Skate South are ready to hold their first event, a skate, BMX, Scooter and Rollerblade Jam/Competition at the Invercargill Skate Park this Saturday (15 January).
The event will run from 8.30am until 4.00pm featuring Open and Under 16 Skate sections for both Boys and Girls and will conclude with a Best Trick feature. Entry to the event is free and more information can be found on the Skate South facebook page and Instagram as the event approaches.
Skate South was created last year to raise awareness for the need for an indoor skatepark in Southland. Their main motivation is to create a space where our youth can spend time with friends and family, exercising and having fun, regardless of the weather. Organiser James Todd says, “in Southland there is a major lack of activities for youth over the cooler months, so a venue where kids and adults can socialise, challenge themselves, and stay active, would be invaluable. Saturday’s event is an awesome way for people of all ages to show off their skills and I can’t wait to see everybody have fun on the day. It is also a massive opportunity to get people into the sport that haven’t been exposed to it before, as we are encouraging family and friends and anyone else who wishes to come along and watch the event. We will have a spare parts bin, which skaters and BMX riders have been asked to donate to, so people that are wanting to get into any of the sports can utilise some free parts.”
“The event will also create a better sense of community between everyone that uses the skatepark, knowing that there is a group dedicated to serving the needs of skatepark users. Having more people become introduced to the sport is great for the community, as it especially gives youth something to do when they’re bored. Skateboarding/ BMX/Scootering/Roller Skating all require commitment, dedication, patience and trust in yourself, which are great traits to learn at an impressionable age,” says Todd. “All these sports are also great for mental health and get kids off gadgets and back into the outdoors .We are hoping to introduce ourselves properly at the event to gain leverage towards getting a new indoor skatepark. Getting our youth off social media, phones and back into the community, socialising and doing exercise is so important.”
TIMETABLE:
- Open rollerblade: 8.30am – 9am
(3×5 minute heats) - Open scooter: 9am – 9.30am
(3×5 minute heats) - Open BMX: 9.30am – 11am
(5×5 minute heats, then 1×10 minute final heat) - Skate warm up/opportunity for everyone to ride: 11am – 11.30am
- U16 Boy’s skate: 11.30am – 12pm
(3×5 minute heats, then 1×5 minute heat) - U16 Girl’s skate: 12pm – 12.30pm
(3×5 minute heats, then 1×5 minute heat) - Lunch break: 12.30pm – 1.30pm
- Open Men’s skate: 1.30pm – 2.30pm (Depending on numbers 10-12×5 minute heats)
- Open Men’s Final: 2.30pm – 3.30pm
- Best trick: 3.30pm – 4pm
- Prizegiving: 4pm
There will an abundance of food and beverage vendors on site, a bbq, great prizes and music.