| Skateboard ramps refer to the apparatus created for | | | | on a mini ramp, you will have to Ollie to keep from |
| street style competitions, skateparks, and perhaps | | | | eating the ground when you go flying over the deck. |
| your backyard. Skateboarding while using ramps is | | | | Ollie won't be necessary when you move onto a vert |
| referred to as street style skating because ramps | | | | ramp since the vertical (vert) wall will send you |
| can emulate a "street" environment. | | | | straight up, not out. You'll find mini ramps at every |
| Some of the most popular styles of ramps include: | | | | skatepark because they work for beginners and |
| Half Pipes. Almost always made of wood, but can be | | | | experienced riders. |
| seen in concrete, dirt, and snow (for snowboarding). | | | | Mega Ramp. Created by famous BMX rider Mat |
| A half pipe consists of two quarter pipes. Years ago, | | | | Hoffman in 1992. It was a 21' tall quarter pipe vert |
| half pipes were just half of large pipes. It wasn't until | | | | that Mat used to launch himself up into the air (by |
| the early 80's that these pipes were extended by a | | | | using a BMX bike modified with a lawnmower engine |
| flat ground between the two quarter pipes. This flat | | | | for a boost). The tallest Mega Ramp is 197' tall. It is |
| ground section gives the rider time to build speed for | | | | located in professional skateboarder Bob Burnquist's |
| the next trick, as well as regain balance when coming | | | | backyard. |
| back down from a trick. | | | | Quarter Pipes resemble a quarter of the cross |
| Vert Ramps. Named because they go from flat | | | | section of a pipe. You'll find them in both |
| ground in the center to a vertical wall. Vert ramps | | | | skateboarding and snowboarding parks. Quarter pipes |
| are usually 10-15 feet, with six inches to three feet | | | | have a steep transition that starts at the ground and |
| of vert up top. The vert at the top allows for the | | | | ends at a metal rail called the coping. Use these |
| rider to catch more air than on a mini-ramp. The vert | | | | ramps to launch yourself into the air and land on the |
| at the top causes the rider to shoot straight up | | | | transition, or to grind and pull off stall tricks on the |
| instead of forward like on a mini ramp. | | | | coping. |
| Mini Ramps. A mini ramp is a like a half pipe, but much | | | | If you want to start skateboarding on ramps, try to |
| smaller (usually less than 6ft high). Mini ramps can | | | | find a skatepark in your area. Alternatively, you can |
| even be as small as 2-3' high. Most small ramps are | | | | try your hand and building your own ramp for your |
| designed with beginners in mind (not too high of a | | | | yard or street (watch for traffic!). If you don't have |
| fall!). Some of these ramps are built to suit | | | | any construction skills, you can buy your own ramps. |
| experienced riders as well who seek a steep ledge | | | | Pricing can be as low as $100 for a mini ramp, to |
| for lip tricks. | | | | several thousands of dollars for huge and elaborate |
| If you want to work on lip tricks, mini ramps are the | | | | setups. |
| way to go. This is because when pulling off air tricks | | | | |