Talk about a youth movement in women's surfing! How about the Honda U.S. Open champion who will turn 15 in August? She's surfer Malia Manuel of Wailua, Kauai, who defeated another Hawaiian, Coco Ho, who is all of 17. The teen revolution took place July 26 at Huntington Beach, south of Los Angeles, known to the world as Surf City USA.

Malia was a wild card because she had not entered enough events to be seeded, and she modestly said she was fortunate to catch a few good waves on a slow overall day. The surf averaged only 2 to 3 feet.

What will she do with the $4,500 prize?

"I think I'm going to buy some tires and rims for my Honda Civic, so when I'm 16, I can drive it." A youth movement indeed. She also said she felt "stoked."

She added, "I was just happy to be here. To get to surf against some of my heroes and to be in the final with my friend Coco is just something I would have never dreamed of."

Coco also has a wavy future and said she felt "over the moon" just to make the finals. She's the daughter of the legendary Michael Ho and the niece of former world champ Derek Ho. She took in $2,300 as women's runner up and copped another $3,000 earlier in the day as the women's junior winner. These days in surfing, it's tough to tell the women from the girls.

The full, somewhat bulky competition title is "GO211 LIVE featuring the Women's Honda U.S. Open of Surfing presented by O'Neill." Whew! That's a wave in itself, but sponsorship is a needed avenue to take the sport to a higher level.

Sources:
www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-surfing27-2008jul27,0,1283027/la-sp-su7.story
www.surfline.com/surfnews/surfwire/cfm?id=13420
www.freesurfmagazine.com/Volume-5-Number-3/Garden-Isle-Girl-Malia-Manuel.html

Montana is not the first place you think of when you think of skateboarding vacation destinations, however, Missoula, Montana is quickly developing into a great skater community. This city is the home of the University of Montana, two skateparks, numerous skateboarding events and countless opportunities to skate in the great outdoors. If you are looking for a hidden jewel of a skateboarder vacation destination, come to the Garden City.

Missoula Skateboarding Parks

There are currently two skateboarding parks in Missoula, Montana. The first is the YMCA Skatepark of Missoula. It can be found at 3000 Russell St., which is in the southeastern corner of the city. The YMCA Skatepark of Missoula is the city's oldest park. The second, and best park in Missoula, is the Mobash Skatepark, located on the corner of Orange Street and Glens Lane, which is just across the Orange Street Bridge on the west side of the street. This is a large outdoor concrete park with about 15,000 square feet of skating terrain, two bowl features and a street course. This park is the home to numerous skateboarding events each year.

Missoula Skating Events

Missoula is a community that enjoys outdoor fun, and since the opening of the Mobash Skatepark, the city has continuously added new skateboarding events each year. Free skateboarding and extreme sport demonstrations are common events that you can sit in on. Other events include the Go Skateboarding Day! and Skate Jam. Check out the Independent or the Missoulian for the latest event dates and venues.

Buying Boards in the Garden City

While in Missoula don't forget to do a little shopping. Whether you are looking for a light jacket to skate in or custom boards, you find what you are looking for along the Higgins boardwalk in downtown Missoula or in one of the many shopping districts in the city. Some of the places you can buy boards and gear include:

▪ Edge of the World, 618 S. Higgins
▪ Bob Ward and Sons, 3015 Paxson St.
▪ Gart Sports, 2640 N. Reserve St.
▪ Play It Again Sports, 2230 N. Reserve St.

What can be said about the Mobash Skatepark in Missoula, Montana? It is in the heart of a recreational wonderland, close to a river, close to hiking trails, close to the University of Montana and close to the Downtown shopping district. Whether you are visiting Missoula, or you live here, this is a skatepark you won't want to miss.

Mobash Skatepark - Missoula, Montana

The Mobash Skatepark is a 15,000 square feet and found near a recreational development just across the Orange Street Bridge in Missoula, Montana. You can find this skatepark on the corner of Orange Street and Gregs Lane. This is a concrete skateparkwith a great selection of bowl and street course features. You will be required to wear a helmet, but pads are optional. However, if you value your knees and skin, wear appropriate padding.

The highlight of this park is its bowl features. Here you will find one large bowl that has depths that vary from about six feet to about eight feet and a kidney bowl. Inside the main bowl formation, you will find a cradle, bank walls and pool coping. The kidney bowl also offers coping and easy in and out banking. If you are a street course aficionado, you will love the one at the Mobash Skatepark. This course offers a granite surface, terraced inclines, rails, ledges and a long back wall.

Boarding and Skating at the Mobash

This park was designed specifically for skaters and skateboarders. Bikes aren't allowed in this park, which makes things safer for all involved. This park is a great place to host a birthday party or just hang out with your friends. The community loves this park, and it is the site of many thrilling free skating and boarding demonstrations. You will even occasionally see extreme sports stars make guest appearances at these events.

So, while you are taking a break from hiking, rafting or visiting the University of Montana, pull on a pair of board shorts and stop by to dive into a bowl or practice riding rails at the Mobash. It's not a bad way to spend an afternoon.

When you think of Las Vegas you naturally think of the Strip, flashy light displays, casinos and world class entertainment. However, Las Vegas also has another side, one that is skater friendly. Las Vegas has one of the largest selections of free skateparks in the United States. It has at least 11 free skateparks that are perfect for beginners, five skateparks that work well for intermediate/advanced skaters, as well as one of the West's largest skateparks.

Beginner/Intermediate Las Vegas Skateparks

Las Vegas is actually a great place to visit with your family or by yourself if you are a skateboarder. In addition to adult only entertainment, the city/county also offers numerous concrete parks where you can skate and develop your boarding skills. Below is a list of 11 free concrete parks that offer a variety of terrains and obstacles for you to practice on.

▪ Cambridge Rec Center, 3930 Cambridge Street

▪ Durango Hills Park, 3521 N. Durango

▪ Garehime Park, 3901 N. Campbell Rd.

▪ Martin Luther King Park, 5439 E. Casey Avenue

▪ Police Memorial Park, 3250 Metro Academy Way

▪ West Flamingo Park, 6255 W. Flamingo

▪ Duck Creek Park, 8650 Pollack Dr.

▪ Freedom Park, 850 Mojave Road

▪ James Gay, III Park, 197 W. Harrison Ave.

▪ Patriot Park, 4050 Thom Blvd.

▪ Winchester Park, 3130 S. McLeod Dr.

Intermediate/Advanced Las Vegas Skateparks

The free skateparks that are best suited for intermediate and advanced skaters include more features than the concrete parks that are advertised for beginners. These parks can have ramps, rails and bowls. There are six skateparks in Las Vegas that work well for experienced skaters and they are:

▪ Desert Breeze Park, 8275 Spring Mountain Rd.

▪ Silverado Ranch Park, 8650 Pollack Drive

▪ W. Wayne Bunker Family Park, 7351 W. Alexander Rd.

▪ Mountain Ridge, 7151 Oso Blanca Rd.

▪ Sunny Spring Park, 7620 Golden Talon Ave.

▪ Doc Ronco Park, 7400 Peak Dr. (Biggest and best park in Vegas!)

As you can see Las Vegas is a city that is set up for skateboarders. No matter if you are traveling with your parents, or planning your own vacation, Las Vegas is one of the best vacation destinations for skateboarders. So remember to pack your skateboarding shoes and gear before you leave for Sin City!

Learn all about the coolest skate park in Moorestown, New Jersey, the Moorestown Vans Skatepark.

Moorestown, New Jersey is known for a couple of things. First of all it is known as being the home of the Perkins Center for the Arts, and secondly it is known for its ghosts. If you live in this city or will be visiting it soon and you are a skater, then you need to visit one of the city's best skateparks, the Moorestown Vans Skatepark. This park has everything you could ever want in an indoor mall based skatepark.

Moorestown Vans Skatepark - What it Has to Offer

The Moorestown Vans Skatepark is know for its well rounded collection of skatepark terrains and features. If you are a fan of street courses then you will have a lot of fun ripping down their finished birch wood street course. This street course not only has straight aways and curves, but it also has obstacles that you would typically see on the street. For example, there are fire hydrants, gaps, wall rides, planters, ledges, stairs and ledges.

In addition to the street course, Moorestown Vans Skatepark also has a great collection of ramps and pipes. They have a vert ramp, a ¼ pipe and a ½ pipe. This skatepark even has a kid's course, however, according to the locals this skatepark is better suited for intermediate and advanced skaters. If you are a beginner/newbie, you are better off developing your skating skills off-site before you attempt the rides and ramps at Vans Skatepark.

Gearing Up for Moorestown Vans Skatepark

Like most other skateparks in the country, Moorestown Vans Skatepark is a skate at your own risk park. This means you are responsible for keeping your body in one piece while skating there. To protect yourself from injuries you need a helmet, pads, a good board and a decent pair of skate shoes. A little common sense is also good to use, especially if you are a novice skateboarder or if there are less experienced skaters running the course when you are there.

Brazilian surfer Raoni Moneiro has the surfing potential to become his country's first world champion.

Brazil is known for producing the world's best soccer players, not the world's best surfers, but Raoni Moneiro breaks the mold.

At 26, the former World Junior Champion hopes he still has his best days ahead with the men. He has a flashy and electric style - think of Pele and all of those other Brazilian soccer greats - but his daring approach has led to some injuries now and then. He also focuses on family life, missing a big World Pro Surfers event in Japan several years ago when his first child was born.

Life in the pro surfer ranks can be difficult, he says, because travel from coastal Brazil requires thousands of miles. Still, he says he is overjoyed with his success, and with the opportunity to make many new friends worldwide.

Moneiro grew up in the small town of Saquarema, about 30 miles from Rio de Janiero. Surfing was not a major part of the city's culture, and so he did not have a whole lot of company as he pursued his childhood dreams.

"At the school, the teachers would ask, 'What do you want to do?' I would tell them that I wanted to become a pro surfer," he recalls. "Anytime I would say that, they would laugh. Every time they laughed. But I decided I want to be someone, and here I am. I just do my job."

Saquarema does not have the highest tides, either. The result is that Moneiro is best known for his work in small, punchy waves. He has devoted himself to catching up on his skills in big-wave surfing. One of his best recent performances was during his freesurfs at Chile's "El Gringo" during the Rip Curl Pro Search in 2007.

He burst onto the pro scene in 2003 with a standout season in the World Qualifying Series, and now he is pushing to regain his peak performance. Many of his fellow competitors are rooting for him. He is among the favorites in the pro ranks, known for his humble and laid-back style. One writeup described him "as relaxed as a hammock."

Still, there is a fire inside. Moneiro's half-circular tattoo across his upper chest rides a wave toward both shoulders. It states: "Think it. Feel it. Do it."

SOURCES:
ripcurl.com/index.php?raonimontiero
worldprosurfers.com/outspoken_surfers_interviews.htm

Visit Omaha, Nebraska's first skate park - Roberts Skate Park.

Finding a skatepark can be a challenge if you live in an area that doesn't have a history of skateboarding fame. Fortunately, however, there has been a dramatic increase in skateboarding popularity across the country and as a result many cities have decided to invest in skateparks. If you live in Omaha, Nebraska then one of your best skatepark options is the Roberts Skate Park. This was the first skatepark opened in Omaha and it offers skaters of all skill levels a great place to practice and grind.

The Basics

The Roberts Skate Park can be found at 730 N. 78thStreet, Omaha, Nebraska. If you don't know where this is, it is basically a block north of Cass. This park was opened right before Halloween in 1999 and today it offers about 14,000 square feet of skating fun and is 100 percent free to use.

This park is only open to skaters and skateboarders. BMX bikes and scooters are not allowed in the park. The park is open daily from five in the morning until 11 at night. To use the park you will need to follow the park's rules. The rules include: no glass containers, no waxing of park surfaces, you can't skate against traffic, you need to be considerate of other skaters and you need to skate at your own risk. There are special rules for using the ramps in the park, for example the ramp has to be clear before the next skater can use it. It is important that you familiarize yourself with these rules.

Skate Park Features

For the city's first skate park, Roberts offers a lot of great features. If you are interested in urban elements then you will be happy to hear that this park has ramps, quarter pipes, a fun box, stairs and grinding blocks. This park also offers a great transition area with a Snake Run. The Snake Run will bring you into two different bowls, the most challenging is the seven foot bowl and the other bowl is about four feet deep. As you explore this park keep your eyes open for special skater artwork including skater silhouettes made from galvanized steel.

Some professional female skateboarders opt to abandon the sport before they even finish their teen years. Not Vanessa Torres, who still is going strong at age 22.

Young female pro skateboarders get less publicity and less money than the fellows. They also are more likely as young adults to hang it up and roll elsewhere in life ... Not Vanessa Torres. At 22 years old (born 7/17/86), she still says her favorite skate place is "anywhere with the crew" and that her place of residence is "anywhere on the road." (By the way, her birthplace is Anaheim, California.)

As far as winning in competition, Vanessa's glory days were as a teen. She was all of 15 years old, a rookie, when she wrapped up the 2001 World Cup Skateboarding points championship. She continued her string of victories during 2002, and a year later she became the first female skateboarder to win a gold medal at the X Games.

Also in 2003, the young lady known as "V" or "Ness" was part of a landmark documentary, "AKA: Girl Skater." Filmmakers followed Torres, Amy Caron, Monica Shawn and Jaime Reyes on a tour of Australia. The half-hour flick shows the women doing demos and signing autographs, but it also explores their skateboarding culture. Amy Caron eventually won a new car in Melbourne, which at the time was the biggest prize in women's pro boarding history. Vanessa placed third. Some observers remarked that the women seemed to have smaller egos, but more fun, than their male peers.

"I'm a girl who lives and believes in what I do with a natural passion," Vanessa Torres says. "I am so determined to do my best, and my best is performing tricks on my skateboard that would be difficult for boys to accomplish. Most of all, I love doing my very best for me, and to encourage other girls."

She doesn't win as often nowadays, but she still is a good bet for the top five. She's a team player to promote skateboarding, but she also maintains her independence. For example, when recently asked whether she prefers cookies or ice cream, her "neither" response was truffles. Her primary sponsor is Element Skateboards and her primary tattoo is a big albino tiger on the left side of her back. Vanessa Torres, the former young tiger on the 2001 circuit, now is a seasoned pro. Still, she knows how to maintain her youthful brand of enthusiasm.

Sources:
maloofmoneycup.com/bios/bios.php?name=Vanessa+Torres<p>skatelog.com/skaters/vanessa-torres/
skateboarddirectory.com
skateamerica.com/sitemap/content,pages/Pro-skate-Vanessa-Torres-1216.html

Learn about skateparks, shops and events in and around Atlanta, Georgia.

Skateboarding is spreading around the globe. However, some major cities are taking a little longer to catch up with this trend then others. Atlanta, Georgia is one major city that is starting to build a better repertoire of skateparks, skateboarding events and skateboard shops. If you are visiting this city and are a skateboarder, then you will be glad to learn that there are some great events to participate in, and some fun skateparks to visit in the surrounding communities.

Atlanta Area Skateparks

While there are several Atlanta city skateparks currently being developed, right now your best option for finding one is to search the surrounding communities. The first park that you can visit is the Front Side Skatepark. It is located at 850 Jamerson Road in Marietta, Georgia 30066. If you will be staying near Kennesaw, Georgia then you can stop by the NorthWest YMCA Skate Park, which can be found at 1700 Dennis Kemp Lane, Kennesaw, Georgia 30152.

Other parks that are located close to Atlanta, Georgia include Pinckneyville Park, 4758 South Old Peachtree Road, Norcross, Georgia; Progressive Skatepark, 1153 Marietta Highway, Canton, Georgia; Skatelife Skatepark, 114 Woodward Street, Rome, Georgia; SPOA Skatepark of Athens, 4440 Lexington Road, Athens, Georgia; the Infinity Skatepark, Rivers Road, NW., Buckhead, Georgia; and Waller Skatepark, 250 Oak Street, Roswell, Georgia.

Atlanta Skate Shops and Events

Atlanta is the home to several annual skateboarding events. One of the most popular is the Woodward Skatepark Contest Series. This contest runs in February and March, and skaters of all ages can win prizes and free skating rights for a full year. Other Atlanta skateboarding events include the SK8 or Die skateboarding art event in May and the Go Skateboarding Day in June.

While visiting the city and surrounding areas, don't forget to get a little shopping in. In Atlanta you can by gear at Stratosphere Skateboards located at 1141 Euclid Avenue N.E. as well as at Ruin, located at 6125 Roswell Rd, N.E. If you will be near Athens then you can stop by the Feral Skate Shop on 190 Park Avenue. Marietta and Kennesaw are also two nearby towns that have a couple of skate shops.

Learn about one of the biggest skateparks in the American Southwest, Los Altos Skate Park found in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Albuquerque, New Mexico is known for its art and cuisine, however, it is also the home of one of the biggest skateparks in the Southwest. Los Altos Skate Park can be found at 10140 ½ Lomas, Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is a free Skatepark that has a lot to offer.

Basics

The Los Altos Skate Park offers about 35,000 square feet of skating terrain. Within all of this square footage are three distinct zones, a street course and two combination bowls. The first combination bowl is made up of three bowls of varying depths. The second combination bowl is made up of four bowls, each having its own shape. Here you will find a rectangular bowl, a round bowl, an angular bowl and a tear-drop bowl. In addition to the bowls and street course you will also find a variety of structures and textures to grind such as rails, benches and ridges, not to mention a scoot and ride and a pyramid.

Hours of Operation

Between May and August the Los Altos Skate Park will be on its summer hours. This means that the park will be open Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. Between September and April the park's winter hours will be in effect. Winter hours are seven days a week from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. The park managers will cue you when the park is about to close by turning off the north lights. Five minutes after closing, the south lights will be turned off. The parking lot lights will be turned off a half hour after closing.

Rules of the Park

To use this park you will need to wear a helmet if you are under 18. Other safety equipment is not required, but heavily recommended. Since this is a skate-at-your-own-risk park you will want to make sure you protect your assets. Next, keep in mind that that if it rains you will not be able to use the park. Finally, alcohol is not allowed.

Learn all about skateparks, events and shops to visit while touring the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia.

Philadelphia is known for its history, its sports and now its X-sports. If you are a skateboarder and are looking for a destination vacation, then consider Philadelphia. After seeing the normal tourist attractions that this city has to offer, you can grind some concrete at one of the many city skateparks or take part in one of the many annual events.

Skateparks in Philadelphia

When you travel to Philadelphia don't forget to bring your skateboard and gear. This city has several great parks including an X-Game park located in the Franklin Mall. In addition to the X Games Skate Park, you will also find the United Skate Park of Philadelphia at the Franklin Mall, located at 1455 Franklin Mills Circle, Suite 100. Your other Skatepark options include the Title 10 Skatepark, located at 901 N. Delaware Avenue; the Whitehall Skatepark, located at 5000 Tulip Street; and the Woodward Skatepark, located at 1943 Franklin Mills Circle.

Philadelphia Skate Events

Philadelphia has been slated as one of the best skateboarder vacation destinations since the turn of the century when the city hosted the X-Games. Now the city is home to several annual skateboard-friendly events. For example, to kick off the summer you can participate in the Go Skateboarding Day events. If you are looking for the best time of year to visit Philadelphia then think about the fall. November in particular is a great month for Philadelphia skateboard events. During this month you can participate in events like the Boom Boom Huck Jam or the Philadelphia International Championship Down Hill Race

Philadelphia Skate Shops

If shopping is your thing then Philadelphia will not disappoint. You will find the best selection of board shops around the city's skatepark. Some of your options include:

▪ Elite Sports, Inc., 611 South Street, Philadelphia, PA
▪ Subzero, 520 S. 5th Street, Philadelphia, PA
▪ Bainbridge Skateboard Shop, 700 S. 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA
▪ Nocturnal Skate Shop, 610 S. 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
▪ Slave Skateboard Shop, 3601 Lancaster Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
▪ Exit Skate Shop, 440 E. Grand Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
▪ Spectrum Board Shop, 24 W. Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, PA

Learn about the great skateparks, events and resources offered by Vancouver, B.C.

Vancouver, B.C. is one of the best places in the world to take a vacation if you are a skateboarder. This city offers numerous high quality skateparks, it is the home to the X Games Trials for this region of Canada and it has great local board shops that you can peruse. So no matter if you are looking for a break from the typical tourist attractions or are in desperate need for catching some air, you will find what you are looking for in Vancouver, B.C.

Skateparks in Vancouver, B.C.

Vancouver, B.C. is the home to at least nine skateparks. One of the best in the city is the Vancouver Downtown Skateboard Plaza. This unique skatepark looks like a Downtown office plaza, but inside there is about 26,000 square feet of terrain and features to skate. Some of the features that this skatepark offers are rails, curbs, ramps, open space, embankments, walls and steps. It also offers a variety of terrain textures to explore including exposed brick, steel and concrete. To find this park, look under the Sky Train near Georgia Street and Main Street.

If you enjoy bowel boarding then you will want to visit the Hastings Skatepark located on the corner of Triumph Street and Renfew Street. This park is known as having the best skateboarding bowels in the world, so it is at least worth a look. In total this park has three bowels with depths of 1, 2 and 3 meters. It also features a halfpipe, hips, snake run and spines.

In addition to the above skateparks there are another seven parks to choose from. If you are in Midtown Vancouver then look for Bronson. In East Vancouver there is Canada's oldest skatepark China Creek as well as Strathcona. In North Vancouver you will find Park Gate and Griffin. Outlining skateparks include Richmond and Town Center.

Other Skateboarding Resources

When planning a trip to Vancouver, B.C., you may want to talk with the Vancouver Skateboard Coalition. They will be able to tell you what skateboard events are planned, what the city's skateboarding rules are and where to find the best skateboard park for your boarding style. Finally, they can help you find great local shops to find boarding equipment and clothing.

Explore what Houston, Texas has to offer skaters. This is an up-and-coming vacation destination for skateboarders.

Houston, Texas is an up-and-coming vacation destination for skaters. This city is investing a lot of money to create state of the art skateparks for locals and visitors. In the first half of 2008 two new skateparks were opened. If you are looking for a great place to visit on your next vacation, and are a skater, then add Houston, Texas to your short list of possibilities.

Houston Skateparks

Houston is home to numerous privately owned and city owned skateparks. They offer in ground and above ground parks, as well as indoor and outdoor parks. As you can see, you have a lot of great skateboard park options to choose from. Here is a short list of the skateparks you can try out while on vacation:

Dex Skate Park, located at 10327 Lake Road and Dirtwood Ramppark, located at 948 Wakefield, are both private skateparks that are open to the public.

The city of Houston also supports seven great skateparks located throughout the city. The newest skatepark opened in Houston is the Lee and Joe Jamil Skatepark, located at 103 Sabine Street, Houston, Texas. This in ground skatepark just opened on June 1, 2008. Another skatepark opened this year is the Cliff Tuttle Park, located at 6200 Lyons, Houston, Texas. It opened on January 18, 2008 and is an above ground park.

Dyland Duncan Skate Park, a.k.a. Kingwood Skatepark, is another option that you have. It is located at 3950 Rustic Woods, Houston, Texas. If you are interested in a concrete park, then Eastwood Skate Park is a good option, and it is located at 5020 Harrisburg. If you are interested in a small skatepark, then go to Linkwood Skate Park located at 3699 Noris. Your final options are Watonga Skate Park, located at 4100 Watonga Blvd, and Clinton Skate Park, located at 200 Mississippi.

Houston Skate Events

In addition to being the home of several varieties of skateparks, Houston is also the home of several skating events. This year, in fact, Houston will be the host venue for the 12th Annual Texas Skate Jam. This even is scheduled for November 8, 2008, and will feature the nation's top skaters and tricksters.

Houston is a great city to visit if you enjoy skating. However, its efforts to cater to skaters are still in their infancy. This means that there are really few, if any, annual skating events that you can count on. Instead skating events are going to be introduced to the public through on-the-spot announcements. For example, local reading programs hosted by the city's public library include skateboard demonstrations. The best way to find skating events that are scheduled during your vacation time is to check out the local newspapers and media sources for PSA and other announcements.

Houston Skate Equipment and Shopping

What would any vacation be without shopping at local specialty stores. You can find skating equipment at several local stores including:

Cylcone Cycles, 1525 W. 18th Street, Houston, Texas 77008-1533

Kingpinz, 8584 Westheimer Road, Houston, Texas

Southside Indoor Skate Park, 510 Iowa Pasadena, Texas 77501

The Source Board Shop, 2511 Rice Blvd, Houston, Texas 77005-3220

In addition to the above stores, you can also find pro shops located at many of the larger local skateparks.

If you are looking for a great skatepark near Austin, Texas then check out the Intellect Ramp Ranch in Liberty Hill, Texas. This is just half the fun, as the sister park of Intellect is located in Round Rock, Texas.

If you are looking for the coolest skate parks in the country and are either visiting or living in Austin, Texas, then you need to try out the dual skateparks of Intellect Ramp Ranch and Capital Skatepark. These sister parks will offer you both ramp action and trick accessories. While a little driving will be involved if you want to enjoy both parks, the drive will be worth it.

Intellect Ramp Ranch

Intellect Ramp Ranch is located at 10355 Highway 29 in Liberty Hill, Texas. This is an indoor/outdoor park with over 20,000 square feet of skating terrain. This park's specialty is ramps. It offers a twelve foot vert ramp, a four foot half pipe, a three foot spine ramp and a seven foot half pipe. In addition to these ramp features this park also offers two street courses. What makes this park great is that it offers lesson and also is a great spot for buying items you need to skate.

If you are a skateboarder, BMXer or inline skater then you are welcome at this park. However, in order to use this park you will need to sign a liability waiver and follow the rules of the park. Helmets will only be required if you are under 18 years of age, and rentals are available on a limited basis.

This park is open six days a week. It is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 3:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. It is also open on the weekends. On Saturday the park's hours are from noon until 10:00 p.m. and on Sunday from noon until 7:00 p.m. This park holds weekly specials. Monday night is "Old Man's Night" and people over 18 skate for half price after 6:00 p.m. Tuesday is "Young Man's Night" and people 17 and younger will skate half price after 6:00 p.m. Wednesday girls skate half price for the whole day, Thursday bikers get a 50 percent discount after 6:00 p.m. and Friday you can skate or bike for free if you bring a paying guest.

The cost of this park is fairly affordable, compared to some of the other private skateparks in the area. VIP members will provide you with unlimited entry during normal hours of operation for an annual fee of $350. A basic six month membership costs about $30, and the daily member's fee will be $7. If you are a non-member, then your entrance fee will be $12.

Capital Skatepark

If you are interested in more than just ramps, then you will want to take your boards to Intellect Ramp Ranch's sister park, Capital Skatepark. This park is located at 2008 Picadilly Drive, Round Rock, Texas 78665. This park not only offers a great selection of skating features and terrain, but it also offers skate camps, a pro shop, contests and equipment rentals. This park is a little more expensive. It will cost $45 a month, $395 for an annual membership and a $12 non-members daily entry fee. You can save $6 a month by signing a 12 month contract with auto bank draft.

Plan a vacation in San Francisco, California, the self-proclaimed skateboarding capital of the world.

San Francisco, California has named itself the skateboarding capital of the world. However, if you want to skateboard while on vacation in this city you will need to know where to go, where to find equipment and what skating rules to follow. Use the following information to help you plan a skating themed vacation this year.

Skateboarding in San Francisco, California

Before you go skateboarding in any city it is important that you understand the rules. San Francisco is actually a very skateboarder friendly city, however, they do have a few rules that you will have to follow. First of all you can't use a motorized skateboard anywhere in the city. Next if you are under 18 years of age you are required to wear a helmet while skating. This rule applies to all skaters including skateboarders, in-line skaters and roller skaters. Rule three applies to skaters that use the city's skate parks, this rule requires you to wear safety equipment like elbow pads, kneepads and a helmet.

If you want to skateboard in the city then you need to know that you can't skateboard in the streets, nor can you skateboard on sidewalks found in the business districts of the city. You can skateboard on non-business district sidewalks, however, between sunrise and sunset. Finally, don't skate in any area, private or public, that has a no-skating sign posted. Follow these rules and you'll have a great vacation.

Parks and Areas in San Francisco, California

Obviously the first thing that skaters want to know about a vacation destination is where they can go skateboarding. In San Francisco there are several in-city skate areas that you can use including the Crocker Amazon Skatepark, which is also sometimes referred to as the San Francisco Skate Park, Pier 7 and the Golden Gate Park.

Crocker Amazon Skatepark is located off of Geneva Boulevard and is a free skate park. It is one of the only skate parks found within the city limits. Most of the skate parks in the San Francisco area are going to be found in the outlying areas and in the suburbs.

Pier 7 and the Golden Gate Park are not skate parks per se, but they are popular spots for skateboarders to ride. Technically you're not supposed to skateboard at Pier 7, but it is still a hot spot of skaters to hang out and have fun. You are allowed, and even encouraged, to skate in the Golden Gate Park. This skating destination has a lot of great paved trails that will take you past waterfalls and amazing gardens. Sunday is the best day to skate in this park because JFK Drive is closed to automobile traffic and you can ride on this road without worrying about getting run over by a car.

Rent Equipment in San Francisco

If you need to rent your skating equipment while visiting San Francisco you're in luck. There are several bike and skate shops in the area that rent equipment. Some of your choices include: Golden Gate Park Bike and Skate found at 3038 Fulton Street, Skates on Haight found at 1818 Haight Street and Stow Lake Bike & Boat Rentals found at 50 Stow Lake Drive.

Skateboard Shopping in San Francisco

If you are in the mood to do a little shopping, then San Francisco has a lot of great skateboard shops to choose from. Some of your options include:

• Comet Skateboards, 7 Freelon Street, San Francisco, CA 94107-1705
• Dlx Skateboards & Clothing Store, 1831 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94103-1112
• Ftc Skate Boarding, 1632 Haight Street, San Francisco, CA 94117-2816
• Purple Skunk, 5820 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94121-2005