ENCINITAS, Calif. — A longtime surfer has designed a new way to ride a skateboard uphill. In this Zevely Zone, I went to Cardiff by the Sea to test ride the future of sidewalk surfing. Just when you thought the skateboard couldn't be reinvented, innovation strikes again.
Connecticut-born Chris Corrente loves anything and everything on wheels. The 48-year-old design daredevil started surfing and skateboarding at a young age and dreamed of more.
He calls his new invention a skateboarding game changer. "This is the Kuwmaz Carve Ultra Light," said Chris.
For the past 15 years, Chris has been perfecting a new type of skateboard called the Kuwmaz Carve System. It's a board riders can carve uphill.
"Yes, that is the unique feature," said Chris. To demonstrate, Chris rode the board uphill in the bike lane along Highway 101. Chris calls it tick-tacking. Using the flex of the board along with his patented suspension plates and leaf springs, he showed us how to ride the board uphill.
"These plates are spring-loaded and this turn buckle and bushing assembly act as I want to call it - an organic novelty. It's maybe the last thing that is not battery-powered or combustion-powered and it really gets down to the essence of surfing," Chris said. He told us you'll feel as if you're surfing while getting a great workout.
Chris has lost 85 pounds riding his Kuwmaz Carve System.
"Get a little bit of speed," said Chris as he showed teenager Lucas Rofhok, a beginning skateboarder, how to ride it. "There you go, heal side turn, yeah. That's it," said Chris.
Lucas hopped off the board with a smile and said, "Just starting off by learning that it was really simple...and it's like really smooth, also."
Smooth is exactly how I'd describe the board as well. "Alright, I'm feeling that now," I said as I got the hang of it.
Back in the 1940s, when skateboards were invented, longtime La Jolla resident Carl Ekstrom was there. I asked him what he thought about the new design.
"Oh it's just fantastic. I mean this is just amazing," said the 82-year-old. "To see the way the thing flexes and comes back, it's really very dynamic."
You may not be able to reinvent the wheel, but thanks to Chris Corrente skateboards are still on the road to improvement.
Depending on your height, weight, and riding ability, Chris custom makes the boards starting at $600.
The Kuwmaz Carve System can accommodate riders up to 350 pounds. For more information about the boards, you can call Chris Corrente at 760-607-7487 or send him an email at carveultralight@gmail.com.
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