this race is essentially like street luge, but standing up. Thus this can be a serious deal, and Canada.com reported that one longboarder lost year life just last month while riding down Mt. Seymour Road in North Vancouver. This week’s ride promises to be safer, as it is a sanctioned event, with traffic controlled on the Strathcona Parkway during the event.
Racers also are required to wear full protective leathers with built-in padding, full face helmets and slider gloves to allow them to slide on their hands for making sharp turns or to slow down. 60 riders are expected to take part in the Mount Washington Downhill Race, with heats of up to six riders. The action will begin at 9am.
We wish Sampson the best of luck in breaking the speed record, and more importantly hope all the riders have safe runs.