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Shop name: Paul’s Boutique BMX Hardware Store
Location: Dorpsstraat 66a, Aarle-Rixtel, the Netherlands
Years in business: 25
Best year yet: 2012
Worst year yet: 2017

2020 has been, well, different. When did Covid-19 turn up and start influencing your business?
Paul de Jong: I closed the shop on March 14 when the first Covid-19 Lockdown was announced in the Netherlands and haven’t been open on regular times since then.

Did you take any action from the start or were you thinking this would be over in a few weeks?
Paul de Jong: I already knew it was for the long haul so in the beginning I didn’t order any new parts in Taiwan but for the rest it was business like usual.

Now, being in this situation for many months, how did you manage to keep your business rolling?

Name Park: Soprano spot
Operator: Myself Andy Buckworth
Location: California, USA

What are the Covid-19 restrictions where you live at the moment?
Andy Buckworth: Right now we are allowed to leave the house to exercise, visit the dr, or visit the grocery store. Restaurants are open, for take away only.

How does it feel having a ramp available whenever you feel like riding?
Andy Buckworth: Honestly it’s a blessing. I hate being off my bike and even though there aren’t any events coming up, I still ride my bike every day.

Has the yard seen much change since you bought the house?
Andy Buckworth: Not yet. However I plan to make some pretty substantial changes. Hopefully in the near future.     

What kind of wood did you use for the ramp?

Name of Park: EllieLand
Location: Mum and Dads Tennis Court haha.

Crazy time we live in, but it could be worse having no ramps to ride. What kind of set-up do you have at home?
Ellie Chew: Yeah Crazy times for sure, I feel so lucky to have my ramps at home more than ever during this time! I have a fun little set up, it includes a 6ft quarter with a bowl hip extension, then a 4ft resi box jump and a 3ft spine/spox

For how long have you had the ramps?
Ellie Chew: I’ve had the ramps for about 3 years now

Who built them?

Name: Pat Casey
Park: Pat's backyard
Location: Riverside, California, USA.

What made you decide to build your own park in the backyard?
Pat Casey: When I turned 18, I decided I wanted to move out. I looked for a place with land, knowing one day I would want a park or jumps in my yard. Growing up, my dad built me a backyard ramp and I knew I couldn't live without one,

In these days of home quarantine, how does it feel to have a place to ride right out of the door?

Park name: Wolfmac
Operator: Kyle Wachter.
Location: In Kyle's back yard outside of Sylvan Lake, Alberta. Canada.

From the looks of it being stuck at home could be worse for you. What ramps do you have available for a safe session during Covid-19?
Mark Stanway: Right now we are dealing with all our outdoor and indoor skate parks shut down Nation wide. There's a couple people with features in their yards and one guy with a half pipe but most of us have taken to the streets during this pandemic.

What other parks are near you that are closed-off for the moment during the pandemic?
Mark Stanway: We have our local indoor park House of wheels in Edmonton that has been shut down and Bline in Calgary that is closed as well.

What's the current situation where you live. Do people need to stay at home?
Mark Stanway: We are in a lock down but not full. Yet we have been encouraged to stay indoors and practice safe distancing. We are encouraged to exercise every day and stay active. We are opening in the next couple weeks here and slowly hoping to come out of this pandemic.

Name Park: The backyard ramp
Operator: Mike Varga
Location: Ontario, Canada

What are the Covid-19 restrictions where you live at the moment?
Mike Varga: The Covid-19 has definitely got crazy with restrictions. Haven’t tried going to any parks but I know a few buddy's who got tickets for being at outdoor parks. Basically I can only travel around Ontario and even with that they have checkpoints to make sure your travel is necessary. All indoor and outdoor parks are closed. Basically just at home.

How does it feel having a ramp available whenever you feel like riding?
Mike Varga: Man it's absolutely amazing to have my own ramp! Keeping riding is key for keeping me in

Name, operator and owner: Ricardo Laguna
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

You've had your backyard ramps for a long time now. Can you remember how it all got started?
Ricardo Laguna: Yes my dirt back yard started in 1999 and the resi yard started in 2008. It all started when I keep building dirt jumps in random deserts and as Las Vegas keeps growing so this would mean the jumps would get leveled because new homes keep getting build in those areas. So my parent bought a home with an acre of land where I build dirt jumps, foam pit, wall rides and mini ramp. Fast forward to 2008 I bought my own home where I have a 9 ft quarter pipe and resi quarter pipe, 6ft tall 8 ft wide resi

Name: Rampyard Skatepark
Park operator: Luís Boal (Me)
Location: Alqueidão da Serra, Leiria, Portugal

When did you first start on the indoor park that you currently have?
Luís Boal: Ever since I was a kid, I always dreamed of having my own park or a skatepark that would be

Name Park: DDASC (Daniel Dhers Action Sports Complex)
Location: Holly Springs, NC - USA

How does it feel that in these times you have a spot to ride?
Daniel Dhers: I feel pretty lucky! The world is shut down and being able to still ride is huge in these times.

It looks like you're opening the place to several riders. Who can be found at DDASC on a regular basis?

Name Park: ZOOPARK
Operator: Me, Alessandro Barbero
Location: Priero (CN), Italy

You've had your park for some time now. When did you first start it?
Alessandro Barbero: Yes Bart it's been a while now! I was very lucky to have a lot of good sponsors that helped out. But in the last 5/6 years I had to find budget. We started out in 2007 but we only finished in 2010. Now it has been 10 years this year I would love to organize an event to celebrate the DECADE
I hope this COVID-19 situation will end soon. By the way a lot of work all around I spent days and days