Types of Skateboarding Ramps

To serious skateboarders, their sport is more than just a hobby--it is a lifestyle and form of self-expression. This universal dedication has propelled the sport from a boutique activity to a multimillion-dollar industry that is the centerpiece of a world-renown extreme sports event called the X Games. Skateboarders ride on both street courses and ramps. What ramps are used depends on the goal of the skateboarder. Different ramps exist for boarders looking for big air, spectacular tricks.

  1. Quarter Pipe Ramps

    • The quarter pipe and launch style ramps are where skateboarding got its start. A quarter pipe ramp is an incline that goes up to a point and has a grinding bar across the top. Skaters use the quarter pipe to drop in (start a routine and get momentum) and to do almost all types of tricks. The key to a quarter pipe ramp is that it must be wide enough to allow for grinding on the bar, yet also have a deep enough drop zone (the distance between the grind bar and the start of the ramp on the ground) to allow the skater build enough momentum to go airborne when necessary. A common size for a basic quarter pipe ramp is 3 feet high by 4 feet wide by 8 feet long, which normally equals a 6-foot drop zone.

    Pyramid Ramp

    • The pyramid ramp is a staple of street courses everywhere. It has four or sometimes more ramps that come to a head at the top of a box. The box can be flat or have a rail to grind on. The typical pyramid ramp has four individual inclines that go directly to the top of the box, which can be anywhere from 3 to 5 feet off the ground. This ramp is the perfect centerpiece for a street course because it allows skaters to approach from any angle. Skaters can go up one incline and use the ramp to do tricks, and then skate down another incline to gain momentum to continue on with their routines.

    Launch Ramp

    • Launch ramps are designed to do exactly what the name implies: launch skaters into the air. A launch ramp allows skaters to practice aerial tricks while still moving forward. A launch ramp also has the advantage of being used by BMX bikers as well, which is the main reason it can be found so commonly around skate parks. Launch ramps can vary in height as well as incline angle. The steeper the angle, the more speed a skater needs to go up the ramp. It should also be noted that launch ramps force a skater to work on landing. This can be particularly helpful for riders looking to improve sticking landings from street routines.