Ramp Skating Guide (Basics)

Hi, what's the best way to keep your balance on ramps, little and big.

If you find yourself falling as you hit the transition, or when you stop and come back down, it is for 1 of 3 reasons.

1. You are not leaning. At all times on the ramp, you should be perpendicular (90°) to the surface. This means that on the bottom, you are vertical, on the vert you are horizontal etc.
2. You are too rigid. Try to make sure you relax a bit. If you don't you are not flexible enough, and can't cope with the change in slope.
3. You are not rigid enough. Sometimes, as you progress up bigger ramps, your legs simply collapse. This is because there will be a -lot- of force on them. If you have trouble stopping this from happening it may simply be because you need to build up some more strength in you legs. This often happens when you start from the top of a ramp before you are ready, or if your legs are too tired to cope. Commonly know as "going Bambi".

How the hell do you turn round on a half pipe, without getting any air?

You don't need to get air (come out of the top of the ramp) but you do need to lift your feel off the ramp. It should be symetrical as well. before you stop start the spin in your top half while your feet are still on the ramp. As you are slowing down, lift your feet of, and spin around. By the time you get around, you should be on the way back down.

You should not

• wait until you stop before turning
• land on the ramp before you are descending
• push out from the ramp (if on vert)

You should

• turn your arms the opposite way, then start to spin them and your head before your legs.
• land with your wheels pointing straight down the ramp
• push out from the ramp (if not on vert)

It is actually a lot easier to balance and spin as you start to get higher up in the ramp. It is a very steep learning curve until you can get past 45 degrees, then it gets a lot easier. Keep at it.