Skateboard Ramps

Skateboard ramps let us do tricks that we would not be able to do without. A rail will let us do grinds and slides. A quarterpipe lets us carve and launch into the air. Here is will tell you about the main skateboard ramps.

We all want to skate something. Sometimes there isn't anything good to skate where you live. You saw a sweet ramp on a video and want to do the tricks they do on it but first you need the terrain. I will show you the simplest way to build, buy and get skateboard ramps.

This is the place to find out all you need to know the skate the best skateboard ramps.

Start with skateboard ramp plans. I give general information on ramp plans. This will help you build them right so they last a long time.

The basic ramps

Building Skateboard Ramps

  • Rail – A short flat handrail. A rail will let you do any of the sliding and grind tricks that you want.
  • Ledge – A ledge or bench will let you do most sliding and grinding tricks with ease. They are a little easier to skate than a rail because there is only one side to balance one rather than two.
  • Jump Ramp – A launch or jump ramp will propel you into the air. It lets you go higher and farther.
  • Quarterpipe – The is the curved wall that lets you do a trick at the top and then roll back down.
  • Halfpipe - Two quarterpipes facing each other with a bit of flat are between each wall. This lets you flow between tricks and is fun.
  • Other stuff - There are tons of combinations and other interesting ramps too.

I love to build things. Some of my first attempts at skateboard ramps were terrible. Every time you try, you learn and get better.My first attempt at a halfpipe was Scary.
But it did work.

I have tried a lot of different ways to build and skate skateboard ramps. Over the years I have made many ramps. Some full skateparks other made of materials scavenged from the alleyways. I have designed blueprints for skateparks and had many obstacles professionally made.

With all the experimentation I have come to two conclusions. You need to have a place to build and skate ramps your ramps
or you need portable ramps to skate anywhere.

Both come with Pros and Cons:

Permanent Ramps

Advantages

  • Always there to skate
  • Private
  • Exactly what you want

Disadvantages

  • Higher cost
  • Need a place to put it
  • Neighbours not liking them
  • Keeping others from skating it

The concrete DIY parks are a whole other animal of raddness that not all us would be able to do. They are worth mentioning.

Portable Ramps

I have a launch ramp and many many rails over the years. The problem I had was that I could not get them from where I stored them to a place to skate them easy. This meant they didn’t get skated as much I wanted to.
The other problem is that they always got stolen. I have had 4 skate rails stolen over the years.

The Element Drop Spot ramps look pretty useful. They fold up and can be rolled around on your board. I have the Drop Spot Rail and it works great.

Advantages

  • Cheap
  • Use it when you need it
  • You can set them how you want it. On flat or down a drop

Disadvantages

  • Theft
  • Transport
  • Getting kicked out of the spot you choose to skate

Where do I go from here?

You need to decide whether you want a permanent ramps or portable. If you are going to buy them or build them.

I have recommendations for getting the most out of whatever you decide. Soon I will add to this

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