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

Skateboards | Decks | Learning Center | Site Map | Links | Contact | Home

©