Skateboarding is a hugely popular pastime in America. Skateboarding had a lasting resurgence in Southern California in the '70s after many had proclaimed it a dead fad. Since then an industry has arisen from this underground street sport, but it has retained its roots through the homemade ramps of its innovative young enthusiasts.
Types
There are many types of skateboarding ramps that have been developed over the years for many types of tricks and competitions. Huge elaborate skate parks are constructed in warehouses where skaters can transition from one type of obstacle and ramp to the other in long flowing sessions. The Municipal Research Services Center of Washington describes some of the ramps that its skate parks contain. They include half pipes, quarter pipes, launch ramps, vert ramps and spine ramps. Other obstacles include table tops, fun boxes and grind rails. Almost all of these structures can be built at home by skating enthusiasts.
Frame
When beginning to build a skateboard ramp, it is important to start with a strong and well-planned skeleton built of quality two-by-four and two-by-six lumber and plywood. Frame out the ramp according to the design of your choosing. Curved areas can be achieved with closely spaced two-by-fours in parallel that then have connecting plywood attached over them creating a curving sub-surface for your ramp. Nails may be used in this construction, but Skate-City recommends screws driven with an electric drill to assure the connection is secure and no heads are protruding from the ramps surface to ruin the ride.
Surface
Once the ramp is framed and a sub-surface of plywood is laid down, a final, skate-friendly surface needs to be laid down for a high performance ramp. If budget is a concern, you can use a high-grade plywood or a material called masonite board, an affordable surface often used in earlier ramps with good performance, but that does not weather well. If possible, obtain materials like those offered by Ramp Surface, such as Skatelite or Ramp Armor. These surfacing materials are expensive, but the offer high-quality riding surface that performs exceedingly well and can withstand the environments.
Coping
At their upper edges, where skaters perform tricks, transitions and stalls, most ramps have what is called coping. Coping is a rounded surface that both facilitates lip tricks and is more durable to withstand its punishing position on the ramp. Ramp Plans recommends metal pipe or angle iron, which can be attached with high grade adhesive or screws, as the best material for coping. Plastics such as PVC pipe can serve as well, though they are not as durable. Also recommended: use one long piece of coping whenever possible, as seams where shorter pieces are attached can create hazardous hang-ups that interfere with tricks.
Safety
Though a fun sport that can provide years of learning, excitement and challenge, skating is sport that carries serious risk of injury. Skaters should always wear protective gear such as helmets, knee and elbow pads and wrist guards to protect against injury. This is especially important when performing tricks and maneuvers on ramps. Before riding a ramp, be sure to patrol the surface for protruding screw or nail heads, surfacing separations or uneven coping seams that can cause accident and injury.
Member Comments