How to Build Your Own Half-Pipe

Skateboarding was originally a fad of the late seventies but has since re-emerged to be the favorite hobby of millions of teenagers. Many communities don’t have proper skateboard facilities for their youth, leaving them to ply their supra skateboard skills on public sidewalks, curbs, and staircases. Since these public areas aren’t designed to accommodate skateboarders, what can parents do to help their kids play safely? Build them a half-pipe of their own. It’s not terribly complicated or expensive and all you need is a little lumber and some yard space.

Plans for building a half-pipe are readily available on the Internet so I’ll just give a brief overview here. You’ll be building in three sections: the two sloped ends and a flat plane between them. Depending on your design you’ll need 6-10 sheets of plywood, a few dozen 2×4 studs, nails or wood screws, some sheet plastic, and paint.

The two sides of each end will be cut out of full sheets of plywood. Trace your slope on one piece piece, cut it out, then use it as a template for the other three. You’ll join these sides with framing and support beams cut from the studs. Attaching plywood to the framing will be made easier if you soak the sheets in cold water for 4-6 hours (a lawn sprinkler works great for this!). Once the sides are complete it’s best to put them in position before starting to build the center plane.

Lay your sheet plastic down to prevent moisture from rotting the wood, then put the sides in their permanent place. Using the remainder of the lumber, construct a flat plane that joins the two ends. Sand the entire surface smooth and paint it with exterior flat paint. The paint gives a smoother and more slick surface for the skateboard wheels to run on.

As with any sports activity, skateboarding should be enjoyed with a few safety rules in force.

First and foremost, the proper safety gear including elbow and knee pads, gloves, a medical alert bracelet if you have any existing medical conditions, and a helmet should be used by all riders. Individual riders should take turns on the half-pipe with no more than one rider engaged at any given time. Multiples riders in the half-pipe simultaneously is a very dangerous practice.

Next, the half-pipe shouldn’t be used if it’s wet or during inclement weather. Even if painted, plywood becomes extremely slippery when it gets wet, increasing the likelihood of a serious accident. Allow a full day of drying time after a soaking rain; light showers will require less drying time.

Finally, repair any damage or wear to the half-pipe immediately. Allowing things like cracks, popped nails, or chipped surfaces to go unattended could pose a potential safety risk for young riders.