Can a skateboarder ride faster by holding a water bottle?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Devin-M
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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on whether a skateboarder can achieve greater speed by holding a water bottle while riding. Participants conclude that while holding a bottle may provide some balance leverage, it does not contribute to increased speed. The weight of the bottle introduces asymmetry that complicates balance, and the overall mass of the rider makes the effect of the bottle negligible. Ultimately, the consensus is that no additional mass will enhance speed, as performance is primarily determined by the rider's technique and balance.

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  • #121
Leg sweep leads to backwards tilting torque:

IMG_7819.jpeg
 
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  • #122
Devin-M said:
...pushing the body forward below center of mass causes backwards tilting torque.
Which is why your knees are bent and you're in a slight crouch whenever you're riding a board. Because skateboarding is nothing if not moving your body in relation to the CoM.

You don't need a 355g weight; you have a 70,000g weight.
 
  • #123
Devin-M said:
That’s only if the other foot has friction (standing). On a skateboard the wheels are free to roll forward under the front foot, so pushing the body forward below center of mass causes backwards tilting torque.
I'll meet you halfway with a 'maybe'. There is some friction on the wheels (especially on rough cement/concrete) that may or may not be significant.
 
  • #124
Devin-M said:
That’s only if the other foot has friction (standing). On a skateboard the wheels are free to roll forward under the front foot, so pushing the body forward below center of mass causes backwards tilting torque.
But again, unlike the leg sweep the force is not directly forward, it's forward and up.

I think at this point we're just going in circles, so I think it is best to end it.
 
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