Those who prefer kicking a deck to surfing a board now have a place of their own in the coastal enclave of Hua Hin.
Kickflip, grind and fakie through concrete bowls and banks minutes from the gulf at the Hua Hin Skatepark, which at its Tuesday opening launched a touring performance series to raise money for troubled youth.
Capitalism-loathing skaters with anarchy in their hearts will be pleased to know there’s no admission fee here – the park’s open to the public for free, 8am to 9:30pm, seven days a week.
A skate shop renting out pads, boards and other gear will be operating early next month, along with a coffee corner for parents to hang out.
It’s managed by one of the majordomos of Bangkok’s underground music scene, Mongkorn “DJ Dragon” Timkul. He said Wednesday the park’s calibrated toward beginners and intermediate riders, with more features including wooden ramps coming online later this year
And it’s got some admirable aims. The park is part of the adjacent Pataravadi High School, a performing arts school founded by Mongkorn’s mom, stage luminary Patravadi Mejudhon.
Artists and “former troubled youths” will participate in a series of live performances featuring music, skateboarding and performing arts starting Feb. 7 at the skate park and running several days there before hitting the road for shows around the kingdom.
Called The Broken Violin Project, all shows will be free with encouraged donations going to the Dhamma Theatre Foundation’s youth outreach programs that fuse entertainment and education to give troubled young lives creative outlets. Find more information online.
FIND IT:
Hua Hin Skate Park
62/70 Phet Kasem Road
Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan
