Halston Rhodes gives us the lodown on the Dirtstar Army

Dirtstar Army started as a grassroots movement to help expose people to the sport of mountainboarding. We have been organizing free learn to ride sessions every summer so others can experience our sport. The learn 2 ride series has helped to increase awareness of mountainboarding around Salt Lake City since '02. We have seen up to 80 new riders at one learn 2 ride alone. The evetns are usually held in open grassy areas with small, medium, and large hills to ride depending on location. The founders of the Dirtstar are Van DeWitt, Halston Rhodes, and Samatha Burraston. The Dirtstar Army Salt Lake team is Casey Thomas, Millie Wallace, Mason Moore, Colleen Mooney, Paul Johns, and Stowe Brockbank. Anyone can be a dirtstar and be a part of the Dirtstar Army. All you have to do is mountainboard and have a good time, it's that easy.

How did the Dirt Star Army start and who's has been riding the longest?

Van DeWitt has been riding in Salt Lake the longest. He started in '98 riding XT Wheels and Salty Peaks and competing for them. He upgraded to the mountainboard and began his initial learn to ride events. During a learn to ride in the fall of '02 Halston Rhodes attended and tried the sport for the first time. The beginning of the '03 season Halston bought his first board and started riding with Van full time. Through out the years more people have joined the effort and we find even more new riders every year.


Where abouts do you ride, do you use the Park City bike dirt park much?

We have been riding the Park City dirt park since it was built. We bring beginner and novice riders there to improve their skills on the dirt. We have a good time when we are there. We have recently hiked around the dirt roads behind mainstreet where the old mines are. There are some really good hills with some amazing views. It is a more advanced area because of how steep the mountains are.

Are there any other crews or groups in the Salt Lake City? What do you do to get people involed in Mountainboarding?

We are the only organized group of mountainboarders in Salt Lake City. We offer private learn to ride sessions that can range in price depending on the size of the group and how long we are going to ride. We provide the free learn to rides every summer hold on average 3-5 events. Our private lessons are held on demand whenever we book appointments. We provde the Helmet, elbow pads, knee pads, wrist guards, and board for you to ride. We also provide professional instruction to any age or skill level of rider.

How do people get in contact with you?

If anybody is interested in getting involved check out  www.myspace.com/dirtstarslc

What would be the best way to try mountain boarding if you don't have a board or know anything about it?

Contact us and we will tell you everything you need to know. Or check out www.saltypeaks.com or www.mbs.com.

Tell me a little about the demographics of the Dirt Star army

The riders here range from 11 years old to in their 30's. Most of the aggressive riders are high school to college aged. We also have a high number of girls that ride with us. Half of us come from snowboarding and the other half longboarding. Mountainboarding seems to off the same things as those sports if not more creating a new community of riders.


This interview with Halston Rhodes was taken from a local salt Lake City news paper and edited for Remolition by Smilie.

Hbombr (Halston Rhodes) Shralpin about.

Dirt star Army putting some study time in at the Utah university.

And to finish with a  few pictures from a photo shoot some members of the Dirtstar did with a local news paper.