Ethiopia’s First Skatepark is Open!
After only a little over two weeks of hard work from volunteer skatepark builders from around the world and help from local Addis Ababa skaters, the dream of Addis Skatepark, Ethiopia’s first skatepark, finally became a reality on 16 April, 2016 and opened its gates for the first session to several eager local skaters and volunteers that built the park alike.
Thanks to Make Life Skate Life & Ethiopia skate for putting together such an amazing initiative; Addis Skatepark is sure to be the foundation of the local skateboarding community and a place for skaters to grow for generations to come. It was an amazing experience being a part of this journey, thanks to the volunteer builders and all the organizers for their hard work to help make this come together!
Check out some photos & video from opening day of Addis Skatepark.
One of many Miller Flips that volunteer builder, Jake, pulled out throughout the course of the day. The crowd loves this one.
Nice and curvy, just the way we like ’em. Addis Skatepark has lines for days!
Max with a FS Grind on the cradle for Team France.
South Africa’s own Stuart Walker with a frontside float from the hip to the bank with photobomb assistance from Baumie.
Adam frontside airs on the quarter that he built a few days prior.
Aussie Ben is a ripper. BS tail for the crew.
Nollie flip over the hip from Irish Luke while an Addis local slaps some fresh granite.
Shake sweeps the decks for the kids.
Ethiopia Skate! The locals are still in shock that they have a park to call their own.
The kids gather around for the opening cermony.
Chris helps the locals how to drop in.
Free pies for all thanks to Ethiopia Skate!
It’s hard to believe this was just a plot of grass less than three weeks ago. Thanks to Make Life Skate Life, Ethiopia Skate, the Addis locals, and all the volunteer builders for their hard work to make this possible! The locals are already ripping the park and we can’t wait to see what they will be doing in the future.
All content: Mike Chinner
