Strange But True: The Weird History of Boards: Surfboards, Skateboards, Snowboards, Wakeboards, and Other Wild Rides

Strange But True: The Weird History of Boards takes readers on a wild ride through the surprising history of surfboards, skateboards, snowboards, wakeboards, paddleboards, sandboards, mountainboards, hydrofoils, and more.Long before fiberglass, skate parks, ski resorts, and electric motors, people were already standing on wooden boards and asking one simple question: Can I ride this?The answer kept getting stranger.Discover how ancient Hawaiians rode massive wooden surfboards, how California surfers created "sidewalk surfing" with homemade skateboards, how snowboarders were once banned from ski resorts, how wakeboarders turned boat wakes into launch ramps, and how modern riders now skim across sand dunes, volcanic slopes, mountain trails, and even above the surface of the water on hydrofoils.Inside you'll find bizarre inventions, dangerous early equipment, rebellious athletes, strange competitions, technological breakthroughs, and the stubborn people who kept riding even when everyone else thought the idea was ridiculous.From roller-skate wheels nailed to boards to battery-powered boards that practically fly, this funny and fascinating history proves that humans will ride almost anything if you make it flat enough.Perfect for surfers, skaters, snowboarders, outdoor adventurers, sports fans, history lovers, and anyone who enjoys strange but true stories.