Overview
All skateboard ramps have a specific purpose, but what all forms of ramp have in common is the desire to challenge the rider, demanding a high degree of skill, bravery and practice to be exerted before any claim of mastery can be made.
Vert Ramp
The vert ramp is the mother of all ramps. Vert ramps are built to a standard 12-feet high and have a steep transition on both sides, forming one U-shaped structure. The vert ramp is aimed at allowing riders to achieve a great deal of air by encouraging momentum and speed to be built up easily, enabling riders to launch themselves off the top of the transition. The vert ramp is the standard for competitive skateboarding.
Halfpipe
The halfpipe consists of two concave quaterpipes joined in the middle by a flat deck. A smaller version of the vert ramp, the quarterpipe still allows riders to achieve high levels of speed and air, but has the advantage of being highly portable and capable of being customized. Sections of coping across the tops of the ramps also allow for grinds to be executed by riders.
Quarterpipe
A ramp that can be found in almost all skateparks, the quarterpipe features a single ramp face with a progressively steep transition. The quarterpipe provides an excellent entry into other ramps, allowing for a great deal of speed to be built up relatively quickly, but also lends itself to being ridden for tricks because its steep transition allows riders to be projected into the air fairly easily. A length of coping also allows the quaterpipe to being ridden for grinds.
Banked Wedge
A banked wedge might appear similar to a quaterpipe, but rather than a steep transition, a banked wedge has a flat ride upward and down. The banked wedge serves as an entry ramp, allowing for speed to be generated when traveling down, although it offers less in the way of airborne maneuvers.
Fun Box
A fun box consists of two flat surfaced entry and exit ramps connected by a horizontal flat section. Fun boxes are usually accompanied by a rail or box running along one edge, which allows riders to grind up and down when ridden with enough speed.
Spine Ramp
A spine ramp consists of back-to-back, up-and-down ramps with steep faces similar to those of the quarterpipe. A section of coping will usually join the sections, facilitating grinds, although spine ramps are particularly useful in allowing riders to carry out spine transfers, launching skaters from one section of a park into another.
