‘it’s no surprise that many young skateboarders are lacking the mentorship and guidance that would naturally teach them about skatepark etiquette’
THE SKATEPARK ETIQUETTE GUIDE
Vince Onel
June 2025
You wrote a book about skatepark etiquette for beginners and their parents. What triggered the idea?
I think it began with the selfish desire to create a more enjoyable and fun skatepark experience for myself. I noticed an exponential increase in the number of beginner skateboarders visiting skateparks, which is great for someone like me whose livelihood is dependent on high demand for skateparks, but many of these younger riders seemed to lack a basic understanding of skatepark etiquette. Not to sound like an old tough guy, but when I was growing up, you learned skateboarding and skatepark etiquette the hard way. If you broke one of the unwritten rules, an older, more experienced skateboarder would let you know via verbal or physical assault. If that didn’t work, you’d be labeled a “kook” within the local skateboarding community and that reputation would follow you around until the public shame eventually forced you to follow the agreed upon code of conduct. For better or worse, that “tough love” approach is less common in modern society, plus with a giant population of skateboarders, rather than a small tightknit community, it’s no surprise that many young skateboarders are lacking the mentorship and guidance that would naturally teach them about skatepark etiquette. Once I got more serious about writing the book and started sharing the concept with colleagues and friends, I realized this was desperately missing puzzle piece and could make a better skatepark experience for skateboarders across the globe, not just myself.
Physical assault? Are we putting skaters in a bad light here or have you experienced this yourself?
Aggressive physical acts and intimidation were not unique to skateboarding in my mind. I’m sure it was common a couple of decades ago for teenagers participating in other sports such as football, basketball, etc. to experience a bit of hazing and bullying from the older crowd. I was personally never attacked but I definitely witnessed some fights and skateboards getting tossed to the other end of the skatepark. Probably the worst I experienced in my younger years was someone more advanced riding toward me aggressively, with intentionally no concern for whether or not I got out of the way in time.
‘I think headphones isolate you from the communal energy of the skatepark. Which for me is one of the coolest aspects of skateparks.’
What is the number one mistake beginners consistently do at the park?
The most common issue I’ve observed is beginners simply not paying attention to their surroundings, which leads to them getting in the way. It’s in no way malicious, but they tend to keep their head down and get lost in their own thoughts, rather than slowing down a bit to understand the flow patterns of the skatepark and the proper places to wait their turn. Headphones are also a personal pet peeve of mine. I understand and respect why some people wear them at a skatepark, but they tend to block out the auditory signals that are key to preventing collisions. Plus, unless it’s a solo early morning session, I think headphones isolate you from the communal energy of the skatepark. Which for me is one of the coolest aspects of skateparks.
In the book you list 12 essential tips. What is number 13 that did not make the cut?
Post publishing, I thought of a good tip to add if I ever create a second edition. I was at a skatepark and noticed that when a beginner skateboarder and a more advanced skateboarder are riding toward one another on a potential collision path, the less experienced skateboarder tends to get anxious and swerve wildly to one side. Sometimes they swerve to the correct side, but often times they overthink the situation and end up swerving into the same direction the more advanced rider was moving toward to avoid the collision. The odds of safely avoiding a collision go up significantly when the beginner skateboarder just stays within their current line and the advanced skateboarder, who is typically going faster, skillfully navigates around them.
If you had to write a book about skatepark etiquette for established and confident skaters, what would some of the tips be?
I think the same rules generally apply to more experienced skateboarders as well. Wax etiquette for example, was written in reference to riders who are skilled enough to be waxing obstacles. It’s also important to keep in mind that every skatepark is different, so even though you have the vibe and flow of your local / daily skatepark dialed, these tips can serve as a helpful refresher when visiting a new skatepark for the first time.
I read that in the early years, you were always chased by the cops on the campus where your dad worked as a professor. What was the mood like during dinner?
(Laughing) Thankfully, my parents were generally supportive of my passion for skateboarding when I was growing up. I think they viewed it as a harmless adolescent hobby, though after a couple of incidents where I was handcuffed and ticketed by local police, they did take a stern tone with me and expressed concern that I was jeopardizing future career opportunities. Ironically, that childhood passion eventually evolved into a professional career, which they ultimately embraced and championed once they understood the legitimacy and sophistication of the work.
You work for Spohn Ranch in LA which designs and constructs skateparks around the US. What do you do different compared to other skatepark companies?
We are known for well-balanced skateparks. Both in terms of covering the full spectrum of skill levels, as well as terrain styles. Not too much transition. Not too gnarly. Just right. What I’m personally most passionate about and what also sets us apart is a focus on creative obstacles. Over time, it seems the majority of skateparks tend to look very similar, with the same checklist of obstacles. I enjoy designing unique, abstract obstacles that you’ve never seen before and that challenge the creative part of your brain. That’s what really drew me to skateboarding when I was young – the ability to express your personal style and character by how you creatively approached the random architecture you’d find out in the streets. When a skatepark is full of obstacles we’ve already seen and we already know all the ways in which they can be ridden, the imagination and creative fire is lost. My goal at Spohn Ranch is to keep that fire continually lit with innovative designs that make you think.
‘But when that skatepark reminds me of the freedom and creative challenge of riding forbidden urban architecture as a young kid, that’s the ideal setting.’
Which skatepark stands out the most for you personally that you designed and why?
The project that comes to mind is one I’m currently working on for my hometown of Iowa City, Iowa. We are demolishing and replacing my childhood skatepark, which obviously creates a bittersweet feeling. Bitter because the backdrop for so many special memories will be turned to rubble, but sweet because my hometown has entrusted me with the responsibility of designing a home for the next generation of Iowa City skateboarders. It’s a really cool “full circle” moment for my career. I compare it to heart surgeon performing heart surgery on their own child. I’m simultaneously the best possible person to design this skatepark and also the worst, because I want to do such a good job, that I’m almost crippled by insecurity that it won’t live up to my impossibly high standards. Stay tuned!
Which skatepark grabs your attention that has not been built by Spohn Ranch?
When I’m seeking inspiration, I go outside of the skatepark world and study progressive architects and landscape architects who are designing pedestrian plazas and other public spaces. I’ve got the nuts and bolts of skatepark design dialed, but it’s often helpful for my creative process to understand how other designers are pushing boundaries in terms of spectator seating, material choices and the interplay between landscape and hardscape. The one that comes to mind is Hollenbeck Skatepark in East LA. The minimalist design, incorporation of landscaping and the architectural details makes it feel very close to a true street spot. With two young children and a demanding career, I have limited free time, so when I do skate, I will typically opt for a skatepark because it’s a predictable experience that allows me to maximize my time. But when that skatepark reminds me of the freedom and creative challenge of riding forbidden urban architecture as a young kid, that’s the ideal setting. I’ll forever be chasing that feeling from my youth.
Last question. If you could interview one person, who would it be?
I’m sure I would enjoy conversations with many acclaimed artists and architects, but my gut keeps telling me to interview both of my grandfathers. One passed before I was born and the other when I was a young boy. I’m hopeful hearing their stories and perspectives firsthand would be extremely inspirational and help shape my vision for my career and the impact I leave behind when I’m gone, both for my family and the planet as a whole.