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SoulArc Skateboard unlike anything else on 4 wheels
By Allan Chochinov - Aug 22, 2008
No one would blame you for calling it the SpringBoard, but the SoulArc Board is a brand new skateboard with a rigid top and below-deck composite spring that provides the action and feel of surfing (and shredding). A result of a class project at Kendall College of Art and Design, the board is the brainchild of Mitch Mulder, who partnered with Salvaore Vilardi to bring the board to market. It'll be introduced in a couple weeks at the Action Sports Retail trade show in San Diego at the Surf Expo in Orlando. (The name comes from the surfing expression "soul arch"--being one with the wave.)
Comments Mulder, "I've been making boards for 8 years and got sick of riding planks. With this board, you can ride in places you typically can't ride." And what does it really feel like? "You've gotta ride it to really understand it," answers Vilardi. Well, that Core77 address is easy to ship to, guys.
Here's the official word: At the heart of this revolutionary design is the SoulArc performance spring. The performance spring absorbs and transfers energy in a manner similar to carving a wave. Extensive adjustments to size, shape and material selection have produced this latest generation of the SoulArc performance spring. The smoothness and feel of this ride is unmatched, as each directional movement interacts with the spring to provide a corresponding and complementary reaction. The end result is a board that provides a uniquely exceptional ride.
Then some of the rigor: Each performance related variable was considered. Extensive ergonomic testing was performed to determine the optimal board height. Quantifiable variables included ground distance, lateral flex and vertical flex. These quantifiable variables were then analyzed and compared to qualitative measures that included ride feel, torque response and general overall ride ability.
First samples of the device are going out right now. If you want to try to get your hands on one, hit the website.
Tons more pics and video of the board in use after the, uh, jump.
| New type of skateboard |
Allan Chochinov
Allan Chochinov is a partner of Core77, a New York-based design network serving a global community of designers and design enthusiasts, and Chair of the new MFA in Products of Design graduate program at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Allan lectures around the world and at professional conferences including IDSA, AIGA and IxDA, has been a guest critic at various design schools in including Yale University, IIT, Carnegie Mellon, Ravensbourne, RMIT, University of Minnesota, Emily Carr, and RISD. He has moderated and led workshops and symposia at the Aspen Design Conference, the Rockefeller Center at Bellagio, Compost Modern, and Winterhouse, and is a frequent design competition juror. Prior to Core77, his work in product design focused on the medical, surgical, and diagnostic fields, as well as on consumer products and workplace systems. He has been named on numerous design and utility patents and has received awards from The Art Directors Club, I.D. Magazine, Communication Arts, and The One Club.
10 Comments
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when for Europe?!Report as spam
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Mike,
Please e-mail me at: salvatore@soularcboards.com. I would love to talk about selling wholesale to your shop. We have gotten a lot of attention from your area. Hope to talk to ya soon.
Sam Vilardi!Report as spam -
Hi guys, looks like too much fun!! I own a surf and skate store in Perth, Western Australia. What is the deal with buying these to retail in my store? Do you have an agent in Oz? Can I buy a sample?!Report as spam
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mitch, I saw this and thought " I should send this to mitch," then I read more and realized it was you. Good to see this going to production.!Report as spam
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Captkey3s. The cost is $260. The website is: www.soularcboards.com. We are currently building an online store for direct orders. The site will be able to take orders Mid September.!Report as spam
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I want this board. where and how much please? Must Have!!Report as spam
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It was fun riding with Pieter. I still can't believe that was his first time he had done an ollie. To answer your question, Pellicci, we should be in full production in September. The boards are all made in the USA and well be available to the public in a month. We'll be launching a final website where you can order boards when production kicks in. It's a different ride for sure.!Report as spam
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Will, yes the boards are going into production. We will have product to ship the end of September. There is a waiting list for the first order of boards, so please e-mail me back if you would like to be put on the list. There are still a few boards available. My e-mail address is: salvatore@soularcboards.com!Report as spam
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Are these going into production, when, where and how much? They are amazing.!Report as spam
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Speaking from personal experience, this board is awesome. Such a smooth ride. Really fun on hills!
It was really fun watching my husband (the one in the light blue shirt!) and the designer try ollies in the street. I suggest everyone order one now :)
!Report as spam
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