Most of the time, when you go to the skatepark, you won’t have to be in super close quarters with other boarders. Still, there are unspoken rules that help to reduce the risk of injury and ensure that everyone has a positive experience. If you want to know about skatepark etiquette, this is the article to read. We’ve researched this topic and will share our findings with you in this article.
By the end, you’ll be able to confidently join the skatepark crowd. Keep reading for the most important skateboard etiquette tips everyone should know about. Let’s get right into it!
Wear Protective Gear Every Time You Go
One of the most important things to do when skateboarding anywhere, but especially at a skatepark, is to wear protective gear. Usually, that refers to the following:
- A well-fitting helmet
- Knee pads
- Wrist guards
- Elbow pads
Skateboarding is loads of fun. But there’s no denying that it’s a potentially dangerous extreme sport. Suit up!
Look Out
When we say “look out,” we mean you should keep your eyes peeled for other skateboarders and bystanders. If you get too far in the zone and get tunnel vision, your chances of crashing and injuring yourself or someone else increase.
Even if you’re not actively skating, being watchful is still important. You never know when someone might dart out and put you in harm’s way.
Pro tip: Try to get an idea of the flow of the obstacles. If you know where boarders are headed, you’ll be better able to avoid potentially dangerous collisions and injuries.
Step Back If You’re Not Skating
Though all are welcome at the skatepark, you should keep a safe distance if you’re not skating. That means that if riders are trying out tricks in a certain area and you’re not, you should purposely stand back and away from them. This helps reduce your chances of injury and enables active riders to focus more on their tricks and maneuvers rather than spectators who might be in the way.
No Copying Other’s Moves
Copying other’s moves is a no-no in skateboarding – it’s called “comping.” Not only is it annoying to other boarders, but it increases your chances of wiping out if someone you’re following wipes out ahead of you. Comping is common among beginners trying to refine their skills, but it’s best to watch from afar and work on your own skateboarding style and tricks over time.
Cheer Others On
Getting a new trick down usually takes dozens – or even hundreds – of tries. So, when someone successfully lands a tough trick, show them how impressed you are. It encourages them to continue developing their skills and makes them feel good about their progress. One of the most common ways to cheer another skateboarder on is to bang your board on the ground.
Don’t Leave Your Things on the Obstacles/Ramps
It’s best for everyone if you keep your things on the borders of the skatepark, where people will not be skateboarding. This way, no one will roll over your jacket or backpack and hurt themselves or someone else. If your items cause someone else harm or annoyance, this can give you a bad reputation at the skatepark.
Keep a Cool Disposition
Even when you do all you can to avoid issues with others at the skatepark, you could still find yourself in a confrontation. Whenever you do, always keep a cool disposition, and don’t be afraid to apologize when you’re in the wrong.
Don’t Jump Lines
At super popular skateparks, you might often find yourself waiting for someone to finish skating their line. Snaking (skating into their line, essentially cutting them off) is widely understood to be prohibited in skateparks. As excited as you might be to get in on the action, snaking is a surefire way to be branded as a troublemaker and even put yourself in danger. And if you cut in front of the wrong person, you could end up in a confrontation. So, for your own good, be patient and avoid snaking.
Go When It’s Not Busy (For Beginners)
If you’re new to skateboarding and don’t yet know the fundamentals, it’s always a good idea to plan your skatepark visit when it won’t be busy. That way, you can refine your moves without slowing others down or potentially getting in the way and hurting yourself.
Often, skateparks will be empty for the first few hours of the morning. You’ll probably find that they’re busy in the evenings and on weekends. If you want to find out when a particular skatepark will be empty, search it up on Google, find a phone number to call, and ask someone who works there.
Note: Even non-beginners may find that they prefer an empty skatepark. If you belong to this group, skip the skatepark when it’s busy.
Don’t Stay Down for Too Long
You’re bound to fall at some point at the skatepark, and when you do, getting right back up is essential. Just because you fell doesn’t mean that the rest of the activity at the skatepark stops. Other people may need to get past you; and if someone is close behind you, you risk them crashing into you. Grab your board and get back up right away.
Note: If you are seriously injured, don’t worry about trying to get up. Call for help instead.
Don’t Litter
A clean skatepark is essential to the enjoyment and safety of the other skaters. So, do yourself and others a favor and dispose of trash properly. There should be trash bins somewhere in the park.
