half pipe

Intermediate ⚽ Sports / Fitness

Definition

A U-shaped ramp structure used in skateboarding, snowboarding, and BMX biking that allows riders to build momentum and perform aerial tricks by transitioning side to side.

Example Usage

The skater launched out of the half pipe and caught huge air with a backflip grab.

Origin

Adapted from swimming pool design; pioneered in skateboarding in the 1970s when riders began skating empty pools and then constructed wooden ramps mimicking their shape.

Fun Fact

The first permanent half pipes were built in the 1980s and revolutionized skateboarding by enabling more consistent and creative trick progression.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)