No, it is not skateboarding!
I never really got the hang of skateboards, and scooters were not really a thing when I was growing up, but I have always loved building and making stuff. Legos, Meccano, nailing two pieces of wood together, whatever needed building or assembling, I am your man. No wonder I became a tradesman. I just could not wait to get out of school and start building.
I have tackled lots of projects over the years but probably my favourite was when my son said, "The local skate park bowl is too steep and scary to drop in." He was only young at the time, in primary school, maybe 8 to 10 years old.
I had a look at the local skate park ramps and bowls. Back then, there were not a lot of beginner ramps in our area and there was no way I could take the drop on a skateboard, scooter or even a bike at the skate park. So I just started building and experimenting.
It was such a good bonding experience with my son and his mates.
Also a great bargaining tool tool make sure he did his school homework!
It was not long before they could built enough skill and confidence to handle to big drop ins at the skate parks.
Once I had an idea of what was going to work I dismantled our old pergola and reused the timber to put together a beginners half pipe with no big vertical drop in. We had always wanted a bigger outdoor area so this was the perfect opportunity and a good use of available recourses.
The new pergola area cost a small fortune but I was able to save a bit by buying it as a kit and installing it myself with just a little help from a few of the neighbours.
The ramp pretty much cost nothing. It was made from all second hand and left over stuff I had collected over years from job sites and, of course, the old pergola.
My son is all grown up now and guess what?! He is a tradesman too!
The ramp got well used for many years, though it eventually started to rot away since it was exposed to the harsh Queensland weather. After it was obvious he wouldn't use it anymore, it ended up at the dump.
The grass in the backyard has only just now fully grown back.
My ramp photos always bring back some great memories.
All photos taken by me.