Flowboarding (sometimes spelled Flow Boarding) is a sport where a rider uses a specially made board in order to surf on an artificially made wave.

Flowboarding is a relatively new sport that combines board design, tricks and techniques from various sports like surfing, skateboarding and wakeboarding. Apparatuses called FlowRiders create sheet waves that flow over a smooth surface, replicating the shape of ocean waves. Riders can perform moves and tricks found in other board sports while riding sheet waves.

Ride and perform tricks on artificially created waves.

There are no written or standardized rules for flowboarding, except those in place during competitions. Board usage and foot position is dependent on the rider, as bodyboards and flowboards ridden in various ways are both common and acceptable.

Flowboarding was developed in the late 20th century as an artificial alternative to board riding. This was made possible by the invention of the FlowRider, an apparatus designed to create and contain sheet waves. Popularity began to spread in the early 1990's, when the first mainstream FlowRider was installed at Schlitterbahn Water Park in Texas. Today, more than 80 FlowRiders are installed around the world, and world championships are held in San Diego annually.

Bodyboard
Flowboard
FlowRider

Though a relatively safe sport, one must use caution to avoid face and head injuries when falling off the board.

A good sense of body control and balance is helpful to a rider, as is experience in performing tricks on a board.

Bodyboard - small rectangular boards made of foam

Flowboard - similar to a wakeboard, with a foam core wrapped in fiberglass, with a soft vinyl edge; comes with foot straps are optionally worn

Sheet Waves - three-inch layer of water pumped at 20 to 30 mph across a smooth surface

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flowboarding