Skateboarders love to do different tricks when skateboarding. There the ramps come in handy. Skateboard ramps come in different shapes, sizes, and banks. There are more or less 15 types of skateboard ramps you can find out there.
The numbers are there to give you an idea of how versatile the ramps can be. And the skateboarders are always up for inventing new patterns and slope designs. In this article, we’ll talk about various types of skateboard ramps and what tricks they are helpful for.
Short View of This Content
What Are Skateboard Ramps?
Ramps are mostly seen beside the staircase as an alternative to staircases for wheelchairs. These are inclined surfaces that slide down from a high level to a low level. They are also used for other wheeled vehicles to provide easy access between vertical platforms. Skateboard ramps are outdoor slopes that the skateboarders use to do skateboarding tricks.
Different Types of Skateboard Ramps-
Here’s a short description of every type of skateboard ramp you may find out there.
Pyramid Ramp
Pyramid ramps are combination ramps, usually four-sided. They have a typical pyramid-like design, except the top is cut off. Instead, there is a platform that can be used for flat landing and flip tricks.
These ramps can have flat sides or transitions. You can skate from any side of the ramp. These are also called kicker to kicker, or double box jumps, as there are two or more banked ramps included to make the pyramid ramps.
Launch Ramp
Launch ramps are the most common skateboard ramp type you’ll see. It’s a very basic slope with a curve. The curve is usually 60° though it could be less. Launch ramps can be used for gap setups, keeping a gap in between two slopes. You can do flip tricks on them. You would find both portable and attached versions around the skateparks.
Bowl Ramp
The skaters used to use in-ground pools, or something like a bowl, enclosed from four sides to do the tricks. Hence the name is bowl ramp. The bowl might have a circular or flat bottom. The bowl ramps come in many shapes and sizes and are either made of wood or concrete nowadays. The skaters pick up a good speed quickly in a bowl.
Wave Ramp
Wave ramps are symbolized as a wave. This ramp has a continuous rising and falling pattern. The skaters can get a feeling of surfing when ramping on this one. The wave ramp starts at the ground level, forms a pick, and goes down to the ground level. Hence a circle of wave ramp is made. Skaters learn to control their speed while doing rotating tricks on the wave ramp
Quarter Pipe
The quarter pipes almost have a 90° angle, like one-quarter of a circle. They are very common around the skateparks. If you can do tricks on the small ramps, try the quarter ramps now. They come in many sizes, from a few feet high for the backyard to 20-30 feet in the skateparks. They do tricks on the edge of the ramp or in the air and come back down to the ground.
Half Pipe
Half pipes are basically two joined quarter pipes. They consist of two walls and a flat base where the walls always get a 90° vertical pull. The height of a half-pipe ranges between 7 to 14 feet and is usually made from wood. The edge of each wall is covered with metal coping. These ramps are useful to build speed and do tricks in the air when sliding back and forth constantly.
Spines
When you join two quarter-pipes back to back, they form a spine. There is no platform between the ramps. The metal coping of the quarter ramps is sometimes also joined together. The skaters slide on the opposite sides of the spine and do swift tricks when in the air. The spine lets the pro skaters do mid-air stunts using the slopes on both sides without losing momentum.
Bank Ramp
Bank ramps are flat slopes that come down from a wall. You get to slide on one side of the ramp. The bank ramps can come in various angles and sizes. These small, 2-feet ramps can enhance the beauty of your background. And they can be used for kickflips and other flat-ground tricks.
Vert Ramp
Vert ramps are similar to quarter pipes but have an additional strip on the top of the vertical edge that prevents the skater from surpassing the threshold and landing safely on the starting ground. They can go up to 12 feet vertically. They take quite a bit of space and can be found at large skateparks.
Kicker Ramp
Kicker ramps are similar to launch ramps though they won’t kick you as high as a launch ramp. These are the most basic type of ramps that can be found on any skatepark. These ramps slide straight and typically have an angle of 15 to 30 degrees. Beginners can use it as it has a shallow height.
Roll in
Roll-in ramps are quarter pipes that have no metal coping. Roll-ins are used for gaining speed.
Miniature Ramp / Mini Ramp
Miniature or mini ramps are the smaller version of half pipes. They have two transitional sides that can be 2-7 feet high with a flat bottom. These can be found in a wooden form in indoor parks but can be of concrete seen in outdoor skateparks. They are best for beginners to do quick jumps or lip tricks.
Mega Ramp
Mega ramps are humongous vert ramps that are 4 to 6 stories high, and the landing can be 20 to 70 feet long. These are not that common in skateparks. They are typically custom built and take huge space. Skaters who love doing action tricks can find these ramps ideal. Mega ramps are not for weak-hearted people.
Ledge Ramp / Grind Box
The ledge ramp is also known as a grind box. Therefore, they can be used for grinding or sliding. Ledge ramps can have a wide top or not and are in the shape of a box, though only one side can be used.
Box Ramp
Box ramps come in box shape though the length might be between 3 to 6 feet with a flat top to do basic tricks, width 2 to 3 feet, and height 1 to 2 feet. They can either be constructed of wood or concrete. Box ramps have a coping on edge for sliding and grinding.
i. Fly Box
Fly boxes are two kickers joined with a small platform. However, the kickers have a slight curve on them. These are best for beginners to learn new tricks. Easy to slide on and off.
ⅱ. Flat Box
Flat boxes are like grind boxes that have a flat top, sometimes with a coping.
ⅲ. Fun Box
Fun boxes are hybrid ramps with a flat top, two or more ramp sides, rails, and many other functions. They can be found in most skateparks as they are a common element in any skatepark. You can perform a wide range of tricks on a fun box. Other than skateboarding, they can be used for roller skating and BMX-riding.
ⅳ. Box Jumps
Box jumps have two or four slopes on the opposite sides and a platform between the slopes connecting them. The flatland skaters use them for manual tricks and flips. Box jumps are suitable for beginners as well.
Rails Ramp
Rails are not ramps but play a significant role in skateboarding games. They are used to connect ramps. Skaters grind on the rails. Rails can be of many types- flat rail, curved rail, kink rail, and handrail.
ⅰ. Flat Rail
Flat rails are horizontal metal poles one to two feet above the ground used for sliding. Flat rails often connect two or more kickers.
ⅱ. Curved or Rainbow Rail
Rainbow rails are curved rails used for grinding over them. They are usually mounted on the ground.
ⅲ. Kink Rail
Kink rails are handrails that have a changed direction in the middle. The skater needs to know how and when to shift their body weight to maintain a balanced slide. Sliding through the kink rail is not a beginner’s job.
ⅳ. Slant or Handrail
Slant or handrails are regular stair rails that don’t have sudden twists. Skaters sliding and grinding on the metal handrails are common phenomena in any skatepark.
Final Words
The type of skate ramps does not have any visual boundary. Ramps add a different height to skateboarding. You can mix and match the ramps and rails to see what fits best for you. You can learn a variety of tricks using various types of skate ramps.
Skateboarding becomes more fun with the ramps and boxes. You get to do a variety of tricks with them. You can start to do the basic tricks on some ramps, even if you are a beginner.
