Skate competition checklist: what to arrange and when

A skate competition needs more than a skatepark and a start time. You need a clear format, written rules, confirmed officials, a workable schedule and enough people to keep registration, scoring and crowd control moving. This checklist takes you from the first planning decisions to event-day setup, including safety equipment, spare skateboard parts, power for sound and scoring, and weather checks. Use it to see what must be booked early and what can wait until the final week.

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The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

Set competition format
2 people
Write out the competition rules
2 people
Reserve the venue and skatepark
Check permits and notifications
Check insurance and liability
Approach jury members
2 people
Book the host and DJ
2 people
Recruit volunteers
2 people
Send invitations
2 people
Open registration form
Process registrations
2 people
Collect dietary requirements
Arrange Entry Fees and Prizes
2 people
Create the match schedule
2 people
Confirm participants
2 people
Prepare jury briefing
Assign volunteers
2 people
Order prizes and medals
Hang promotional posters
2 people
Check the weather forecast
Do the shopping
2 people
Collect materials
3 people
Sort bib numbers
2 people
Prepare score sheets
2 people
Charge equipment
2 people
Inspect venue
3 people
Clean the skate park
4 people
Set up barriers and tape
4 people
Set up tables and chairs
4 people
Set up registration desk
2 people
Set up judges' table
2 people
Set up sound equipment
3 people
Check the lighting and power
2 people
Chill drinks
2 people
Set out snacks
2 people

Event

Register participants
3 people
Hand out race numbers
2 people
Give participant briefing
2 people
Welcome the audience
2 people
Guide qualifying rounds
5 people
Record scores
3 people
Secure the skate zone
3 people
Serve drinks
2 people
Refill drinks
2 people
Refill snacks
2 people
Announce finalists
Support the final rounds
5 people
Check final scores
3 people
Handle prize ceremony
3 people
See the audience out
2 people

Aftercare

Turn off the sound equipment
2 people
Take down materials
4 people
Collect waste
4 people
Clean the skate park
4 people
Wash dishes
2 people
Sort borrowed materials
2 people
Return materials
2 people
Clean up leftovers
2 people
Publish results
Send thank-you messages
2 people

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Folding tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 30
Judges' table
Waste binsqty 8

Sports equipment

Skateboardsqty 4
Spare wheelsqty 12
Spare bearingsqty 12
Skate toolqty 4
Traffic conesqty 20
Crowd control barriersqty 12
Weights for fencesqty 12
Start number vestsqty 40
Helmetsqty 8
Knee padsqty 8
Elbow padsqty 8
Stopwatchesqty 3
Measuring tapeqty 2
Whistlesqty 4
First aid kitsqty 2
Cold Packsqty 12
Emergency blanketsqty 6
Portable stretcher

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Microphone standsqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Rechargeable work lightsqty 4
Power banksqty 4
Laptop
Tabletsqty 3
Printer

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 60

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Kettlesqty 2
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 12

Decorations

Competition postersqty 20
Sponsor bannersqty 8
Directional signsqty 12
Prize tablecloth
Stage blocksqty 3

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Set the competition format and rules before opening registration. State the disciplines, age groups, run length, judging criteria, tie-break procedure and equipment or helmet requirements so participants know exactly what they are entering.
Reserve the venue and skatepark early, then check permits, notifications and liability cover before sending invitations. Confirm access times as well: setup, sound testing and judging-table preparation often need several hours before the first run.
Recruit volunteers with specific shifts rather than asking for general help. Cover registration, participant check-in, queue and barrier control, scoring support, equipment checks and cleanup; assign a lead person to each area before the schedule is published.
Prepare the scoring and participant materials at least one day ahead. Sort start-number vests, print score sheets, charge tablets, laptops, speakers and microphones, and keep stopwatches, whistles and spare bearings together where officials can reach them quickly.
Plan for interruptions instead of relying on a perfect day. Check the weather forecast during the final week, prepare party tents and rechargeable work lights if needed, secure barriers with weights, and keep spare wheels, bearings and a skate tool available for equipment problems.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I organise a skate competition?: Start venue, permit and insurance checks at least 8 to 12 weeks before the competition. Approach judges, the host, DJ and key volunteers during the same period, then open registration once the format and rules are fixed.
What should I prepare the week before a skate competition?: Confirm every participant, finalise the match schedule, brief the jury and assign volunteer shifts 5 to 7 days beforehand. Order or collect prizes, medals, start-number vests, score sheets and safety equipment before the final 48 hours.
How many volunteers do I need for a skate competition?: For a small competition, plan on at least 6 to 10 volunteers in addition to the judges, host and DJ. Cover registration, check-in, scoring, equipment and safety, crowd control, refreshments if applicable, and cleanup with named people rather than shared responsibility.
What safety equipment is needed for a skate competition?: Have helmets, knee pads and elbow pads available, plus traffic cones, crowd-control barriers and weights for fences. Keep a skate tool, spare wheels and spare bearings on site, and complete the equipment and course check at least 60 minutes before the first run.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.