How To Skateboard On Ramps

Learning how to skateboard on ramps can initially pose a challenge for skaters who are not used to this style of skating. Here are some tips to allow you to do so successfully and safely.

1. Get a Feel for the Ramp. Skating in new environments and new materials can cause many skaters to stumble and injure themselves when skateboarding on ramps. If the ramp consists of a different material than you are used to skating, get a feel for the ramp and the unfamiliar material prior to attempting dropping in on the ramp. Getting a feel for the terrain will help you compose a plan to attack the ramp, so skate around for awhile at the bottom of the ramp before attempting a drop in.
2. Set the Tail of the Skateboard. Once you are comfortable and familiar with the ramp move towards the top of the ramp to drop in. Place the tail of your skateboard on the rounded edge or pipe that runs along the top edge of the ramp, usually called the coping. Let the back wheel of your skateboard hang down over the edge of the ramp and hold the the skateboard in this position with your back foot straight across the tail. The front wheels should be in mid air with the board propped up slightly. Your front foot should stay beside the board on the ground while waiting for the way to clear to drop in on the ramp.
3. Position Your Front Foot. When it is your turn to skate on the ramp, place your front foot over the trucks of your skateboard. If you have a concave board, place your front foot just before the concave. If you have a flat board without concaves, place your foot so your toes just hang over the trucks on your skateboard.
4. Stomp and Lean into the Ramp. With your front foot on the board, stomp all of your weight on your skateboard until your front wheels touch the ramp and lean into the ramp with the motion of the board. Do not hold back or let fear take over. If you do not put all of your weight into skating the ramp you could injure yourself.
5. Follow Through. While skating down the ramp, stay relaxed and keep your knees bent as you follow through with the motion down the ramp. Follow your line of sight towards the bottom out of the path of other skaters. Dropping in on a ramp will cause you to pick up some speed so do not be alarmed. Make mental notes of the steps you took to successfully skate the ramp and continue these steps until you perfect your skill.