Skateistan launch Skate School in Johannesburg

Skateistan, a non-profit organisation that uses skateboarding and education for youth empowerment, officially opened its skate school in Johannesburg.

The skate school is now officially open and programmes are up and running. Students between the ages of five to 17 years, with a particular focus on girls and low-income youth, have the opportunity to play and learn as part of the ‘skate and create’ programme, or access homework help and career advice as part of the ‘back-to-school’ programme. The youth also have the chance to join the ‘youth leadership’ programme to help organise events and assist with sessions.

With thanks to support from the Royal Danish Embassy, Comic Relief and Tony Hawk Foundation, over 200 students (47% girls) have already registered for Skateistan’s programmes, with the aim of 300 registered students by the end of 2016 and more than 400 in 2017.

In attendance at the launch event were 400 guests and supporters including Tony Hawk and partners, The Skateroom. Paul McCarthy, who donated over $200,000 to the build through his limited edition skateboards with The Skateroom, was not able to attend but over 100 of Skateistan’s students were there to celebrate and thank him.

As soon as the ribbon was cut, Skateistan students pushed into the park to officially open the event. Skateistan youth leaders and educators provided guided tours of the classrooms that will host Skateistan’s programmes; ‘skate and create’ and ‘back-to-school’.

Thereafter, the pro-skaters and the Skateistan students had a skate session where skaters of all ages got involved to help each other in the park. Then students became spectators, as Tony Hawk and Birdhouse Skateboards team riders, Shawn Hale and David Loy plus South African skaters, Thalente Biyela and Khule Ngubane, put on a demo for all. The event ended with a girls-only skate session involving Skateistan students, staff, and supporters.