This new way to surf doesn’t require any waves—just a lot of sand! Sand surfing is a major pastime in Namibia, the driest country in Africa.

Despite its name, sand surfing resembles snowboarding more than it does traditional surfing. Riders can hit the sand standing up, like on a snowboard, or lying on their stomach, like riding a sled down a snowy hill. Sand surfers can also reach incredible speeds—up to 50 miles per hour! That’s why sand surfers wear helmets, padding, and special shoes to help their feet stay on their boards.