Skate competition checklist

Planning a skate competition involves more than booking the skate park and inviting riders. You need time for permits, insurance, registration, parental consent, judging, safety equipment and crowd control. This checklist also covers the details that are often left until the last minute, such as score sheets, race numbers, chilled food, power checks and weather decisions. Work through the plan in order so participants, judges and volunteers know what to expect on competition day.

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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

Reserve the skate park
Apply for event permit
Set the competition format
2 people
Assign judges
Recruit volunteers
2 people
Write out the competition rules
2 people
Create registration form
Send invitations
2 people
Distribute promotional poster
2 people
Process registrations
Collect parental consent
Collect dietary requirements
Update participant list
Order prizes and medals
Check insurance
Check power supply
Check the weather forecast
Final confirmation of participants
Do the shopping
2 people
Collect materials
2 people
Prepare race numbers
Print score sheets
Wrap the prizes
Store food chilled
2 people
Check the venue and route
2 people
Check the venue for safety
3 people
Set up tents and tables
4 people
Set up barriers
3 people
Hang up information signs
2 people
Mark the competition lanes
2 people
Set up registration desk
2 people
Set up judges' table
2 people
Test sound equipment
2 people
Chill drinks
2 people
Prepare snacks and sandwiches
3 people
Set out first aid supplies
Brief the judges
2 people
Brief volunteers
2 people

Event

Register participants
3 people
Hand out race numbers
2 people
Give the opening briefing
Guide the preliminary round
4 people
Process scores
2 people
Refill drinks
2 people
Serve snacks and sandwiches
3 people
Empty trash bins
2 people
Announce finalists
Lead the final
4 people
Inform the audience
Check final scores
2 people
Support awards ceremony
3 people
Take a crowd photo
Serve the final drinks round
2 people
See participants off
2 people

Aftercare

Dismantle competition equipment
4 people
Take down tables and chairs
4 people
Remove barricades
3 people
Collect waste
3 people
Clean the venue
4 people
Wash dishes
2 people
Return materials
2 people
Return rented materials
2 people
Publish results
Thank participants

What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 40
Judges' table
Tableclothsqty 8

Sports equipment

Crowd control barriersqty 12
Marker conesqty 20
Floor marking tapeqty 4
Skateboards for demonstrationqty 3
Helmets for participantsqty 10
Knee padsqty 10
Elbow padsqty 10
Water weightsqty 8
Transport cart
Bib numbersqty 60
Wristbandsqty 100
Medalsqty 12
Cupsqty 3

Equipment

Portable speaker
Wireless microphone
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3
Stopwatchqty 3
Megaphone
Coolersqty 4
Clipboardsqty 6
Pensqty 30
Calculatorsqty 3
Power banksqty 3

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 120
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 60
Serving jugsqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 3
Bread knivesqty 3
Serving tongsqty 6
Coolersqty 2

Decorations

Competition bannersqty 3
Directional signsqty 8
Table décorqty 8

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Broom setsqty 3
Mop setsqty 2
Cleaning bucketsqty 3
Rubber glovesqty 6
First aid kit
Ice packsqty 12

Lighting

LED work lightsqty 4
String lightsqty 3

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Reserve the skate park and apply for the event permit early enough to allow for processing time. Confirm whether your insurance covers organised competition activity, spectators and volunteers before you publish invitations.
Set the competition format and rules before opening registration. Give judges a printed copy, define how scores are recorded, and prepare enough score sheets for every heat plus a few spares.
Collect parental consent during registration for under-18 riders, rather than chasing missing forms on the day. Keep the participant list updated and send a final confirmation with arrival time, equipment requirements and the event schedule.
Plan the site layout before bringing in tables and barriers. Mark competition and spectator areas with cones or floor tape, position the judges' table where the full course is visible, and use water weights to secure tents or signs.
Check power, weather and food storage the day before. Test the speaker, microphone, stopwatch and extension leads, keep food in coolers, and have a clear decision deadline for changing the setup if rain is forecast.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I organise a skate competition?: Start planning at least 8 to 12 weeks ahead. Use that time to reserve the skate park, apply for permits, check insurance, set the format, recruit volunteers and open registration.
What safety equipment do I need for a skate competition?: Plan helmets, knee pads and elbow pads for participants, plus barriers and marker cones to separate the course from spectators. Check the equipment before the event and have spare protective gear available if riders need it.
How many judges and volunteers are needed for a skate competition?: For a small competition, plan at least 2 judges and 4 volunteers: one for registration, one for riders and equipment, one for crowd control and one for announcements or timing. Add staff when you have several heats running at once.
When should I print score sheets and prepare prizes?: Print score sheets and prepare race numbers 1 to 2 days before the competition, after registrations have been checked. Wrap prizes and medals in advance, then make a final participant and award check on the event morning.

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.