Mega Ramp
Encyclopedia
A Mega Ramp is the informal name given to any large-format vert ramp
structure used in freestyle BMX
and skateboarding
. The name distinguishes a second generation of ramps which became increasingly popular during the 1990s-2000s transition years. They are so called to distinguish them from the more modest classic ramps used throughout the preceding decades of these sports and which were, at most, half-scale versions of these newer and larger ramps.
. Vert half-pipe
mega ramps have been built in the past, but they are uncommon.
The roll-in section consists of a single or multiple roll-ins that drop from 12m (40') or higher up. The purpose of the roll-in is for the athletes to be able to gain the speed needed to tackle the other sections of the ramp. The tallest Mega Ramp to date is 59.1m (197') tall. It is located in professional skateboarder Bob Burnquist's backyard.
The second section can be a gap jump, or a quarter pipe, though the gap jump option has become the most popular setup. Gap jumps range in distance from 7.5m (25') to 21m (70') between the launch and landing sections. The athletes clear the distance between the launch and landing sections of the gap jump by sailing through the air above the gap, and land on the landing section, which is sloped forward to decrease the landing impact.
The third section is almost invariably a quarter pipe.
The quarter pipes can be 5.4m (18') or greater in height and serve as either a speed break, or as another launch point from which the athlete sails directly vertical into the air off the top lip of the ramp, before falling back down and landing on the quarter pipe transition again.
Other additions and modifications have been tried on mega ramps, such as the tall flatbox with a rainbow rail that was added to the Point X mega ramp.
The total length of these structures varies from approximately 60m (200') to 108m (360') in length.
in a King of Skate event. Yet another full scale mega ramp was constructed at Point X camp, with footage first unveiled in the DC skate video. Danny Way then used a much larger mega ramp to jump over the Great Wall of China
in 2005.
Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins was the first female to skate a mega ramp.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzR7fQvMj3w
The youngest skateboarder to attempt a mega ramp run was Taylor Smith
. He completed it unharmed at age 11.
In New York City, June 12, 2008, Kevin Robinson broke the Freestyle BMX air world record, setting the new benchmark height at 8.1m (27') on a roll-in/quarter pipe mega ramp setup. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrM4KVNwB94
, where it is called "Big Air", since X Games X in 2004 for skateboard
and 2006 for BMX
. One of the scariest moments in X Games history occurred on Skateboard Big Air at X Games XIII in 2007 when Jake Brown
lost control going into the quarter-pipe after landing the first gap 720 in Big Air history, and fell over 40 feet to the bottom of the ramp, landing hard on his side. Surprisingly, he escaped with only a concussion and bruising, and walked away with little assistance.
Despite the fall, Jake would repeat as silver-medalist in 2007, and would finally win gold in the event at X Games XV
in 2009, giving him a medal in the event in four consecutive years.
At X Games XV, Danny Way brought a rail apparatus for the gap portion of Big Air in a special exhibition event called the "Skateboard Big Air Rail Jam".
, Australia
Vert ramp
A vert ramp is a form of half-pipe used in "extreme sports" such as skateboarding.Another form of half-pipe is the mini ramp.Vert ramps are so named because they transition from a horizontal plane to a vertical wall....
structure used in freestyle BMX
Freestyle BMX
Freestyle BMX is a synonym for BMX stunt riding, a sport branch that hails from extreme sports. It consists of six disciplines: street, park, vert, trails, dirt and flatland .-History:...
and skateboarding
Skateboarding
Skateboarding is an action sport which involves riding and performing tricks using a skateboard.Skateboarding can be a recreational activity, an art form, a job, or a method of transportation. Skateboarding has been shaped and influenced by many skateboarders throughout the years. A 2002 report...
. The name distinguishes a second generation of ramps which became increasingly popular during the 1990s-2000s transition years. They are so called to distinguish them from the more modest classic ramps used throughout the preceding decades of these sports and which were, at most, half-scale versions of these newer and larger ramps.
Structure
Contemporary structures are generally made of wood and steel, and consist of two or three sections. The most common ramp setup uses a sequence of three sections; a roll-in, a gap jump, and a vert quarter pipeQuarter pipe
A Quarter pipe is a ramp used in extreme sports which resembles a quarter of the cross section of a pipe. They are most commonly found in skateparks and a skiing/snowboarding terrain park, although the trained eye of an extreme sports fan can find them in modern day architecture...
. Vert half-pipe
Half-pipe
A half-pipe is a structure used in gravity extreme sports such as snowboarding, skateboarding, skiing, freestyle BMX, and inline skating. The structure is wood, concrete, metal, earth, or snow. It resembles a cross section of a swimming pool, essentially two concave ramps , topped by copings and...
mega ramps have been built in the past, but they are uncommon.
The roll-in section consists of a single or multiple roll-ins that drop from 12m (40') or higher up. The purpose of the roll-in is for the athletes to be able to gain the speed needed to tackle the other sections of the ramp. The tallest Mega Ramp to date is 59.1m (197') tall. It is located in professional skateboarder Bob Burnquist's backyard.
The second section can be a gap jump, or a quarter pipe, though the gap jump option has become the most popular setup. Gap jumps range in distance from 7.5m (25') to 21m (70') between the launch and landing sections. The athletes clear the distance between the launch and landing sections of the gap jump by sailing through the air above the gap, and land on the landing section, which is sloped forward to decrease the landing impact.
The third section is almost invariably a quarter pipe.
The quarter pipes can be 5.4m (18') or greater in height and serve as either a speed break, or as another launch point from which the athlete sails directly vertical into the air off the top lip of the ramp, before falling back down and landing on the quarter pipe transition again.
Other additions and modifications have been tried on mega ramps, such as the tall flatbox with a rainbow rail that was added to the Point X mega ramp.
The total length of these structures varies from approximately 60m (200') to 108m (360') in length.
History
Mega ramps became popular in mainstream professional competition after being skated by Danny WayDanny Way
Danny Way is a professional skateboarder.-Awards and achievements:* 1986: Won the first contest he entered at age 11* 1989: Won his first vert contest in Michigan...
in a King of Skate event. Yet another full scale mega ramp was constructed at Point X camp, with footage first unveiled in the DC skate video. Danny Way then used a much larger mega ramp to jump over the Great Wall of China
Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is a series of stone and earthen fortifications in northern China, built originally to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire against intrusions by various nomadic groups...
in 2005.
Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins was the first female to skate a mega ramp.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzR7fQvMj3w
The youngest skateboarder to attempt a mega ramp run was Taylor Smith
Taylor Smith
Taylor 'Rustipher' Smith is a junior outfielder on the University of Washington's Division I softball team. She was a member of the team that won the NCAA 2009 softball national championship in Oklahoma City.-Personal life:...
. He completed it unharmed at age 11.
In New York City, June 12, 2008, Kevin Robinson broke the Freestyle BMX air world record, setting the new benchmark height at 8.1m (27') on a roll-in/quarter pipe mega ramp setup. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrM4KVNwB94
MegaRamp at the X Games
The MegaRamp has been employed in competition at the X GamesX Games
The X Games is a commercial annual sports event, controlled and arranged by US sports broadcaster ESPN, which focuses on action sports. The inaugural X Games was held in the summer of 1995 in Rhode Island....
, where it is called "Big Air", since X Games X in 2004 for skateboard
Skateboard
A skateboard is typically a specially designed plywood board combined with a polyurethane coating used for making smoother slides and stronger durability, used primarily for the activity of skateboarding. The first skateboards to reach public notice came out of the surfing craze of the early 1960s,...
and 2006 for BMX
BMX
Bicycle motocross or BMX refers to the sport in which the main goal is extreme racing on bicycles in motocross style on tracks with inline start and expressive obstacles, and it is also the term that refers to the bicycle itself that is designed for dirt and motocross cycling.- History :BMX started...
. One of the scariest moments in X Games history occurred on Skateboard Big Air at X Games XIII in 2007 when Jake Brown
Jake Brown
Jake 'Ironman' Brown is an Australian skateboarder who competes in the X Games. He began competing in 1996, turning pro the following year.Brown's sponsors are Blind, DVS, Spitfire, Independent, and Monster Energy....
lost control going into the quarter-pipe after landing the first gap 720 in Big Air history, and fell over 40 feet to the bottom of the ramp, landing hard on his side. Surprisingly, he escaped with only a concussion and bruising, and walked away with little assistance.
Despite the fall, Jake would repeat as silver-medalist in 2007, and would finally win gold in the event at X Games XV
X Games XV
X Games XV was the fifteenth annual X Games. It was an action sporting event which took place from July 30 - August 2, 2009 in Los Angeles, California at the Staples Center and the Home Depot Center...
in 2009, giving him a medal in the event in four consecutive years.
At X Games XV, Danny Way brought a rail apparatus for the gap portion of Big Air in a special exhibition event called the "Skateboard Big Air Rail Jam".
External links
Megaramp official website Oi Megarampa official website MegaRampage official website MelbourneMelbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...