Vert Skateboarding Basics

You will need proper protective gear:

• Helmet
• Knee Pads
• Elbow Pads
• Wrist Guards (maybe, but a good idea)

A helmet is enough for riding street, but on a vert ramp you really need more. You will be going very fast, and falling on the ramp can hurt. You will need elbow and knee pads, too. And wrist guards certainly aren't a bad idea. Don’t worry about looking lame – most vert skaters wear a lot more protective gear than street skaters. If you still get uncomfortable with all those pads on, remember this – you will be riding on wooden slabs screwed together. Sometimes, the screws work themselves a little loose, and stick up just a little. Now, imagine yourself falling off your board, and sliding on your knees, and finding that screw. Would you rather it take your knee pad off, or your knee cap? I suggest you choose, “pad”!