How To: Drop in on a quarter-pipe

Learn how to drop in on a quarter-pipe. Dropping in on a quarter-pipe or other vertical ramp is something to try after you have been skateboarding for at least a few months.

You Will Need

* A skateboard
* A helmet and protective pads
* A pair of skateboard or athletic shoes
* A quarter-pipe ramp

WARNING: Always wear protective clothing, including a helmet, wrist guards, elbow pads, kneepads, and appropriate footwear. Skateboarding is not recommended for children under the age of 6, and children between the ages of 6 and 10 should only be allowed to ride with adult supervision.

Step 1. Practice your pumping

At a local skate park, find a quarter-pipe ramp that's 5 feet high or shorter. This is a good place to practice pumping, a skating technique that lets you skate faster without taking your feet off the board.

Step 2. Pump your board

While skating around the bottom of the ramp, crouch down and, as you approach the slope, straighten your body. Gather momentum in the same way you would if you were trying to gain height while swinging on a swing.

Step 3. Prepare to drop in

Climb to the top of the quarter-pipe and position the tail of your skateboard on the top edge of the ramp. Place one foot at the back of the board to hold it steady and the other foot directly behind the bolts on the top of the board.

Step 4. Check the pipe

Always check the quarter-pipe before your drop in to ensure that no other skaters are using it.

Step 5. Go for the drop

Lean forward so that the front wheels make contact with the top edge of the ramp. Keep leaning forward and let gravity carry you the rest of the way onto the ramp.

Step 6. Roll off the quarter-pipe

As you reach the bottom of the quarter-pipe, roll off the bottom edge of the ramp and clear the way for other skaters.

FACT: Jacksonville, Florida's Kona Skatepark, which opened in 1977, is the nation's oldest private skatepark.