Oceano Dunes isn’t your typical playground. Hier, sandboarding means hauling yourself up steep dunes, slapping wax on your board, and praying you don’t faceplant on the way down. It’s raw, exhausting, and addictive.
OCEANO, Calif. — Along California’s Central Coast lies a unique natural playground where thrill-seekers trade snow for sand: the Oceano Dunes. Known as the largest coastal dune system in California, Oceano Dunes State Recreatiegebied voor voertuigen (SVRA) offers a distinctive adventure—sandboarding.
Rising up to 200 voeten, the expansive dunes provide the perfect slopes for this emerging sport. In tegenstelling tot snowboarden, sandboarding requires no chairlifts; riders climb the dunes on foot, waxing their boards with paraffin to glide smoothly down the sandy slopes. The physical challenge of the climb is rewarded by exhilarating rides down the dunes, where speed and control depend heavily on waxing technique and board design.
Locally, the Oceano Surf Shack supports newcomers by renting sandboards and offering guidance, making the sport accessible to visitors of all skill levels. Sandboarding pioneers like Jack Smith, who helped popularize the sport in the 1980s, and Lon Beal, aka “Dr. Duin,” who invented modern sandboards and founded Sand Master Park in Oregon, have shaped the sport’s growth and culture.
But don’t get it twisted — sandboarding isn’t some cushy ride. The sand here is way tougher than snow, and waxing your board isn’t just a suggestion, it’s survival. Without a good layer of paraffin, you’ll be crawling down slower than a snail on a hot sidewalk. And once you hit the bottom, there’s no chairlift waiting to whisk you back up. You’re stuck hoofing it back up the dunes, which means you spend way more time climbing than flying down.
Nog altijd, that grind is part of the appeal. It’s a test of endurance and skill, and it builds a tight-knit community of riders who swear by the rush. The sport’s raw, no-frills vibe is what draws people in — from weekend warriors renting gear at local shops to die-hard fans inspired by legends like Jack Smith and Lon Beal.
Oceano Dunes isn’t just a place to ride; it’s a living, breathing scene where nature, zweet, and adrenaline collide. If you want to feel the wind in your face and sand in your teeth, this is where you come to get real.
Sandboard-locaties
Zandsport
 Sandboarden Zandsleeën Vulkaan instappen |  Zandskiën Zandvliegeren |  Zandvliegeren |  Woestijnreizen Woestijn kamperen Woestijn hardlopen |
Uw nummer 1 bron van informatie over de wereld van zandsporten en woestijnavontuurlijke reizen. Onze artikelen zijn het resultaat van uitgebreid onderzoek, persoonlijke ervaring, en kennisdeling binnen de wereldwijde sandboard-gemeenschap.