Mountain Boarding at Bugs Boarding

One of our latest adventures took us to Bugs Boarding in Gloucester, where Gabriel got to try mountain boarding for the very first time. We had originally planned for him and his friend to spend the day grass sledging, but as luck would have it, we arrived early in time to watch the 2023 Mountain Boarding World Championships, which were being held there that weekend. Gabriel was mesmerised by the skill, and daring of the competitors flying down the slopes, and I could see his curiosity growing with every trick.

When it was finally time to pick up their equipment, Gabriel couldn’t take his eyes off the mountain boards stacked nearby. Without missing a beat, he asked if he could give mountain boarding a go instead. After a quick chat with one of the instructors, we agreed that he could try an introductory session, and before long, Gabriel was being fitted with a board.

The instructor showed him the basics, and Gabriel took to it almost immediately, applying what he knew from skateboarding to this new sport on wheels. With some guidance, he quickly picked up the stance, balance, and steering needed to navigate the grassy hills. By the end of the session, he was confidently gliding down the slopes, excited and ready for more.

Before we knew it, Gabriel and his friend were mountain boarding and grass sledging, racing up and down the hills and making friends with the other kids along the way. Their faces lit up every time they hopped onto the trailer for a lift back up the hill—a welcome break from the climb that allowed them to ride down as many times as they wanted.

It was a fantastic day, filled with new skills, new friends, and the thrill of trying something completely different. By the end, Gabriel was tired but beaming with pride, thrilled to have discovered a new passion and already asking when we could come back. It was a reminder of how quickly kids embrace new experiences when given the chance, and I couldn’t have been prouder of his adventurous spirit.