Snap decision to board down Baldwin St
SKATEBOARDING down the world’s steepest street was a snap decision for Zak MillsGoodwin.
The 26yearold, who is set to represent Australia at the World Skate Games later this year, had sightseeing in mind when went to Dunedin’s Baldwin St yesterday.
‘‘I didn’t really plan to do it or anything, I just wanted to check it out, but I decided to do it while I was there,’’ Mr MillsGoodwin said.
Although he carried his skateboard up the 350mlong street, he did not expect to use it as he had heard conditions were ‘‘sketchy’’.
He found the road smoother than expected and after a trial run from halfway up the street, decided to take it from the top.
During the five to sixsecond descent, he estimated he reached a speed of more than 80kmh before stopping with a quick turning manoeuvre.
The sensation was like flying, he said.
‘‘I had a great time doing it.’’
But the route was not for the inexperienced, not only because of its 34.8% gradient but also because of bumps in the road, he said.
‘‘The most challenging part of that hill is all the different connections of concrete.
‘‘They’re the bits that degrade and there’s significant gaps that really send quite significant jolts up through your board.’’
From the top of the street he had a good view of traffic to gauge conditions and also had two spotters, he said.
‘‘I was pretty confident with my ability to be able to get down, otherwise I don’t think I would ever attempt that. It’s all about evaluating the risk.’’
He might also have set a record, he said.
He knew of others who had skated Baldwin St from top to bottom, shifting their weight while descending to reduce speed.
To his knowledge he was the first to have ‘‘bombed it’’, skating straight and going as fast as possible.
He was travelling in New Zealand but was set to depart for Argentina to compete in the World Skate Games later this year, Mr MillsGoodwin said.
He had been selected to represent Australia in the skateboarding category.
‘‘I’ve been travelling all over the world to go to different places, skate the big roads and go really fast — it’s something I just really love doing.’’