DIY Skater’s Haven: A Guide to Building a Personal Skate Spot
Public skate parks are killer places to practice, learn from other skaters, and see their tricks, but what if you don’t live near one? What if you’d rather enjoy your next two hundred falls without an audience? Whether you’re an aspiring pro, or just someone who wants to skate without leaving home, creating your own skateboarding environment is an exciting and rewarding project—if you have the space.
1. Assess Your Available Space
Before you buy materials or make plans, first evaluate your location. Not all homes have the luxury of extra yard space, so be realistic about the size and shape of the area you hope to use. This is also a good time to talk to your parents or the landlord IF YOU ARE NOT THE PROPERTY OWNER. No fun building a ramp if you have to tear it down next week because you’re in violation of Mom’s driveway rules or the HOA’s bylaws.
Indoor or Outdoor? Garage or basement? Driveway or back yard? The climate where you live might steer this decision. If you’re in a region with harsh winters or lots of rain, an indoor setup
might be more useful. However, an outdoor setup lets you think bigger—especially about the headroom needed for tricks that require height, like aerials or kickflips.
2. Start with the Basics: Flat Ground for Practice
Regardless of your space, a good, smooth surface is essential for skateboarding. It’s where you’ll practice your basics—pushes, ollies, and basic turning.
Smooth Concrete or Plywood
If you have access to a smooth concrete driveway or garage floor, you’re already in good shape. If not, you might want to invest in plywood sheets to create a smooth, skateable surface. Cracks, bumps, or debris can be annoying or even dangerous.
Non-Slip Surface
Indoors, avoid surfaces that are super slick, like polished concrete or waxed VCT. Some people use a special skateboarding surface like skate tiles, or non-slip mats to avoid accidents and injuries.
3. Choose Obstacles and Features
Now you’re ready for the fun stuff! Skateparks typically feature a combination of ramps, rails, curbs, and other challenge elements. You can replicate these elements on a smaller scale or customize them for your needs. Maybe you’ll even invent some crazy new obstacle!
Ramps
A mini ramp is one of the most iconic features of a skatepark. It allows you to practice airs, grinds, and transitions. Mini ramps can be built in various sizes, but keep your skill level in mind. If you’re a beginner, a ramp that’s not too steep is ideal. There are plenty of DIY tutorials online, as well as ramp kits if you want a faster build.
Quarterpipes and Launch Ramps
If you have more space, you could construct a quarterpipe or a launch ramp. These ramps are excellent for practicing vertical tricks and getting air. They’re typically smaller than full-sized ramps and can fit into tight spaces, making them great for home setups.
Rails and Boxes
Rails are great for practicing grinds and slides. A flat bar or grind rail can be mounted on the ground or at an incline. Similarly, boxes (like grind boxes or ledges) are easy to build and move. A length of pipe can be raised, lowered, or slanted without great effort, making for easy changes in your stunt environment.
DIY Obstacles
The beauty of DIY is the freedom to get creative. You can repurpose materials, build custom obstacles, and design your own features. For example, you can make a DIY grind rail out of PVC pipe or create a bank ramp out of wooden planks. Look around your garage or neighborhood for materials to repurpose into skate-friendly obstacles.
4. Safety Check: Gear and Surroundings
Of course, homemade ramps and rails don’t get a lot of attention from OSHA, so you are your own safety inspector. Lucky finds like plywood from a construction dumpster should be checked for nails, screws, and structural damage. New challenge elements should be assumed to be fall risks: check nearby surroundings for dangerous objects like bolts, nails, or tree limbs, and consider cushioning crash zones with rubber mats or your mom’s LEAST favorite pillows.
Armor up! Helmets, elbow pads, and knee pads are far cooler than a busted skull or a trip to the emergency room. Face-plant videos seem hilarious until you have a handful of your own bloody teeth!
5. Maintain the Fun
The many impacts of skateboarding can wear down your equipment over time. Regularly check your ramps, rails, and any other features for damage. Make sure they’re securely fastened. Screws are generally less likely than nails to loosen and protrude (creating horrifying threats to your flesh!) Any nail or screw that loosens can usually be replaced with a slightly larger/longer one for better holding power.
What looks better also holds up better! Structures exposed to weather will last much longer if you paint or seal them. Also, remove debris like leaves or gravel that can cause accidents or hold moisture.
6. Skate it!
It’s time to skate! Now you can skate on your own schedule, without pressure from peers. With creativity and a little elbow grease, you can build a little slice of skatepark that suits your style and skill level. No excuses—practice or die! (Don’t die.)
