Weckingball Says Vert Skating is For The Rich, So Why Do They Mingle w/ Real Skaters?

It started with kids rolling around on busted sidewalks, hitting curbs, and turning whatever they could find into a session.

But when you look at vert skating, it’s a whole different world—massive ramps, safety gear, and a setup that only a few can afford.

That’s exactly what Weckingball was getting at when he called out vert skating as something for the rich.

And he’s got a point.

Building a vert ramp isn't cheap. It takes space, materials, and a crew to put it together.

Not everyone has a backyard big enough for one, and even if they did, the cost would be ridiculous.

Street skaters don’t have that luxury - they’re out there skating curbs, ledges, and rails because that’s what’s available.

They aren’t spending thousands on a private setup. They’re making do with what they have.

Then there’s the cost of safety gear. Helmets, knee pads, elbow pads. That stuff adds up fast.

Some skaters barely have enough for a fresh deck, let alone a full set of pads. When you’re scraping together cash just to keep skating, buying protection gear isn’t always an option.

But here’s where things get interesting. If vert is such a money-heavy part of skateboarding, why do some of those skaters still want to be part of the street scene?

Why do they show up to DIY spots, hang around with skaters who build with scraps, and try to blend in with those who never had the privilege of a private ramp? Maybe it’s because they respect the culture.

Or maybe, deep down, they know that real skateboarding isn’t about polished parks and controlled environments. It’s about making something out of nothing.

At the end of the day, street skaters don’t need a million-dollar setup. They take what’s in front of them and make it work. That’s why they’re the real ones.