Street skating festival heading for city this month

Ramps, rails and quarter pipes might sound like something out of a plumber’s handbook.

But actually they’re names for some of skating’s most popular pieces of street kit and they’ll be on show in Castle Square on Saturday May 21 for our city’s third Skate, Street and Sport Festival.
Skateboarders, scooter riders, rollerbladers and thrill-seekers will be the centre of attention for the event, which is being organised by Swansea Council.

The day-long event will celebrate the launch of the ParkLives initiative which is promising a summer of free activity and fun, as well as regular and on-going activity in city parks. The initiative is being run locally by Swansea Council in collaboration with Coca Cola Great Britain.

Liz Lowe, ParkLives lead at Coca-Cola Great Britain, said: “We’re really looking forward to the launch of ParkLives at the Skate, Street and Sport Festival in Swansea. ParkLives is all about providing the people of Swansea with opportunities to socialise with family and friends, get together with new, like-minded people and enjoy all the benefits of being outdoors a bit more often.”

Those who’ve never been on a skateboard or strapped on skates will have the chance to try out other sports or watch experts show off their talents on the day.

Frances Jenkins, Swansea Council’s Strategic Manager for Culture, Tourism, Marketing and Events, said: “This event is one of many being arranged for the city centre to help boost its vibrancy and attractiveness and generate more footfall for local businesses. It’s also one of the larger events that kicks-off the Enjoy Swansea Bay summer programme of events.

“The Skate, Street and Sport Festival is great for participants and spectators, but it also importantly supports the council’s ambition to get more people involved in physical activity.

“The live music and street dancing that’s also being organised means there’ll be some terrific entertainment available for the thousands of people who’ll be visiting the city centre on the day.”

Visitors to Castle Square will also be able to try Parkour – a training discipline using movement that developed from military obstacle course training where people aim to get from A to B in the most efficient way possible.

Live entertainment will come from Lockdown, Exist Skatepark (CUSP), KBAM Ltd. Parkour, Solar Dance, Thars, IDA Dance Company, Dance Wales UK, and Dani Dee’s School of Dance.

Music from DJ Daz and sport from Active Swansea, Gower Riders, Bikeability, Street Sports Swansea, Wheelrights, Welsh Cycling, Swansea City Roller Derby and the Reaper Roller Derby will also be on hand.

Have a look at www.enjoyswanseabay.com for more information.