A skateboarder riding a large vert ramp
Vert skateboarding, short for vertical skateboarding, is the act of riding a skateboard on a skate ramp or other incline and involves the skateboarder transitioning from the horizontal plane to the vertical plane in order to perform skateboarding tricks.[1]
History
[edit]
Globe International founder Stephen Hill vert skateboarding on a large half-pipe.
During the 1970s, vert skateboarding had its genesis in "pool riding": the riding of skateboards in an emptied backyard swimming pool.[2]
As riders moved from general street skateboarding and occasional "pool riding" into purpose-built skate parks, vert skateboarding became more popular. Skateboarders began to develop, and then practice, tricks and techniques specifically for vert skateboarding.[3]
Vert skateboarding became a common style of skateboarding and was introduced into many competitions and events, including the X Games and the Maloof Money Cup.[4]
In 2008, ESPN and X Games organizers announced that vert skateboarding would be removed from X Games competitions in favor of free-movement skate-park-style courses where participants would still be able to perform vert skateboarding tricks but would need to do so in combination with other street skateboarding elements.[5] After public condemnation from professional skateboarders Bob Burnquist, Tony Hawk and others, organizers re-instated vert skateboarding.[5]
In 2011, ESPN announced, however, that the X Games would no longer feature a Women's Vert Skateboarding event, citing a lack of "a growing participant base, an established annual competition schedule", and "myriad other factors". Professional skateboarder Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins said the decision would "end the growth for women's vert skating as we know it".[6]
Skateboard set-up
[edit]For vert skateboarding, riders usually set up their boards with 55-millimetre (2.2 in) wheels (or larger) and wider decks for more stability.[2][7]
See also
[edit]
- Dropping in – Skateboarding trick
- Vert skating – Sport discipline
References
[edit]- ^ Jeff Savage (2005). Vert Skating: Mastering the Ramp. Capstone. ISBN 978-0-7368-2705-8.
- ^ a b The Science and Art of Skateboard Design: How Boards Have Changed Over Time (Exploratorium)
- ^ Loveletters To Skateboarding: Style by Blair Alley (Transworld Skateboarding, 31 August 2012) [video]
- ^ Maloof Announces Vert Skaters For South Africa by Blair Alley (Transworld Skateboarding, 20 September 2012)
- ^ a b X Games Re-Instates Vert Competition After Heat from Pro Skaterboarders + BMX Riders by Ryley Bane (Label Networks, 2008)
- ^ X Games cancels women's Skate Vert by Matt Higginsn(ESPN.com, 31 May 2011)
- ^ Skateboard Guide and Skate Size Chart (Evo.com)