Skatepark Etiquette

Skatepark Etiquette explained

• Say Hi and observe your surroundings.
  

  • Skateboarding offers a great community and the more time you spend at the skatepark, the more you will recognize the faces around you. Be kind and say hi. Also, the more you observe the rider, the more you can calculate their lines and paths, which will make it easier for you to not run into them. This brings us to the next part.

• Don’t Snake… wait your turn and pass cautiously.
  

  • Snaking someone means you are getting carelessly into their line and potentially causing a crash. It is very dangerous and frowned upon. Before you start your line, observe who is riding around you and what they are doing. That way you can calculate the right timing to start your ride. Additionally, it is important to always look left and right before crossing anywhere in the park. Skateboarders, rollerbladers, and bikers are fast and you don’t want to get in their way.

• Skateboarding is a community. Help each other out & ask before giving advice.
  

  • We are all friends in the park, and as friends, it is common to help a fallen soldier. When you see someone on the ground, check on them and pick them up. If you see someone that is continuously snaking, make no assumptions about their intentions and ask if they know about skate etiquette. Be a teacher, not a judge. And before you jump deeply into the role of a teacher, make sure you ask if the skater wants to receive your advice.

  • Don’t ask skaters to do a trick. Everyone is on their journey and asking skaters to perform a trick could make them feel uncomfortable. Instead, watch them and encourage them when they are conquering something new.

  • Apologize if you for any reason have snaked, hurt, or shown any excessive behavior. We all make mistakes, but the apology will show your awareness of it.

• For Parents: Supervise your children and teach them about Skate etiquette and safety.
  

  • While the Skatepark offers lots of entertainment, it is not a daycare. Children should be supervised and educated about the techniques for staying safe and being peaceful members of the community at the skatepark. Just as kids need to be taught how to cross the street, they need to be taught how to move through a skatepark without getting in someone's way.

  • Accidents car occur, therefore it is recommended to have a buddy system to watch out for each other and call for help if necessary.

• Practice flat on the side and go with the flow of the park.
  

  • If you’re new to skateboarding, the less crowded times, like in the mornings will allow you to get more accustomed to the park. Practice your ollies and flip tricks on the flats next to the skatepark.

  • Avoid marathon runs and make sure everyone around you is getting their fair share of turns.

• Sit outside of the park in the designated areas. ANYTHING in the park can be ridden.
  

  • When taking breaks or just watching the skaters, we have to make sure that we leave the obstacles and features free to ride. The skatepark is a creative playground and by sitting in the way we are eliminating full usage and also putting ourselves at risk. Grassy areas or chairs and picnic tables are usually a better option to take a seat. If you are a cameraman, make sure you’re staying small and out of skaters’ way.

• Keep copings clear until it is your turn.
  

  • Before putting your board onto the coping, please make sure that everyone is done skating. You wouldn’t want to interfere with their tricks. For example grinds.

• Call out ‘Board’ when you lose it.
  

  • Calling the loss of your board out, allows other riders to be aware of it and avoid collisions. Unless you are seriously hurt, getting up and out of the way is important. People will be concerned about your well-being or you might be in a spot where you are hard to see and other riders could crash into you. If you are hurt, call for help so someone can assist in getting you to a safe area.

• Pick up your trash and eat outside of the park.
  

  • No one wants to skate over gummy bears or through apple juice puddles. Trashcans will gladly take your leftovers. Use the space outside of the skatepark to refuel with some drinks and food.

• Know your limits and enjoy the progress.
  

  • We all enjoy pushing ourselves, but let’s keep it in a reasonable matter. Accepting failure is part of progress. If you struggle and get aggravated, a little rest can do wonders.