Skate parks can be a very difficult place to be if you do not have the appropriate etiquette, yet if you do; it surely counts as one of the best places to be. People can be very harsh, hostile and arrogant towards you if you are inconsiderate. The below tips will explain the appropriate etiquette in a skate park so you will be able to make the best of your time there.
There are a variety of different atmospheres in a skate park thus everyone interacts in various ways. That is what makes skate parks diverse. There are also a lot of different activities that one may take on such as: riding a BMX, rollerbladers, riding a scooter and of course skateboarding in a skate park. There are not two skate parks which enclose similar atmospheres, consequently making each skate park have a slightly different etiquette due to the diversity of people and activities that are taking place.
The ambiance in every skate park is different. There are skate parks where everyone skates like a pro and look down on others. There are also skate parks which a lot of beginners start learning tricks and which are friendly. You then get a skate park which is an all rounder, you get good skateboarders, and you get beginner skateboarders who seem to get along and do not mind each other; these are the best skate parks to go to, but there may not be many around near you.
There are a lot of people who go there, the ones who go their regularly are called the regulars or the locals. They are normally quite friendly and understanding in some skate parks. You also get the beginners who are rather quite nervous since they are just learning and are quite scared to try and attempt tricks. There are also quite a lot of kids with scooters going mad and getting in everybody's way with their parents watching. Quite a lot of people sit and watch the skateboarders as well. This variety is what makes a skate park a great place to be and interact.
There are not really rules on what you should do and how you should do it, but what you should have is respect and some common sense. In a skate park there is a lot of eye contact, you wait your turn, signal for another to go before you or to tell them that you are going. You try not to get in everyone's way and just skate and converse with others. Most likely there will be a group of people who take turns skating in the bowl, and then get out for the next person, if it is a smaller bowl.
In a skate park no one will really bother you if you actually do not get in their way. This may seem hard but it isn't, do not cut corners and bash in with them. It hurts and gets everybody angry and mad.
In America most skate parks enforce protective gear, such as helmets and knee pads for healthy and safety reason. In the UK, this is not enforced. So it would be best to wear knee pads and a helmet to protect yourself and give your parents and yourself peace of mind. A lot of skateboarder say that it helps them feel safer when wearing a helmet and skateboarding in bowls, so if they do get into a major accident, it will be more likely to be minor if you are wearing protective gear.
It is best not to eat food in a skate park and dump your litter anywhere, it is extremely hazardous and others could slide all over spills and get their wheels caught up in wrappers. If you must eat, eat outside the skate park for the right etiquette and safety for everybody else.
So if you are a beginner and you are too scared to skateboard, don't be. You really do not need to be shy and be painfully aware of anyone who is watching. All skateboarders have been through that experience; they haven't just got on a skateboard and magically seem to be great. It does take time and practise, not to mention not caring if anybody is watching you or not.
You get all sorts of skateboarding words at a skate park. Most likely if you do not know much about skate parks you probably wouldn't know. Yes, there may be vulgarity at a skate park, but there also is quite a lot of other language, some good and some not so good. Skate parks are a diverse place.
A skate park is a skate park; you go there to skateboard, in-line skate, BMX or whatever suits you're fancy. Respect others, wait your turn and more importantly make sure you that you have an excellent time!