Skateboarders give lessons in aid of new half pipe

A SKATEBOARDING group in Watlington is raising money to improve its facilities.

Watlington Wheels wants to replace the old half pipe at the town’s skate park at a cost of about £8,500.

This is part of a large project to transform the concrete bowl at the Love Lane recreation ground by installing a “flow” set-up, which involves different surfaces of varying difficulties.

The work is expected to cost about £450,000 and the parish council, which owns the land, has pledged £120,000.

To raise money, the group set up makeshift ramps at the recent Beacon Festival and provided skateboarding lessons to visitors. They made £500.

Ian Roxburgh, 61, a graphic designer who has helped develop the plan, said: “We had brought pallets and screwed plywood on top, then gave lessons to kids and adults.

“We had a great turnout and a lot of young skaters taking to the boards and getting lessons and help from the Roots Longboards boys, Dixie, Fly, Steve and Oxford Wheels Project instructors Keith W Stone and Rhys.” The old half pipe was removed because it had deteriorated and become unsafe.

Rivets frequently came loose and the metal surface was slippery and dangerously hot in the summer. The new half pipe, which will be 4ft tall and 16ft wide, is designed to be more accessible than the old 6ft high one, which was difficult for learners and younger children to use.

To make a donation, visit https://tinyurl.com/Watlingtonflow