Ramping up skating options

A redevelopment of Picton’s skatepark halfpipe is set to make it more accessible for riders after years of being considered too difficult to enjoy.

The original concrete ramp was too steep and long for most skaters to ride, with uneven paving leading to some nasty falls.

However, thanks to the collaborative efforts of Council, local skaters and Nelson business Surface Ramps, the skate halfpipe due to be opened next week aims to see more skaters, scooters and BMX bikers of all skill levels using the public facilities.

Builder Shane Naughton of Surface Ramps says that having those who would use the facility involved in design and development results in a better park.

“We’ve been given some great input about what local people want to see at the skatepark, so we’ve connected the new ramp into the old construction and added more options from a smaller pipe to the same size as the original one, altogether.

“I think difficulties from the old ramp came from it not being built by skaters – it was a sheer drop with rough concrete and there wasn’t any coping, so it wasn’t very well used.

“It helps that I and some of the building teams are skaters too, so we are able to design with the skaters in mind and almost be the crash test dummies ourselves”.

The new wooden additions will be covered in a ‘shark skin’ layer for softer crash landings, and it is hoped to be a centrepiece for both local riders and those passing through Picton.

Two eager skaters, Tommy and Ollie, say they’re very keen to try the new ramp out when it opens later this week.

“I wasn’t able to skate the old halfpipe because it was too steep, so the new ramp will really help me to get better as a skater”, says Tommy. “It’s going to be fun to be able to drop in to the ramp, because before only really good skaters could so not many people used it”, adds Ollie.