Is street luge the ultimate lazy bugger’s adrenaline sport? Well, it’s all done lying down at over 100kph. Sound good so far? Maybe not. Tarmac hurtles by just 10 centimetres from your sensitive nether regions as you are balanced precariously on an oversized skateboard.

Race courses are generally short sections of mountain roads but races have been held on city streets closed down for the event.

Street luging evolved from skateboarding. Skateboarders found they could reach faster speeds while laying down, rather standing on their boards, and so evolved the street luge.

The first professional race was held at Signal Hill, California, through authorisation of the U.S Skateboard Association. The objective was to gain top speed to win the race.
Unfortunately by 1978, the numerous amounts of injuries incurred to the racers taking part in the event stopped the Signal Hill event. So, of course, the activity was forced underground in order to be continued. Underground and pro races were held in the 1980s and ‘90s by organizations like Underground Racers Association (URA).

Equipment and safety gear is needed for street luging. Luge boards must adhere to the rules set by different governing bodies of street luging. Riders taking part in legitimate racing events are also required to wear safety gear such as a hard shell helmet with chin strap and face shield or goggles, leather or Kevlar racing suit and gloves, and strong shoes.

There are even nut-jobs who have strapped rockets to luges in order to break the 100mph (160kph) mark. (Click here to see.)

After a short stint in the X-Games and Gravity Games street luging was eventually pushed out to make way for more stadium-based events. With over 1200 active street luge riders in the world, this is one you might be inclined to call a minority extreme sport.