From Boardroom (back) to the Streets: A Journey of Rediscovery
As a kid and teenager, skateboarding was my world. The thrill of mastering new tricks, the creativity in designing stuff, and the camaraderie of the skate community fueled my passion. But as I grew older, societal pressures, nightlife, the “ladies” đź«Ł and financial obligations “pulled me” away from my purpose. I traded my board for […]
Wing Chun and the Fight Against Gender-Based Violence: How Preparedness Saves Lives
Written by Natasha W. Githitho Beating up a bad man has been a secret desire of mine since October 2022, when a near-death experience in the hands of one left me shaken and determined to never feel that powerless again. It was in the wee hours of the morning that I was making my way to […]
UN Habitat: “The Impact of Skateboarding for the youth in Kenya”
“Dear Dan, As one of the stakeholders shaping Nairobi’s public space ecosystem, we are pleased to invite you to the validation workshop for the just concluded Citywide Inventory of Open Public Spaces. The workshop will be held at the UN complex, Gigiri. Attached please find the official invitation letter.” Beside our presentation, we published a […]
Why cities & communities should support skateboarding and public skateparks
More than anyone, and everywhere young people need to feel like they are recognized and appreciated (by their communities): In too many places skateboarders get the wrong message and public image from local authorities who limit or outlaw skateboarding and ignore its inherent (health- and selfempowerment) benefits for the skateboarders and communities around skateparks. Every […]
Some Ideas and lessons learned on how to start your (skateboarding) community project
Most of us have an opinion on what is wrong with the world or (y)our local communities, yet only some of us will finally do the work to improve (y)our own lives, leave their comfort zones or even invest time on their passions, beside for example the act of skateboarding itself. So if you are […]
Fly540: Skateboarding in Eastafrica
Research & study: Skateboarding teaches life skills & improves communities
“Skaters are excellent critical thinkers and problem-solvers who view success from a more communal perspective. They bring that insight into other areas of their lives which is valuable to any university or organization” are findings from a first-of-its-kind study about skateboarding culture, supported by the Tony Hawk Foundation and the legend himself, finally reveals and […]
Some benefits of skateboarding
Skateboarding is a sport, an art form, a lifestyle, and a culture which also creates friendships between people from different (social and cultural) backgrounds. With more than 100 million (estimated) active skaters, skateboarding is gradually becoming one of the most popular hobbies shared by people around the globe. Contrary to what most people and parents […]
Business Daily Africa: How skating is transforming children’s lives
Skating, which is practised worldwide, is said to be a good tool for youth empowerment but it is not until recently that the sport became widespread in Kenya. Initially only a few people engaged in the sport but now some non-governmental organisations have introduced the sport to children in the slums as a way of […]
Huffington Post: Lessons of life learned on a skateboard
ohn Kiara, 15, wipes sweat off his forehead as he stares down at a stair set of his height. He runs a few steps, hops on a skateboard and jumps down the drop. The impact of landing shakes his balance slightly off and he falls forward on the concrete. Kiara brushes his hands off the […]