What is a Flowboard?

The original Flowboard was invented by Pieter Schouton and Mike Simonian, two design students and snowboarders.

Pieter Schouten and Mike Simonian, two design students attending the Art Center College of Design in Vevey, Switzerland, might describe their pairing as roommates in 1993 as serendipity. Both snowboarders, and Mike a surfer since the age of 15, they became friends. One idea in particular emerged: A board that would perform like a snowboard, but on asphalt. The two inventors sought a solution that would give a rider the ability to execute more extreme angles while carving without resistance, offering fluid transitions edge to edge. In 1994, Simonian asked Schouten to spend time developing their ideas in Simonian's native California.

'Flow' was the common thread amongst the riding styles of surf, skate and snowboarding.

Because of its original and unique design, the Flowboard started to appear in many national magazines and a lively message board on the web site ensued. Exposure was helping to drive new riders to the sport, including two of the first "team riders" Mike Richardson and Kevin Krause, both from San Francisco. The two best friends were riding the hills of San Francisco like a ski resort and using the Muni buses and trains as their lift back up the hill.