An ambitious scheme has been unveiled for a state-of-the-art skatepark in Freshwater — including the Island's first pump track.
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With the current skatepark nearing the end of its life, and repairs and upkeep costing more and more, the aim is for a long-lasting asset to the community, with something for all riders and ages to enjoy.
Freshwater Parish Council has committed £120,000 over two years towards the project at The Stroud.
The Council hopes the pump track will prove a great draw for West Wight tourism, as well as attracting Island-wide interest. The circuit of rollers, banked turns and features is designed to be ridden completely by riders "pumping “ — generating momentum by up-and-down body movements, instead of pedalling or pushing.
Originally designed for the mountain bike and BMX scene, they can now accommodate all riders including wheelchair users, and a wide variety of skill levels — and are relatively cheap to construct.
Concrete skateparks came to Britain from the US in the 1970s and one of the first was a community effort at Golden Hill Fort, Freshwater. Southsea skatepark which has a series of concrete bowls was built in 1978 by the local authority and is still in place today.
Today’s concrete designs are built to last for generations of tough, punishing use within landscaped settings which integrate social, architectural, and environmental demands too. But demand for new technically challenging skateparks is on the rise, with many local authorities building them.
Skateboarding will make its debut as an Olympic sport in Tokyo this month, with 13-year-old Sky Brown set to become Britain's youngest ever summer Olympian after beating adults to qualify.
The pandemic has seen many more people take up skateboarding or start skating again, with a rise of over 70,000 UK participants. The largest growth has been with women and girls getting on a board for the first time.
Health benefits of skateboarding include the use most parts of the body; burning up to 600 calories an hour; and cardio exercise. It is also great for balance, toning muscle and building muscle strength, and helps in coordination.
SkateboardGB research also shows mental health and well-being benefits, especially in the context of the pandemic's impact on anxiety, with over two-thirds of people feeling worried about the effect of Covid-19.
The Parish Council is seeking grants, fundraising, sponsorship and advertising, aiming to match the parish funding; along with anyone who can help with the use of machinery and materials for the project.
A public consultation drew an overwhelming positive response, with more than 70 emails of support and hundreds of social media messages and comments. Feedback from local skaters produced a wish-list of what local riders want.
The plan is to build the pump track in the first year which will generate more interest and more funding for the skatepark in the following year.
Planning permission will soon be sought, after which the project will go out to tender.
Hamish Fleming, of Canopy Skatepark in Chale, who has skated for 25-plus years and has worked with kids who are harder to reach, said:
"Skateboarding was one of the best activities with kids not keen on team sports. The kids saw it as cool, and they could express themselves. Hamish spent many hours at Freshwater’s skatepark and found it a great hub and always busy with local skaters. He said the new skatepark would make a massive difference to so many people’s lives, improving mental health and fitness on the Island, which is far behind skatepark facilities on the mainland. Hamish is planning a skate jam to help raise money and awareness for the new skatepark."
John Cattle, a veteran professional skateboarder who has run a skate club in Wootton for ten years, as well as the Island's only skate shop, Wight Trash World in Ryde, said:
“There’s a real need for improvement to all the Island skateparks, and the news that Freshwater Parish Council is supporting the first pump skate track is really exciting. “To provide better local facilities for people to exercise, have fun and meet new friends is more important now than ever. We can’t wait to roll around the new park.”
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Those interested can keep up to date at https://www.instagram.com/freshwater.skatepark/
Donate to the new park via https://www.gofundme.com/f/freshwater-skatepark-pumptrack
Or buy a Freshwater Skatepark t-shirt in collaboration with the Teemill online clothing store. https://freshwaterskatepark.teemill.com/
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