Skateboards, Decks, and Ramps

Skateboarding has evolved dramatically from its beginnings and is now
not just merely a sport, but a lifestyle for some.
Sk8ramp.com is an informational site devoted to providing skaters- new
or experienced- with information on skateboarding, skateboards, ramps,
and other accessories. This site is for informational purposes only
and does not endorse any certain brand or product.
Skateboarding was developed in the 1950’s in California. The creation
of the skateboard
was due to the desire for surfers to still surf on days when the ocean
was flat. No one knows who made the first skate board because a few
different cases have been documented to have occurred around the same
time.
The sport began gaining popularity in the sixties and was often referred
to as sidewalk surfing. The sport really took off when a skate
shop began using polyurethane wheels instead of the wheels used on roller
skates. The polyurethane wheels rode smoother and offered way more control.
In the early 1970’s skateboarders performed very basic tricks
on banana boards that looked more like choreography than the sport we
see today.
During the drought of 1976 many pools were left empty. Skaters used
these pools to simulate the wave riding experience they were looking
to replace. This was the birth of vert style skating and new tricks
like the “Ollie” and grabbed aerial were causing a stir.
Because many skaters inland were unable to locate empty pools and skate
parks were cautious of the liability vert style skating left them with,
many kids had to build their own ramps or take to the street.
Street skating in the eighties, also known as freestyle, brought about
the invention of tricks like the kick flip. Freestyle skating also changed
the shape of the board from the skinny banana board to the standard
shaped skateboard we see today. The board is about seven and a quarter
to eight inches wide and ranges from thirty to thirty-two inches long.
Currently in the United States the sport is still alive and thriving.
The beginning of the X-games in the nineties legitimized the sport and
drew increasing interest among boys and girls alike. On average about
85% of skaters are under eighteen years old and 74% are males.
Skateboarding can not only be a sport or recreational activity, it can
also be a means of transportation. In many urban areas skateboarding
will get the rider where he needs to go much faster than driving a car
through cross-town traffic- and it’s better for the environment.
Long boards are a variation of the skateboard. The boards are wider
and longer than the street skateboard. They are not used for tricks
however. These boards work best in hilly areas and are mostly for coasting
down the streets. It is believed that long boarding originated in San
Francisco where riders needed larger boards to handle the speed generated
by their many downhill trips.
Boards consists of
skateboard decks- the surface on which the rider stands, trucks-
metal T-shaped axles, and the wheels- made from polyurethane. The traction
on the top of the deck is provided by a sandpaper-like material called
deck tape. For safety it’s recommended that skaters wear helmets
and protective gear like knee and elbow pads. Skateboard decks are often bought online, for convience of searching for specific deck.
Ramps no longer have to be made at home out of sketchy materials. Ramps
made from durable plastic or wood can be purchased. Skating websites
may even offer half-pipe or vert ramp kits for large scale tricks. Grind
rails can also be purchased; these are rails attached to a stable base
that the skater can slide down (a maneuver called grinding.)
Sk8ramp.com is all about information for skaters. This website is updated
regularly so check back often for the latest information on the subjects
of skateboarding, skate ramps, and any other accessories or advice skaters
may be looking for. If you like go karts, check out kartpower.com