California skateboarder Danny Way jumped over a 18.6-metre gap in the Great Wall of China, becoming the first person to clear the ancient fortification without motorised aid, his sponsor said.

Way then went on to jump the wall three more times on Saturday, taking off from a specially built ramp at the nearly 3,000-year-old Ju Yong Guan Gate and adding in 360-degree spins as spectators looked on.

"I was aware of the dangers and my heart was pumping in my chest the whole time, but I managed to pull it off with the help of my team and I'm honoured to have my visions embraced by the people of China," Way said in a statement.

Others have tried to jump the Great Wall before. In 2002, Wang Jiaxiong, a mountain biker, fractured his skull and died after overshooting his planned landing area. Way was the first person to try the jump on a skateboard.

Way already holds the world records for distance jumped by skateboard and for height at 24 metres and 7.1 metres, respectively.