| Step one | | | | |
| | | | Step four |
| Hopefully you know how to skateboard already, | | | | |
| if not you ain't ready for the vert ramp. | | | | Unless you are a crazy loon or a particularly |
| Make sure you know all the basics well. | | | | confident skater you probably won't want to |
| Practice on a mini ramp before you consider | | | | just go leaping off the top, start off at the |
| the vert. It's a good step to take before | | | | bottom and build up speed pumping each side |
| you start mixing with the big boys. You need | | | | of the ramp. This will acclimatise you to |
| to be able to pull off some tricks on mini | | | | the vert ramp; keep going until to be |
| ramp with confidence, comfort and style. The | | | | comfortable enough to hit the top of the ramp |
| better the skater you are the more you will | | | | a few times, and get down again in one |
| enjoy your experience at the vert ramp, and | | | | piece... |
| the less likely you are to be ending the | | | | |
| experience in hospital... | | | | Step five |
| | | | |
| Step two | | | | OK its now or never, time for the first drop |
| | | | in. Build up the courage; check that the way |
| Check out a few vert ramps first so you can | | | | is clear, make sure there isn't a fellow |
| get used to the height of them before | | | | skater flattened at the bottom. If you clip |
| throwing yourself off. They are a lot higher | | | | someone else on the way down you could create |
| at the top than they look at the bottom. | | | | some carnage. It's a good idea to try you |
| Getting used to this will help you when on | | | | first run in an empty or nearly empty ramp, |
| your first run. It's a bit late to discover | | | | not only to avoid maiming others but to save |
| you have vertigo when you are on the edge | | | | you own humiliation... |
| with your board at your feet. | | | | |
| | | | Step six |
| Step three | | | | |
| | | | Go for it, take a deep breath and go with the |
| This is dangerous game so make sure you have | | | | adrenalin. Don't panic and try to relax and |
| some decent safety equipment. It's highly | | | | be confident. If you do have a spill don't |
| likely that you go sprawling across the ramp | | | | give up, if you're a decent skater you will |
| at some point so prepare for it as best you | | | | soon pick it up and be performing killer |
| can. Make sure you have a helmet and pads on | | | | tricks before you know it. |
| all your knobbly bits. | | | | |