A Brief History
Dale Campbell, a seasoned ice and inline skater, opened a skate park in Birmingham, Alabama in the late 90's. It was there that the foundation of the Ice Ramp project were laid in a series of ongoing conversations about bringing the ramps used in skateboarding and aggressive inline skating to the ice.
A photo taken at one of the many incarnations of Ramp & Speed, circa 2004.Pictured (left to right): Jeremy Logan, Craig Moody, Robert Brodrecht, Chris Davis, and Dale Campbell.
In early 2006, Dale decided to bring the idea to fruition by pursuing patent of several idea. Dale tapped Robert Brodrecht, a fellow inline skater and ramp builder at Dale's skate park, to discuss the prospects of the project. The initial buzz had started as the foundations of the project were laid and investors were sought after.
Once initial research was done, Craig Moody, a fellow inliner and ramp builder, was pulled in as the future refrigeration tech. By a stroke of luck, the team was joined by Charles Sinek of the 2002 Olympic Team, who fully identified with Dale's dream to take ice skating to the next level. Judy Campbell, founder of the Birmingham School of Ice Skating, rounded out the team as general manager.
What are Ice Ramps?
If you've ever watched the X-Games or been to a skate park, you've seen inline skaters and skateboarders ride on various obstacles, often propelling them at great speed into the air. Ice ramps will bring these obstacles to ice skating, creating ice half-pipes, ice mini-ramps, and more. The project, still in development, is seeking capital to build the prototypes of these ramps, though building plans have already been drawn.
What are Ice Ramps Skates?
The ice ramps skate (I.R.S.), patent pending, is a combination of an aggressive inline skate and an ice skate. Currently, the blade system is designed around the Universal Frame System (UFS) used by inline skate manufacturers. This allows the frame to be mated to any aggressive inline skate boot. The frame uses a blade that is split in two pieces as though two mini-ice hockey blades were placed inline. The center gap, also known as an H-Block, is used for grinding. The initial prototypes for the frame have been mocked up and are being prototyped in the next few weeks.
Our Team
Any good project needs an all-star team to drive forward. This is ours.
Dale Campbell
Warrant Officer Dale Campbell -- Previously assigned with the 173rd Airborne for the 2003 jump into Bashur, Iraq, and most recently as an instructor/ jumpmaster at the US Army Airborne school at FT Benning, GA -- plays the CEO and lead designer of Ice Ramps and the I.R.S. Dale has been skating for 31 years and has co-owned and built several skate parks. Dale is an IISA and ISIA certified instructor.
Charles Sinek
Charles Sinek, of the 2002 Olympic Team, shares Dale's vision of taking ice skating to the next level. As our executive officer, Charles is working with Dale to find the people he needs to bring this project to life.
Judy Campbell
Judy Campbell, founder of the Birmingham School of Ice Skating, acts as general manager.
Robert Brodrecht
Robert Brodrecht has been aggressive inline skating for a decade, and was actively involved in ramp building for half as long. A web designer and problem solver, Robert joins the team as web designer, product R&D, and skate team member.
Jeremy Logan
Jeremy Logan, ramp builder and former aggressive inline skater, brings his skills to the table as our ramp technician.
Craig Moody
Craig Moody, a seasoned inline skater and HVAC specialist, joins the team as the refrigeration tech and skate team member.