Comment: Skaters showcase skills at the Boat Show

Thursday 10 May 2018

With thousands of islanders heading to the Boat Show over the sunny bank holiday weekend, members of the Jersey Skateparks Association (JSA) used the occasion to showcase their skills and keep their hunt for a new facility on the agenda.

Express columnist, and JSA member, Daco Fernandes argues that the Boat Show display was a great example of what could be achieved.

"The recently formed Jersey Skateparks Association (JSA) has just held an event at the old skatepark on the New North Quay. The purpose of the event was to raise awareness of the need for a new skatepark to be built as the current, outdated and poorly situated facility is set to be permanently closed in September. It is now only open on weekends and holidays, whereas the park used to be open all year round.

The event was held on Sunday 6th of May during the Jersey Boat Show and its aim was '… to build an awareness of the skills of local park users,' said event organiser Dillon Catney- a founding member of the JSA. 'We wanted to make the public aware of how much creative talent we have around the island and the fact that a skatepark is a crucial place for people to meet and express themselves.'

The event was well attended by all walks of society and there was a lot for people to feast their eyes upon. With demos of skateboarding, BMX and scooter skills, the atmosphere in the skatepark was getting pretty heated; this might of had something to do with the temperature reaching 26˚C but this wasn’t an issue for any of the attendees as there was plenty of fruit and water on hand which had been kindly donated by Waitrose.

To add to the physical displays, there was live breakdancing, backed by a talented DJ and a makeshift graffiti wall on which lots of young people were encouraged to 'leave their mark.' There was a feeling of excitement resonating through the crowds which were a joy to witness. Earlier on in the day, brave families and other members of the public were encouraged to participate and try out some of the sports on offer, with JSA members assisting people to hop on boards and bikes and to use the park ramps. 

It was also interesting to see a number of existing states members turn up and some of the prospective candidates too. Whether this was just for photo opportunities or out of some sense of public duty will I’m sure, become more apparent in coming weeks. Either way, the organisers were delighted with the turnout. With the Jersey Youth Service on hand and a health and safety representative from Jersey Sport also attending throughout the day, it’s clear to see that the JSA are heading in the right direction.

The thing is this, though; for nearly everyone attending the park on Sunday- for those participating, days like this are a regular occurrence. To take this park away and not replace it, is an affront to its many users. With Skateboarding and BMX now an official Olympic sport, the park users cannot be marginalised any longer. Society needs to accept who they are and what they do. They need to be brought out of the shadows and into the public arena so they can showcase their incredible skills. They need a facility to suit their requirements and this needs to happen much sooner than anyone may have anticipated. 

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