Halfpipe

A halfpipe is a structure used in gravity extreme sports such as snowboarding, skateboarding, freestyle BMX and inline skating. The structure is usually wood, although sometimes the surface is made of another material. Appearance wise, it resembles a cross section of a swimming-pool, and in its most basic form, it consists of two concave ramps (or quarterpipes), topped by copings and decks, facing each other across a transition. Originally halfpipes were simply half sections of a large pipe. Since the 1980's halfpipes have had extended flat ground (the transition) between the quarterpipes and the original style halfpipes have become curiosities. The flat ground gives the athlete time to regain balance after landing and more time to prepare for the next trick.

Related Topics:
Extreme sports - Snowboarding - Skateboarding - BMX - Inline skating - Quarterpipes

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The attraction of the halfpipe lies in the fact that a skilled athlete can play on it for an extended period of time, using a technique called pumping, to attain extreme velocities, while expending relatively little effort. Large (high amplitude) halfpipes make possible many of the aerial tricks in BMX, in-line skating and skateboarding.

Related Topics:
Amplitude - Skateboarding

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For winter sports such as freestyle skiing or snowboarding, a halfpipe can be dug out of the ground or created by piling snow up. The plane of the transition is oriented downhill at a slight grade to allow riders to use gravity to develop speed and facilitate drainage of melt. In the absence of snow, dug out halfpipes can be used by dirtboarders, motorcyclists, and mountain bikers.

Related Topics:
Freestyle skiing - Snowboarding - Mountain bikers

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