Dubai: If you’re on a staycation and are looking for ways to beat the summer heat, the Zoo Skatepark could just be the place for you.
Said to be the UAE’s first indoor skatepark, the 5,000 square foot air-conditioned facility in Al Quoz is the newest chilling pad in town.
“We officially open in two weeks’ time but we’ve already had a very encouraging response since our soft launch in May,” said manager Jeremy Klynsmith.
So what’s with the name Zoo Skatepark?
“It’s just a fun name. I guess it embodies the spirit of the place as you can have a wild time here.”
Klynsmith said: “The skatepark’s licensing partner IGNITE Extreme from Australia believes in educating people about physical activity and bringing different concepts to the community. We identified that there was a void for people to do extreme sports in a safe air-conditioned environment. This is the first concept for Ignite Extreme and we have partnered with the best brands in the region such as DC, Rage and Surf Shop Arabia for the purpose.”
Ramps for all
Open to both beginners and professional skaters (older than four), the park has ramps for everyone ranging from small to intermediate to advanced. It can accommodate 25-30 people at a time.
Beginners can opt for individual or group lessons and advanced skaters can use the ramps on their own. Skating without lessons costs Dh30 an hour or Dh75 a day while hourly group classes cost Dh135 per person and one-on-one classes Dh195. The fee covers hiring of equipment and protective gear.
As word about the park gets around, over 300 kids have already tried it out. “A lot of kids have signed up for our summer classes and we will be having competitions and tournaments as well.”
He said plans are under way to develop the park into a creative space and include offerings like a birthday party area on the mezzanine floor, an equipment shop, a pop up restaurant, live DJs and music. Two refrigerated vending machines dispense water and soft drinks.
There’s a reason why the skatepark is being developed as a ‘hang-out’ avenue. “Ours is a lifestyle sport. It’s a sub-culture where people have a typical way of speaking and dressing,” said Klynsmith.
Californian student Ryan Chamali, 17, who was visiting the park for the fourth time, agrees. “We have our own vocabulary of tricks. It’s rad,” he said, explaining how rad, short for radical, meant “cool”. Rolling around the steep ramps with ease, Chamali demonstrated several tricks from the simpler ‘ollie’ and ‘180 ollie’ to the ‘willy grind’ as the trucks of his board slid on to the ledges.
With 18 years of skating experience, Klynsmith also showcased his skills. “Once you are into this action sport, you keep pushing yourself to achieve more advanced levels and variations.”
But notices put up at various corners warn beginners against getting too adventurous. “Don’t go too hard or you could go home,” reads one of the safety tips. Little wonder then that kids below six are under constant supervision.
The park is open all week from 1 to 7pm on weekdays and noon to 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
