Various designs of ramps and rails exist in the sport of skateboarding. Street skaters prefer to perform tricks on man-made street obstacles and enjoy skating rails down sets of stairs. Transition and ramp skaters prefer to execute tricks on man-made skateboarding ramps consisting of steep walls with vertical inclines. Modern day skateboard parks feature different types of ramps and rails for skater who enjoy skating all types of terrain.
Features
The mini ramp and half pipe feature a similar design consisting of a U-shaped ramp face. Both the mini ramp and half pipe have an area at the top of the ramp referred to as the "vert" section. This section of the ramp features a completely vertical incline. The coping of the mini ramp and half pipe, located at the top edge of the ramp, consists of a circular metal bar. The kick ramp consists of solid base which supports an inclined ramp usually constructed of plywood or hard plastic. The bottom of the kick ramp, known as the roll up, features a thin piece of sheet metal which allows the skater's circular wheels to smoothly roll up the ramp face. The bank ramp, considered the big brother of the kick ramp, has a similar design yet features a steeper inclined ramp. The quarter pipe ramp has a characteristic half U-shape with a metal coping on the top edge.
Function
Skaters jump off the top of the kick ramp to perform modern day tricks. Skaters roll to the highest point on the bank ramp, complete a trick and then roll back down the steep inclined face. The mini ramp and half pipe allow skaters to gain momentum by riding back and forth up the walls of the ramp. Skaters use the "vert" section of the half pipe, quarter pipe, and mini ramp to catch air while grabbing or flipping the skateboard. Skaters slide and grind on handrails and flat bars with the wooden and metal areas located on the bottom of the board. Skaters grind across the coping of the half pipe, quarter pipe and mini ramp with the metallic trucks attached to the bottom of the skateboard.
Identification
Handrails refer to the metal or wooden rails located in the middle of stair cases which people use for support when walking up or down the stairs. Handrails can have a square or circular shape. The flat rail refers to the portable rails found in skateboard parks. The flat rail remains parallel to the ground and can also have a circular or square shape. The flat rail usually consists of two to three supportive legs.
Size
The mini ramp averages four to six feet in height while the half pipe has a standard height of 13 to 15 feet. Quarter pipes can vary in size depending on the amount of wood used in the construction process. Flat rails have an average length of six to eight feet. The size of the handrail depends on the number of stairs on the staircase.
Prevention
Skaters will inevitably fall at least once while attempting to skate the various designs of ramps and rails. Wearing the necessary safety equipment of knee pads, elbow pads and a helmet will prevent any serious injury from befalling on the skater.
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