The Exhilaration and Skills of Ramp Skateboarding

The Excitement of Ramp Skateboarding

Skateboarding on ramps brings an exciting new dimension to this classic extreme sport. As ramp rats know, catching big air off the lip of a vert ramp or nailing a grind down a handrail provides a huge adrenaline rush. With the right skills and safety precautions, ramp skateboarding can be thrilling for skaters of all levels.

The Allure of Ramps

For many skaters, skating ramps is the ultimate goal. Riding on transition surfaces like ramps, bowls, and pools allows you to get airborne and perform aerial tricks, which is often viewed as the pinnacle of skateboarding. The curve of the ramp literally launches you into the air once you reach the lip, letting you soar high above the deck.

Ramps also provide new challenges not found in street skating. You can grind and slide along the coping at the top of the ramp, which takes precise balance and control. The transition itself requires you to constantly shift your weight as you move back and forth across the curve. Mastering ramp skateboarding means mastering your center of gravity.

Types of Ramps

There are two main types of ramps in skateboarding:

• Half-pipe - An iconic U-shaped ramp with vertical transitions on both sides. Half-pipes are a staple of vert skating.
• Quarter-pipe - A one-sided ramp transition that doesnt loop back around. Quarter-pipes can be found in skateparks or built into street features.

Vert ramps have vertical walls and steep transitions, allowing you to soar up to 10-15 feet above the deck. Mini-ramps have more mellow transitions that are easier to skate for beginners. Many skateparks also have funboxes - rectangular ramp structures with multiple transitions and rails.

Learning Basic Ramp Skills

Before dropping into a half-pipe or blasting air out of a vert ramp, youll need to build fundamental ramp skills. Start on mellower quarter-pipe transitions and mini-ramps to work on your kickturns, rock fakies, axle stalls, and tail stalls. Focus on controlling your speed and finding your balance as you move back and forth across the transition.

Practicing on smaller ramps will prepare you for the steeper transitions of larger vert ramps. Work your way up gradually to get used to the increased speed and air time. And of course, always wear safety gear - helmet, pads, gloves - when sessioning ramps.

Intermediate and Advanced Ramp Techniques

Once you're comfortable on mini-ramps, you can start expanding your bag of tricks. Some popular intermediate ramp techniques include:

• Pumping - Generating speed by pushing inwards and downwards as you move across the transition.
• Carving - Slicing back and forth across the ramp to maintain speed.
• Slash grinds - Grinding sideways on the coping rather than straight on.
• 5-0 grinds - Grinding only your front trucks on the coping while lifting the tail.

For advanced vert skaters, ramps are the perfect place to pull off big airs, inverts, spins, and flips. Some iconic advanced vert ramp tricks include:

• 720 air - Spinning twice in the air above the lip.
• McTwist - An inverted 540 aerial spin popularized by Mike McGill.
• Alley-oop airs - Airing from the lip back up the transition.
• Kickflip Indy - Kickflipping into a hand plant grab.

Finding Your Local Skate Ramps

Every skateboarder dreams of having their own personal vert ramp or mini-ramp in the backyard. For most of us, though, the easiest way to gain access to ramps is by visiting your local skateparks. Many parks have designated street sections as well as separate mini and vert ramp areas.

You can also keep an eye out for makeshift ramps built on private property around town. Sometimes skilled builders will construct illegal ramps in empty lots or behind buildings. While this can provide a place to session if you're respectful, keep in mind that these DIY spots often get demolished once discovered.

If there aren't any suitable public ramps in your area, consider rallying with your skater friends to approach the city about building a new skatepark. Attending town hall meetings and proposing DIY building plans can help get the wheels rolling on creating a new public skate spot with ramps.

Ramp Safety

While insanely fun, ramp skateboarding also comes with risks if you don't take proper safety precautions. Here are some tips to skate ramps safely:

• Always pad up with a helmet, elbow/knee pads, and slide gloves.
• Know your limits and start small until your skills progress.
• Make sure the ramp surface is clean and free of debris.
• Don't snake other skaters - take turns and call out drops.
• Stay hydrated and avoid skating when overly fatigued.

Following skatepark etiquette and being aware of your abilities will help you have an awesome and injury-free session on the ramps.

Master the Ramp Rats Style

Once you've built up your ramp skills, you'll be ready to master the unique style of ramp skaters. Here are some tips to skate like a true ramp rat:

• Go big on airs - gain speed and pop high out of the transitions.
• Get vertical - grind, stall, and air straight up the vertical walls.
• Lock into grinds - approach ledges and coping fast and commit fully.
• Carve powerfully - dig deep into your carves and generate speed.
• Make it flow - string together lines blending airs, grinds, lip tricks, and plants.

Ramp skating has a smooth, flowing, aggressive style. The more speed and confidence you can carry into your run, the better it will look. As you drop in and bend those knees, embrace your inner ramp rat!

FAQs

What are the main types of skateboarding ramps?

The two most common types of ramps are half-pipes and quarter-pipes. Half-pipes are U-shaped vert ramps with transitions on both sides, while quarter-pipes have a single sloped transition side. There are also smaller mini-ramps and funboxes with multiple transitions.

What are some beginner skills to learn on ramps?

Beginner ramp skills include kickturns, rock fakies, pumping, carving, axle stalls, tail stalls, and slash grinds. Focus on controlling your speed and balance before trying more advanced airs and tricks.

What safety gear should you wear when skating ramps?

Always wear a helmet as well as elbow, knee, and slide gloves when skating ramps. Safety gear protects you during falls and accidents at high speeds.

How can you find local skateparks with ramps?

Look online for skateparks in your area. Many have sections with designated mini-ramps, vert ramps, and funboxes. You may also find DIY ramp spots, but be respectful as these are often demolished.

What's the best way to maintain speed on ramps?

Pumping your legs and aggressively carving back and forth across the transition are key techniques for generating and maintaining speed on a ramp.