Types of Skateboard Ramps
When you look around in a skateboard park, you’ll notice that there are different ramps and other apparatus placed around. For a normal observer, these don’t have much for a purpose, but for someone who is at least aware of skateboarders, then these have seen the frequent use for skateboarding and other sports-related activity such as rollerblading and biking, and as such, are very important in a skatepark design.
Skatepark designs always include a good number of these parks, resourceful people can replicate these ramps in their own backyard. Using these ramps is called “street-style skating” because they emulate an urban environment when used.
There’s more than just the simple angled ramp. Skatepark builders have always ensured that these parks feature these different ramps.
1.) Half pipes – These are among the most popular, and a general icon when it comes to skateboarding. Half pipes generally consist of two-quarter pipes. During the early days, they were literally made from half a large pipe. But in the early 80s, it was at that time that they were upgraded by extending them to a flat ground between two-quarter pipes, giving them the appearance skaters know and love today. And while half pipes are often made out of tough wood, they can be made with concrete, and even dirt. Half pipes can also be made with snow for snowboarders to use.
2.) Vert ramps – While they’re known as vertical ramps, they’re more commonly as vert ramps because they go from a flat ground to a vertical wall. These ramps are generally fifteen feet in length, with six inches to three feet of verticality on the top. These are designed to help the rider shoot straight up to the top rather than forward like a ramp would do.
3.) Miniature ramps – Commonly known as mini ramps, these are basically the smaller version of a half pipe, measured at a standard six feet in height, but they can be as small as two to three feet high. And while these are used by riders for either a quick jump or as a launching point for some lip tricks, beginners can use them as a starter ramp, since they are not too high.
4.) Mega ramps – These large quarter vert pipes help launch skaters into the air. This was designed by Matt Hoffman, a famous BMX rider, in 1992. The tallest mega ramp ever recorded is 197 feet tall, and it is found at the infamous skateboarder Bob Burnquist’s own backyard!
5.) Quarter pipes – Lastly, these resemble a cross section of a pipe, but only a quarter. These are also commonly found in skate parks everywhere. These have a very steep transition from the metallic railing (called a coping) where it dips down at the ground. Skaters always use these ramps to launch themselves into the air and land on the platform where the coping is or immediately transition into a trick.
Your local skateparks are always a great place to practice on these skateboard ramps and pipes, or you can put together your own ramp, providing you have enough space in your backyard, and they’re sturdy enough to handle the weight and the strain. There are also skateboard ramps for sale in the market.