Skaters at one point or another have felt the intimidation a rail gives off. There’s an aura that surrounds them, as if to say, “falling on me will be a painful existence.” It’s similar to standing on a balance board that happens to be racing forward at what seems like the speed of light.

Skatelab Skatepark in Simi Valley debuted a new A-frame with a kinked rail last Wednesday: a sweet surprise for the new school year.

“Kevin Hewitt of Hewitt Skateparks came in and rebuilt our gap jump and replaced it with a two-foot rail,” said Tony Eggleston, manager.

The entire process took roughly two days, stirring up anticipation among skaters.

Skatelab has been building upon its street course for many years now. The course includes stairs, rails, ramps, and runs that help demonstrate the riders’ ability to perform multiple tricks across a laid out path. The beauty of skateboarding advancement is the idea that one must built upon a single trick.

“All the other rails in the park are very big; this is one of the smaller ones,” said Skatelab member Gage Boyle.

Skatelab has been updated over the years for the benefit of all riders at varying levels. Interviewees agreed that the skate park’s new addition is a great space for beginner-intermediate riders to challenge themselves.

“It’s going to be a really good obstacle for kids to learn on,” said scooter rider, Ryan Doktor.

An obstacle, indeed it is, but a less intimidating one. For more advanced skaters, the A-frame and rail adds another course of action. There are ramps, both in-front of and in-back of the set up, a parallel taller rail, a wall ride, and flat ground area.

Skatelab offers sessions for scooter and skateboard riders simultaneously. Not only is the new two-foot rail an obstacle for skaters, it will have its fair share of scooters grinding and sliding down it.

“It’s the same as it is on a skateboard; small and fun,” Doktor said.

College aged teens stood ready to film each others latest tricks, patiently capturing every spill until it was landed.

“My favorite tricks are front blunt-slides and nose blunt-slides,” said Boyle.

With much hesitation, I took the plunge to see exactly what those I’d spoken to saw in this slab of metal. But the thrill reached 100% when I glided off, with all parts still intact, feeling invincible.

Skatelab’s new addition is a total hit! For many, balancing on a skateboard is intimidating, or possibly the death-defying ramps and rails make many cringe. It’s all about staring down the intimidating ramp or rail, throwing on a helmet and pads, and shredding it!