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A group of local skateboarders have returned from one of the world’s skateboarding capitals feeling inspired by the "huge societal and health benefits" of "a city that has allowed and facilitated a culture to thrive" – with hopes to "bring it all to Jersey”.
The trip to Malmö in Sweden was organised by the charity Skate Space, with ten places funded by the Rivington Fund alongside some self-funded spots for additional participants.
Pictured: The group were able to travel thanks to Skate Space and the Rivington Fund. (Natalie Mayer)
Despite not asking for any particular outcome from the group, organiser Natalie Mayer said participants “want to make a film, a zine, a book and exhibit images" as they have been "inspired and can't wait to create a lasting memento of their experience".
Natalie explained the group – aged between 15 and 31 – had visited skate parks and skate spots, met locals, and visited a school dedicated to skateboarding and associated arts during their visit.
Pictured: Participants explored not just skateboarding, but also arts and filmmaking that form part of the skating scene. (Natalie Mayer)
She added: “On one eve, the local independent skate shop, a vital part of any skate community, invited us to a 'Drink and Draw' BBQ – an evening where locals gather with their sketchbooks, share a pint (or a soft drink!) and sketch, chat, and skate together.”
“Everyone had their own favourite thing,” Natalie continued. "Some loved skating the parks, meeting the locals with their own variety of tricks and skate styles and will bring this inspiration back home.
“Some loved the iconic DIY street spots – areas of the city that have been allowed to have interesting and unusual skate spots built.
“The youngest on the trip were totally blown away by the skateboard school.”
Pictured: Participants were inspired to document their trip using different artistic mediums. (Natalie Mayer)
The Bryggeriets Gymasium school, unique to Malmö, teaches skateboarding as well as associated arts.
Natalie explained the curriculum included not just physical skills, but also “the entire philosophical, psychological and artistic process connected to the culture”.
She explained: “They teach film and photography too, harnessing the passion kids feel for documenting their culture, and using that passion to nurture skills that will help them thrive through other lives and careers.
“Being a photographer who learned my trade young, through shooting snowboarding, I place huge value in this way of learning.”
Pictured: Bryggeriets Gymnasium offers the equivalent of an A-level in skateboarding. (Natalie Mayer)
Having seen the benefits of the city's thriving skateboarding culture, Natalie said the group “would love to bring it all to Jersey”.
“It’s a city that has allowed and facilitated a culture to thrive – and there are huge societal and health benefits to this.”
The Skate Space charity is working on transforming the Methodist church in St. Ouen into a skateboard, art and filmmaking space.
The Rivington Fund, established following a bequest in 2002 in the will of a St. Brelade resident, supports overseas trips for islanders to cultivate their interest in the arts.
Initially government-managed, it saw a huge increase in applications after being re-launched under the administration of ArtHouse Jersey. In 2022, the fund awarded a total of £66,000 to 59 people.
Pictured top: Islanders experienced the various skateboard spaces Malmö has to offer. (Natalie Mayer)
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