The California Training Facility (CATF) was designed and built by California Skateparks and serves as a critical hub for research, development, and innovation in skatepark construction methodology—specifically for temporary, modular skatepark builds used in global event settings. The facility plays a dual role: it supports professional-level athletes for ongoing training, and it acts as a full-scale experimental site for California Skateparks’ construction and design teams to refine, validate, and evolve proprietary construction techniques used worldwide.

 

CATF in Construction R&D

CATF is purpose-built to mimic permanent event courses while being inherently modular and temporary. It enables California Skateparks to do the following:

 

• Test new construction methodologies for modular skatepark features, including proprietary systems for edge treatments, structural supports, slope configurations, and aesthetic finishes.

• Experiment with elements, angles, and geometries to evaluate functionality, flow, durability, and athlete feedback before deploying these components on global event stages.

• Research and iterate construction techniques that support both park and street disciplines, as well as unique one-off elements for special events or Olympic qualification standards.

 

Construction Methodology

CATF reflects a carefully engineered system designed for rapid setup, takedown, and reusability, which includes:

 

• Scaffolding Base – A modular, reusable support system that can be reconfigured for changing layouts.

• Foam & Template Guides – Used for shaping geometry beneath the riding surface.

• Steel & Wood Frameworks – Provide structural strength and flexibility for configuring steps, banks, rails, and transitions.

• Concrete & Metal Edge Treatments – Installed using a proprietary process that enables top treatments to be swapped out or modified (e.g., escalators, extensions, custom rails).

• Thin Concrete Overlays – Provide a professional-grade skating surface with the look and feel of a permanent course, while maintaining temporary adaptability.

 

Modular Innovation & Global Applications

Over the past decade, this system has been refined through real-world use on over 50 events and builds. Elements developed and tested at CATF have appeared in:

 

• Olympic qualifying events

• Street League Skateboarding (SLS) competitions

• Dew Tour and X Games courses

• Brand activations and specialty skate events across the globe

Following each event, these modular components are efficiently deconstructed, stored, and reassembled in new configurations based on the unique requirements of future events—ensuring both cost-effectiveness and design adaptability.

 

Ongoing Development

CATF is in a constant state of evolution. Its current layout is only one of many iterations used in service of advancing global skatepark design. The facility’s temporary appearance is intentional—designed to replicate the illusion of permanence, which is critical for athlete confidence, event presentation, and public perception during high-profile competitions.

 

CATF remains the backbone of California Skateparks’ commitment to innovation, functionality, and global leadership in modular event skatepark construction. It is a dynamic platform that bridges cutting-edge research with real-world application, ensuring the success and progression of competition-level skateboarding infrastructure on a global scale.