By Callum Ludwig
Victoria Downhill is hosting a major skateboarding and street luge event on Mt Donna Buang from 18 to 21 March, returning for the fourth time to the area.
The three days will feature free riding, six person skateboard racing and street luge racing on the all grip asphalt track down the mountain.
Event coordinator Julian Sherman said the track and event will be perfect for beginners to intermediates to become more confident in riding longboards at high speeds with other riders, particularly in a safe environment and no traffic.
Mr Sherman said the area will be a closed to traffic and the quality of the road will make it a good event to introduce people to downhill racing.
“It’s just wide open corners and the pavement is really good quality therefore they can learn how to ride comfortably at high speeds,” he said.
“It seems really intimidating, crazy or psycho but really like any other sport, it’s just like riding a bike. Hopefully, it can become a cultural icon of the area.”
Racers can expect to reach speeds of up to 90km/h coming down from the summit of Mt Donna Buang.
Safety will be paramount, Mr Sherman said competitors will be required to wear fly gloves, a full one-piece leather racing suit and certified full-face crash helmet, on top of the trackside efforts.
“When it comes to trackside operations we ensure that we cover up potholes and any obstacle that might cause a lot of potential injury or harm to a rider as well as hay bales either side of the road which are crash protection,” he said.
“We also have 12 course marshals who are paid volunteers, equipped with radio-operated communication spread across the track for if a rider crashes and to make sure any traffic on the road is reported and remains clear.”
The 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games were the first time any skateboarding was introduced to the games, and the downhill skateboarding community are trying to get more people engaged in the activity in the hope it could feature as an Olympic sport one day.
Accommodation for riders and marshals is being organised at the Warburton Holiday and Scouts Trail Centre, which offers tent camping, toilets, showers, kitchens, and BBQ facilities.
The event is being supported by the Australian Skateboard Racing Association and Victorian Skateboarding Association and filmed by Yarra Ranges Life TV.
