Ascension : Gravity Never Fails
Submitted by The Islander (Gavin Yon) 20.12.2007 (Article Archived on 03.01.2008)
Bob Swartz, age 48, from Waldorf, Maryland USA, visited the island this past week on a survey mission for the Navy, and brought along one of his toys to play with on his off time.
Bob Swartz, age 48, from Waldorf, Maryland USA, visited the island this past week on a survey mission for the Navy, and brought along one of his toys to play with on his off time. Bob is a professional Gravity Sports competitor, specializing in the extreme sport of street luge. A street luge is a long skateboard that is ridden in the prone position at speeds up to 80 mph just one inch from the asphalt, in head to head competitions with as many as 6 racers screaming down steep mountain roads to be the first to cross the finish line. Street Luge has all the element of auto racing such as drafting, turning, passing and strategy but without an engine or braking system. That’s right; Bob uses his feet to stop from speeds of 60 mph in just 30 foot distance in a cloud of smoke with tire rubber glued to his racing shoes.
Bob’s has enjoyed a 12 year career in the sport, chasing world cup points racing around the globe with a season best of 13th in 2001. He has raced in the ESPN X-Games, NBC Gravity Games and many Red Bull events and has been featured in several televised documentaries. In an effort to promote the sport to prospective sponsors and spectators, Bob invented the worlds first Jet Powered Luge that could be demonstrated on flat race tracks and air shows. The computer controlled 52 lbs thrust gas turbine engine powers Bob down the track and up hills at speeds near 120 mph with a display of fire and smoke. He is licensed by the IHRA and is hired to provide entertainment between drag racing classes. He formed his company under the name of Blue Smoke Racing LLC to promote the sports, teach new riders and also volunteers his time in high schools science classes, using the gravity sports and the Jet Luge as examples to augment and enhance lesson plans in various physics topics.
While preparing for his trip to Ascension Island, Bob discovered the unique topography on Google Earth, and decided to bring some of his practice equipment. Prepared with full racing leathers, helmet, gloves, rubber-soled shoes, Bob was treated to what he expected on his arrival, but with a few twists. The roads with bumps and hole’s were extremely abrasive to his wheels and shoes with the rolled volcanic clinker. This caused his board to vibrate and made more smoke in turns and braking than he has ever seen. Bob tasted the gravity on the island and likes it so much he traversed the downhill from the Old NASA site, into the base and down to the ocean on his lay down skateboard, covering the 8.4 miles in 32 minutes and 24 seconds, touching speeds that we will not mention. This could be considered a record, since he is the first to ride gravity only powered on the island, of any distance or speed.
As the international ambassador of the sport, Bob could not leave without sharing the experience and adrenaline rush with at least one resident of the island. Upon arrival, Bob was informed that there was one local downhill junkie that may want to give it a go. He met up with Frances Dixon of CSR who did not hesitate to accept the challenge. After a few short lessons Frances took to the NASA road for her experience where she proved herself to be a natural born “luger” with ear to ear smiles and totally burned out and melted shoes.
When Bob was asked if he would ever ride Green Mountain or Cross Hill, he just smiled with his thumbs up saying that he will taste that gravity when he returns. Visit Bob’s Website at www.jetluge.net.
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